Author Archives: Fred Hoyt
How Beer Saved the World
May 17, 2019 Sandton City, South Africa How Beer Saved the World was not a term paper turned in (year after year) by the Sigs, although I know several who might have penned the original. Instead, it was our introduction to “The World of SAB Beer” museum, belonging to the newest member of the InBev … Continue reading
Zim Zam Nam Bot, 4 countries, three days
May 14, 2019 I think I dressed appropriately today. My polo read “Grumpiest old man.” That’s because we had to wake up this morning at 5 am. My hat, however, is emblazoned, “Bring on the Adventure,” an old Canadian Scout motto I’ve made my own. Fortunately, the latter dominated over the former, and it’s difficult … Continue reading
Mum’s the Word
May 12, 2019 Livingstone, Zambia If you’re looking for a way to impress Mum on Mother’s Day, here’s what worked well for me today: First, select a four-star resort in an exotic location. Say, Zambia, a country of 16 million people, with 72 languages, 11 of which are considered major enough to be province specific … Continue reading
Scenery
Cape Town, May 8, 2019 The Chinese word for scenery combines the characters for mountain and water. In that sense, the Western Cape certainly has the two, which help explain both the allure and the history of the Cape Colony. The Cape of Good Hope was first rounded by the Portuguese explorer, Bartholomew Diaz in … Continue reading
School Started Today
May 6, 2019 School started today when we officially gathered the 30 faculty who are on this trip for what was our (so first day of schoolish) introduction to the teachers, each other, and the topic of the course. Professor Rolfe, our host from the University of South Carolina spoke for about an hour and … Continue reading
Two Europes in Catalunya
March 17, 2019 It seems fitting that as we entered Spain, we were greeted with a sign (in English) that touted “Self- determination is a right, not a crime.” A century ago, at Versailles, Woodrow Wilson would have been pleased. Today that sentiment is recaptured in Spain by the efforts of Catalonia to reverse the … Continue reading
Adore Andorra?
Europe’s smallest country March 15, 2019 Andorra is Europe’s smallest country; not in the EU, but an independent entity nonetheless, it has diplomatic representation, its own stamps, uses the Euro, and has maintained its independence for over a thousand years by playing off Spain and France. That’s the case today, where it’s co-leaders are President … Continue reading
Two Nights, 1 Knight, 1 Lady in 13th Century Carcassonne
March 13, 2019 Carolyn’s other bucket list stop on this trip was the medieval fortress at Carcassonne, the best preserved (or perhaps restored) architectural gem of its kind in Europe. It’s no wonder it was important as long ago as Roman times (typically, the Romans founded the locations for the great cities of Europe). It’s … Continue reading
Bored in Bordeaux? No way!
March 10, 2019 I knew I wouldn’t be bored in Bordeaux as soon as we stepped off the plane at the airport. Our guide met us and offered to take our bags to the car. When he got there, he said, “Carolyn’s wheelchair is in the front trunk, so I’ll put your bags in the … Continue reading
San Miguel De Allende
January 6, 2019 We left Mexico City yesterday to come 150 miles north to San Miguel de Allende, birthplace of one of the four heroes of Mexican independence. Mexico City of 9-25 million was much more modern than I expected. I should know better; the capitals of major countries tend to be ponderous and pretentious, … Continue reading