Category Archives: Essence of Travel

Initial Impressions: Alabama Haiku

Posted on July 12, 2015 by matthew

Welcome to Alabama Haiku Continue reading →

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When the Real is Surreal

Posted on July 1, 2014 by matthew

It all seemed pretty normal until I thought about it. I’m just on vacation wandering the streets in a strange city, but it doesn’t feel strange because I am actually experiencing it first person. Until I look up and realize how surreal this is to be in Graz, Austria. Continue reading →

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Beer Garden in the Rain

Posted on June 26, 2014 by matthew

First night in Innsbruck.  It’s started raining again.  But I’m sheltered safely in the beer garden under an umbrella, not planning to leave soon.  My feet, pants, and umbrella are already wet so it’s not in an effort to stay … Continue reading →

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I Heard My Language On the Train

Posted on June 25, 2014 by matthew

The American voice on the train stood out above the consonants and vowels of all the other languages. Continue reading →

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Gaudi and a State of Beige

Posted on April 11, 2014 by matthew

How the architecture of Antoni Gaudí in Barcelona makes me crave color. Continue reading →

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Traveling as a Mortal

Posted on January 15, 2014 by matthew

I had a disturbing thought while driving today, which I am typing up without much additional thought.  Is travel really a reminder of our mortality, as much as a celebration of our living? We travel to places on our bucket … Continue reading →

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Moved by the Movies

Posted on June 25, 2013 by matthew

Vienna, I fell in love with you in a movie. But you have not been my only one. I fell in love with Paris and Venice, too, even though they have never looked at only me. Continue reading →

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King of the Urinals

Posted on June 10, 2013 by matthew

I realized today that I am magic. When I walked out of the men’s room at the Atlanta Airport, the urinals flushed in unison as if to thank me for stopping by.
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Evening in Esperanza

Posted on June 3, 2013 by matthew

The evening sounds of Esperanza, a small village on the island of Vieques Continue reading →

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We Only Notice You When You’re Gone

Posted on June 1, 2013 by matthew

A visit to San Juan made me wonder: Why do we notice the abandoned more on vacation than when at home? Continue reading →

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