Imagine you are a Turkish soldier in the year 1552. You and 40,000 of your fellow warriors have been marauding across Europe, gleefully sacking towns and declaring victory for the Ottoman Empire. When you reach the gates of Eger, Hungary, you are expecting another easy win. Your large force lays siege to a castle defended […]
Destinations
The Royal Palace of Godollo, Hungary
Although Hungary is now a democratic republic, that hasn’t always been the case. The Austrian Hapsburg Monarchy controlled parts of Hungary from the 16th century until the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian Empire at the end of World War I. During the 18th century, Count Antal Grassalkovich, an influential Hungarian nobleman and confidant of Empress Maria Theresa, […]
China Couture: Having Clothes Made in Shanghai
Shopping in Shanghai can be surprisingly limited for those with a mid-range budget and Western tastes and sizes. Chinese boutiques are plentiful but are often stocked with a dizzying array of animal prints and sequins, not to mention the petite non-Western sizes. High-end global brands such as Prada and Gucci are well-represented and the city […]
Christmas in DC: The National Christmas Tree
While perhaps not as famous as the evergreen that draws millions to Rockefeller Center in New York City every year, the National Christmas Tree in Washington, DC, has been an American tradition since 1923. Calvin Coolidge was the first U.S. president to illuminate a tree on the Ellipse behind the White House. Thus the National […]
Christmas in DC: Holiday Boat Parade of Lights
Having recently returned to the States, I am eager to immerse myself in Christmas spirit. While Shanghai did its best to decorate for the holidays, the effect was often more comical than festive. America, on the other hand, revels in seasonal cheer. When I heard Christmas tunes blaring from stores at the mall the day after […]