Canada Slim and the Visionary

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 7 October 2018 “I caution you. Expect much!” (Hugo Gernsback, Electrical Experimenter, January 1919) Above: Hugo Gernsback (1884 – 1967)   In my apartment we have many things. These things seem so commonplace that we have taken this electrical world in which we live in for granted. Amongst the flotsam and jetsam and… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Visionary

Canada Slim and the Body Snatchers

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 4 September 2018 I should be dead. In fact, for at least a quarter of a century. Back in Canada, I tried to chop a log. The axe bounced off the log and sliced into my foot. A mile in the bush limp, a drive home, a quick dash to the local hospital… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Body Snatchers

Canada Slim and the Magnificent Homeland

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 26 August 2018 There is something about the politics of a number of nations today (the United States, North Korea, the Philippines, Venezuela) that reminds me again and again of the late Italian Fascist dictator Benito Mussolini. Above: Il Duce Benito Mussolini (1883 – 1945) I have written about Mussolini before – his… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Magnificent Homeland

Canada Slim and the Museum of Innocence

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 19 August 2018 It has been ages since I have written about Turkey, but those who know me are aware that there are both many things I adore about this bridge between Asia and Europe and many things I abhor. Of the little exploration I have done in this great republic (the Turquoise… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Museum of Innocence

Canada Slim and the Family of Mann

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 12 August 2018 Perhaps I should have been recovering from yesterday’s Street Parade in Zürich, at present the most attended techno-parade in the world. Officially it is a demonstration for freedom, love and tolerance attended by up to one million people. In reality it has all the character of a popular festival, despite… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Family of Mann

Canada Slim and the War of the Oranges

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 6 August 2018 Back a few days ago from my third trip to Portugal, my first to Porto and the north of the country. The most western nation of continental Europe, Portugal shares the Iberian Peninsula with Spain, but this land of foggy fishing villages and tiny hamlets set deep in cork forests… Continue reading Canada Slim and the War of the Oranges

Canada Slim and the Holy Field of Sparrows

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 20 July 2018 I have three books in my possession that offer three different ways to consider the Serbian capital city of Belgrade…. I can choose to be as Chris Farmer and be Grumpy in Belgrade, I can choose to be as Momo Kapor and feel The Magic of Belgrade, or I can… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Holy Field of Sparrows

Canada Slim and the Battlefield Brotherhood

Landschlacht, Switzerland, Sunday, 8 July 2018 Sometimes it is difficult not to believe in fate. It strikes me as curious how my life, without planning it at times, seems to lend my writing its directions. My wife and I live only a stone´s throw away from Arenenberg (a chateau famous for being the final domicile… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Battlefield Brotherhood

Canada Slim and the Breviary of Bartholomew

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 30 June 2018 “Writing a blog about everything that happens to you will honestly help here.” (Therapist) “Nothing happens to me.”(John Watson, MD) (“A Study in Pink“, Sherlock) Two months ago (30 April) I began this post. Four days later I was involved in an accident resulting in both arms broken. After 3… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Breviary of Bartholomew

Canada Slim and the Lakeside Pilgrimage

Landschlacht, Switzerland, 24 April 2018 For quite some time in this, what has become my travel blog, I have written about my adventures and discoveries retracing the paths and the life story of Swiss reformer Huldrych Zwengli (between accounts of travels in London, Italy and Serbia). Above: Huldrych Zwingli (1484 – 1531) Using Marcel and… Continue reading Canada Slim and the Lakeside Pilgrimage