Exploring the World
International travel has been one of the great teachers of my life. Walking through ancient streets, standing before monuments, and sharing moments with people from different cultures has expanded not only my understanding of the world but also of myself. Each journey has left me with new stories, new perspectives, and a deeper appreciation for the beauty and resilience woven into every corner of our globe.
Recent Posts
Rosenborg Castle – Denmark
While Erin and I were visiting Copenhagen, we toured Rosenborg Castle and stepped directly into Denmark’s royal history. The castle was built in the early 17th century by King Christian IV, one of Denmark’s most ambitious monarchs. Originally constructed as a summer residence in 1606 and later expanded into the Dutch Renaissance-style castle that stands today. […]
Taj Mahal – Acra, India
There are famous landmarks all around the globe. Sometimes I will go out of my way to visit them, and sometimes I will not. On my first trip to India, I did not feel the need to make the journey to the Taj Mahal. But on my second trip, Erin and I traveled to Agra […]
Museum for Human Rights – Winnipeg, Manitoba
Before heading to the airport after teaching in Winnipeg, we had a couple of hours and chose to explore the Canadian Museum for Human Rights. It is not a traditional museum in either its design or its purpose. The building itself rises in glass and stone, with walkways that gradually lead upward. The museum is relatively new, […]
Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp – Berlin Germany
For me, exploring history means looking at the good, the bad, and the ugly. Traveling to Germany was a challenging choice for Marty. Our first German city was Berlin, a beautiful and vibrant place that embraces music, the arts, and an extraordinary culinary scene. Yet it was also here that we visited our first concentration camp: […]
Cobh Harbor – Ireland
Erin and I spent time driving along the coast of Ireland, exploring small towns and harbors along the way. One stop that stayed with me was the town of Cobh, a beautiful port city in County Cork known for its steep streets and rows of brightly colored homes overlooking the harbor. Walking along the waterfront […]
Jan Karski – Warsaw, Poland
While walking through Warsaw, I came upon a bronze monument that drew my attention. Unlike many statues where the figure stands high on a pedestal, this one shows a man quietly seated in a chair, holding a document in his hand. The plaque tells the story of Jan Karski, one of the most remarkable witnesses of […]
“Hell” – Grand Caymans
On the island of Grand Cayman, there is a place literally called “Hell.” Hell is a small area of jagged, black limestone formations in West Bay, Grand Cayman. This is iron shore, sharp, craggy coral limestone that has been shaped over centuries by salt, wind and erosion. The formations are dark, uneven and twisted into […]
Gothic Barcelona Cathedral – Spain
Standing before the towering walls of Barcelona Cathedral, the structure reminds us of just how ambitious medieval builders dared to be. The construction of the cathedral began in 1298, during Barcelona’s golden age as a Mediterranean trading power. What we walked through today is largely the product of more than 150 years of work. The main Gothic body […]
Gauguin moment on Taboga Island – Panama
While in Panama, we took a ferry across the Gulf to Taboga Island to spend the day on the beach and enjoy some local food. The ride itself was pleasant as the busy skyline of Panama City faded and we approached this small island known for its bright buildings. The beach itself was disappointing, but […]
Berlin Holocaust Memorial – Germany
There are places that we visit, and then there are places we enter. This memorial in Berlin is one of those places. From a distance, the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, appears like a vast field of concrete blocks stretching across the city near the Brandenburg Gate. But as we walk into it, the […]
Brandenburg Gate – Berlin Germany
While visiting Berlin, the Brandenburg gate quickly becomes more than just a landmark, it becomes a focal point of the city’s history. Standing at Pariser Platz, we faced a structure built between 1788 and 1791 under King Frederick William II of Prussia. Designed by architect Carl Gottheard Langhans, the gate was inspired by classical Greek architecture. Its […]
Tulum Archaeological Zone – Mexico
While vacationing in Mexico, we traveled to Tulum. We walked through the stone entrance and out toward the cliff overlooking the Caribbean Sea. The building in our family photo is part of El Castillo, the principal structure at the site. Tulum was constructed between 1200 and 1500 AD during the Late Postclassic period of Maya […]
