Barcelona. November, 2012

Bubble stuff! I loved blowing bubbles when I was a kid. But never did my creations even approach the proportions of this artist outside our hotel’s front door in Barcelona’s Barri Gòtic neighborhood. That little boy on the right was fascinated, too, watching patiently as the man in the plaid pants created huge bubbles, one after another. Of course, a little boy’s patience has its limits and it wasn’t long before he raced after the soapsuds, popping them all. Or, to be generous, embracing them.

Pinar del Rió, Cuba. February, 2012

“Use it up. Wear it out. Make it do. Or do without.” This was once told to me by the WASPiest woman I’ve ever known. And yet, it seems somehow appropriate to the Cubans I met both in Havana and (especially) in the outlying areas. Look at these oranges, served for dessert at an outdoor tourist restaurant in this rainforest community. So simple, yet so beautifully rendered. Was this done to make the fruit more attractive? Or was the zest used in another dish? Either way, that little rhyme may apply.

Venice. October, 2012

Let’s face it, Venice is beautiful no matter the weather. In sunshine, it dazzles. And in fog, such as on this recent morning, it emerges more suggestive and mysterious. Just look at this rooftop of the Basilica of San Marco: Saint Mark himself, beneath him his symbolic lion posed with his gospel on a blue field of stars, a procession of angels paying tribute, multiple spires and decorative doodads. (For those wishing a vicarious trip to La Serenissima under even more mysterious and foggy circumstances, have a look at the Julie Christie/Donald Sutherland film Don’t Look Now.)

Beyoğlu, İstanbul. October, 2010

I love the night life. Well, within reason, of course. Fortunately there are plenty of others who do, without reason, and they’re usually a lot of fun to observe. Take this wonderful narrow backstreet we passed in Istanbul on an early autumn night. A few outdoor tables, some strings of lights, bottles of raki, music, lots of friends and conversation. The amazing thing to me was that this was not a big production devised by some commercial profit-maker as it might be in, say, oh, somewhere else. Instead, it seemed thrown together by folks who just wanted to have a good time. And to let their friends have a good time, too. They succeeded.

Providence, RI. January, 2013

On a recent visit with my friend Simon to the museum at the Rhode Island School of Design (his alma mater), we had the great pleasure of seeing an exhibit/installation by artist Alejandro Diaz. Diaz blends elements of Pop Art, text, irony, self-mocking and other related elements to create some beautiful and provocative results. He’s known for his black-marker-on-cardboard signs that carry such legends as “By Disappointment Only,” “Will Work For Ever,” “I Beg to Differ,” “May Contain Peanuts” and “In the future, everyone will be famous for $15.” This sign outside the museum is Diaz’s work, too. As is the promotion that promises a toaster to everyone who initiates a new museum membership or renews an old one. “While supplies last.” (By the way, this sign violates truth in advertising. Probably a good thing.)

Woodman's, Essex, MA. December 30, 2011

Let others revel in their holiday traditions that find them unwrapping gifts under the tree, singing carols with family and friends, traveling great distances to visit relatives during the year’s worst weather. My favorite end-of-year custom is one Jay and I established many years ago and one which we happily maintain every December 30: an off-season fried seafood dinner at Woodman’s. Free of the overwhelming crowds, this place is still a gold mine whenever we head over there, just a few miles from our Gloucester home. And now that they offer gluten-free takes on all of their offerings (except crab cakes and, sadly, onion rings), it welcomes flour/sugar-challenged diners without their having to cave. Seen above: the “Down River” combo, featuring clams, scallops, haddock, shrimp, french fries and, yes!, onion rings.

Kadıköy, İstanbul. June, 2007

Oh, what wonders befall the intrepid tourist who bravely crosses the Bosphorus by ferry to explore the Asian side of Istanbul. First of all, there’s Çiya, my favorite restaurant in all of the city (and one that’s slowly being recognized by a growing number of international fans. A meal there is a thrilling adventure.) Then there are the numerous shops offering honey and yogurt, an amazing assortment of olives, candied items that boggle the mind (candied tomatoes? baby eggplants? olives?) And that’s even before you get to the weekday outdoor market further up the road where farmers come in from the country to offer strange greens and herbs, the ripest fruit, the freshest produce, along with vendors of socks, underwear, kitchen utensils...oh, and these wigs and hairpieces in all the shades you might want. Or need.