travel
Cooks Chasm Bridge
Port Townsend waterfront
In the rain forest
Sunrise – Port Gamble
Balcony on orange
Last sun of the decade
VENICE
Night wheel
Mill Bay Beach
Berlin
WordCamp Europe, the catalyst for the travel, was held in Berlin this year and kick-offed the EU 2019 trip. Berlin is a large and beautiful city. The architecture, food, public transportation, and shopping were great. The open squares and beer gardens were plentiful—European cities know how to create large social spaces. There was also a lovely smell throughout the city due to the thousands of linden trees that were in bloom.
We stayed in the southern part of Mitte, the central borough of the city. The location was fantastic. It was easy to walk to all of the attractions and food of central Berlin. Our hotel was next to a U2 station, making it super convenient to get to the WCEU venue and to other districts within the city.
The city is extremely bicycle friendly. The bicyclist… lets just say that pedestrians are third in the hierarchy of owning the sidewalks and streets. 1-bicycles 2-cars 3-pedestrians. It was, however, impressive to see how many people ride their bikes as their primary mode of transportation. It is inspirational.
In dealing with its past, the city doesn’t hide the atrocities that happened in and around the area while under control by the Nazi Party. Rather, it is magnified. There are many markers, monuments, and memorials throughout the city to the memory of those that were taken and/or killed. It is a dramatic reminder that people are people and that we need to push back on anyone in power who divides people based on gender, race, religion, etc.
St. Marienkirche Volksbühne theatre Sculpture at a Jewish cemetery Brandenburg Gate Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe Graffiti on the side of a building View of Fernehturm outisde of a train station Sunset over the Spree One of the train lines at Alexanderplatz station Fernsehturm broadcasting tower Französischer Dom The Spree through central Berlin Memorial to the Sinti and Roma of Europe murdered under national socialism
Vltava
Central Praha
Katedrála svatého Víta
Schwanenboot
SABOTAGE

Burning of the castle
Swiss lake and mountains
The chapel of the Brotherhood of Death and Prayer
Lake Zürich ferry

At the station
Fernsehturm Berlin
Happy Solstice
Sausage #1
Hawai’i Island Spring 2019
Ocean blues
Golden labyrinth
Belgrade 2018
Visit Belgrade.
The Serbian capital is a vibrant, energetic, and friendly city, with interesting architecture, large pedestrian areas, and plenty to consume. And it is very cost friendly.
I traveled to Belgrade to join about 2,100 others to attend WordCamp Europe. The city wasn’t a travel destination that I had ever considered. Thank you to the WordCamp Europe team for choosing it as the 2018 destination. Great choice.
The city’s architecture is a mix of classic European, modern, and brutalist. Many of the buildings show the scars from a history of conflict (most recent being the NATO bombings in 1999) and foreign occupation of the millennia-old city.
2018 Men’s World Cup
A particular treat of the trip was watching the Serbian Men’s National Fútbol team on a giant projection screen set up in a city square showing their opening match in pool play against Costa Rica. The crowd was energetic and loud. Especially when Serbia scored the games only goal early in the second half.
Consumption
While the food in Belgrade was decent, the drinking was great, including a local favorite, Slivovitz, a plum brandy. The bars are unique and offer a great mix of local beers. Miner’s Pub was especially a delight with its funky art space and excellent Serbian craft beers. We went multiple times.
Interesting street art
And a few fucks.
Nikola Tesla Museum
Belgrade is home to the Nikola Tesla Museum. A must visit. This little museum has fun gadgets, presentations, and demonstrations. Tesla also happens to have one of the coolest urns I have ever seen (photo below).
3am gyros

The gyros from Solunac, across the street from where we were staying, were the best I have ever eaten. We went twice to be sure. It is likely that the 3am-ish eating time might have played a significant role in the enjoyment, but it is such a great memory.
Visit Belgrade
The city has a strong service industry. Good food. Excellent cheap drinks. And friendly people. I am looking forward to returning.