”Machine Gun Nest”

Used a crowdsourced map to find this spot, identified as “Machine Gun Nest.” It’s actually an abutment of the former Washington Avenue Bridge. I’m looking at today’s double-deck Washington Avenue Bridge which connects University of Minnesota campuses across the Mississippi from one another.

A Corner of Japan

Paused preparations for our upcoming home move to seek comfort (food) at our local Japanese restaurant, Zen Box Izakaya: tonkotsu ramen. NHK (Japanese television) was showing a segment about cleaning airport toilets. “It’s good to think of others,” declared one of the cleaners.

Settlers’ Home

Walked with a friend through the St. Paul campus of the University of Minnesota and surrounding neighborhoods. Found this original settlers’ home and windpump on the edge of the State Fairgrounds.

The Time I Sneaked onto a Night Train from Communist East Berlin to Prague

August 1972. My brother and I stood in front of the Brandenburg Gate in West Berlin. We had just arrived from London on our first flight ever. The flight was cheap by 1972 standards: just £14. In 2018 pounds that’s £181 (US$230), a lot of money for us: I was an undergraduate, and my brother…… Continue reading The Time I Sneaked onto a Night Train from Communist East Berlin to Prague