The Lisbon Earthquake
Earthquakes, uncommon as they are, are as realistic to me as World War II or a sensible lawyer. I know they exist but I’ve never experienced them directly. This makes it
Prague’s Golden Sun
I’ve written about the Black Sun of Prague and the connection between esotericism and this symbol. Prague also features a Golden Sun on the facade of one its buildings too. (The
Istanbul’s Galata Tower
Like any self-respecting city, Istanbul is not short of towering city blocks providing incredible views. One of the oldest towers is the Galata Tower which overlooks the Bosphorus straits.
The Admiralty Arch and Queen Victoria
Stand in Trafalgar Square in the middle of London and gaze south-west at the landmark Admiralty Arch that leads to the Mall. Its association with Britain’s Queen Victoria is not
Betraying your Brother in Leiria
The long walk up to the castle of Leiria, in Portugal, is paved with cobblestones that are slippery when wet. I gingerly trekked up until, gasping for air, I reached the
Slapping a French Empress in Turkey
Once you cross the Bosphorus Straits from Europe to Asia, one of the first places you can visit is Beylerbeyi Palace. This is where you would slap a French Empress
The Black Sun of Prague
I’ve written about symbols visible in Celetna Street in Prague – The Black Madonna, the White Peacock and the Powder Tower. At No 8, you can see a decorative Baroque symbol of
Discovering Nazareth in Portugal
Along the Atlantic coast, in Portugal’s central region, lies the town of Nazaré – literally, Nazareth. It sprawls over a clifftop and a beach below the cliffs and is a
The Myth of Sylvanus
Throughout the ages, man had a certain respect for nature. Many cultures imagined that there must be some spirit or god responsible for nature and the wilderness. The Romans called
Crossing Continents, the Quick and Easy Way
I looked up from my newspaper in down-town Şişli. I shrugged into my jacket to keep the worst of the cold wind at bay as I prepared myself. It’s not everyday