Never has there been such fierce competition. After some Classical Pursuits trips, we have few or now entries for our contests. But even while we were in Egypt, it was clear that a handful of travellers were snapping away with visions of photographic fame dancing through their heads. Five esteemed […]
I am frankly utterly confused about Thomas Jefferson and how we should regard him as a figure in American history. He drafted the Declaration of Independence. He was Governor of Virginia. He was the third President of the United States. He founded the University of Virginia. But as I have planned […]
If you’ve ever studied German (and maybe even if you haven’t), you’re likely to find this short essay to be hilarious. Published as Appendix D from Twain’s 1880 book A Tramp Abroad, this comedic gem outlines the pitfalls one will encounter when trying to wrap one’s mind around the torturous […]
I grew up with the Mummers. I am from Philadelphia and mummery in the US is as unique to Philadelphia as Mardi Gras is to New Orleans. The tradition of Philadelphia Mummery started in the late 17th century as a continuation of the Old World customs of ushering in the New Year. […]
I am a dual citizen, having grown up in the US and but living in Canada since 1975. American children receive a strong grounding in their country’s history. Of course history at that age is taught with a biased boosterism. So, as a child I placed all those founding fathers in […]
Andrew Ignatieff is a world traveller but is NOT world weary. Andrew has worked for many years in international development in all corners of the globe. But one place he had never been was India. India called to Andrew and he went. He has been back six times and become […]
Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–1809) and the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776). Jefferson was one of the most influential Founding Fathers, known for his promotion of the ideals of republicanism in the United States. […]
I suppose I am not alone in having gaping holes in what I assume should be common knowledge. The Weimar Republic is one such chasm. Classical Pursuits will be visiting Weimar this June as part of our Made in Germany trip. In planning this trip with the help of […]
The last time I was in India was in the fall of 1988. I still have trouble finding words to describe the experiences of those 5 weeks. How can I describe the feeling of stepping back in time to the Victorian era when we were invited to tea at the […]
Now that my Camino journey is over – well, at least the daily walking part of it, I thought some might be interested in one of the most spectacular rituals associated with the pilgrimage. It is the Botafumerio, the largest incense burner in the world, that goes swinging across the […]