From the land of inside EU politics to the former seat of the Hanseatic empire… our group of 19 fellows broke into three parts today, with six of us landing in Lübeck while the others went to either Berlin or Copenhagen. I will admit here that I was jealous at first of my colleagues going … Continue reading
Category Archives: Travel
Cultivating interest in the European Union
Brussels hit the mid 80’s today and it was heavenly. The sidewalks were swarming with people in summery dresses and shirtsleeves enjoying ice cream or simply time outside. On my way to a meeting, I discovered Jubelpark, a gorgeous and huge park crowned by a triumphal arch that celebrates Belgium’s fiftieth anniversary. At the entrance, … Continue reading
Behind closed doors
Today I went to NATO headquarters, but all I can share with you in the visual sense is this photo from the parking lot outside of the entry gates. We checked our phones and cameras at the door. Last night, I attended a reception at the home of an American diplomat in the tony Uccle … Continue reading
Port of Antwerp
Today we explored Antwerp, starting from the central rail station and working our way to the port. But first you should know that Antwerp is located in Flanders. Belgium is a Federal Parliamentary Democracy with a Constitutional Monarchy. This long string of words has real implications for governance. There is a bicameral federal legislature and … Continue reading
The tables are turned
Before leaving the United States, we met with Professor Gary Weaver of American University, to discuss intercultural communication. Such a smart move on the part of the German Marshall Fund to give us this preview and context. Culture is something that is shared: a value, belief or worldview. It’s something we may possess without knowing … Continue reading
It’s like boxing a glacier
It’s hard to imagine how enormous this monument is. It stands, he stands, like a mountain, facing the Tidal Basin and with a killer view of the Jefferson Memorial. Finally, I am a tourist in my home city. I love it. I know just enough to get around and enough has changed that there are … Continue reading
Fritekoterie
Lest you think I’m going to get too deep here with an ongoing stream of poetry, I’d like to spend the next few minutes on the topic of frites and chocolate. I have about three point one hours of free time in Brussels this coming week. Yes, I’ll take in the sights. Yes, I’ll test … Continue reading
Crow is crow, you say?
Photo of Dale Chihuly piece displayed in Las Vegas, by Nicole de Beaufort The trip begins tomorrow in Washington, D.C., my erstwhile home. The city of my youth. A monumental city, I always would say, when asked to describe it. Many people gather here because it’s the center of the free world. And during the 1980s, … Continue reading
glossy&rowdy 