Reading Up on El Salvador’s Saint You don’t have to be Catholic to be curious about who Oscar Romero was and the impact he had—especially if you happen to be embarking on a journey to El Salvador. For those looking for a quick introduction to Oscar Romero, The Scandal of Redemption: When God Liberates the…
Tag: civil war
Visiting the Revolution through Books
American history keeps coming to me as I travel in the northeastern United States. I realize that, as a political science major, I learned more about the French and the Russian revolutions than the one had here at home. French Comte Rochambeau rode through my town; George Washington was in the area; how could I…
Not Exactly Old-World Charm
A Visit to the Deep South’s Past An exhibit at the Cabildo in New Orleans Photo credit: M. Ciavardini History is told from the perspective of the victor goes the refrain, so I am pleased to see that unpleasant bits of history—and every place has them—are addressed in the Cabildo, the museum next to St….
Running across History
Taking in Nuggets of Information A monument to the soldiers of the Confederacy in Arlington National Cemetery. A visitor might marvel at its size given the cause for which the soldiers were fighting. Photo credit: L, Tripoli Traveling back in time: On Feb. 22, 1862, Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as president of the Confederate States…
Beaches with Something Extra
The week before Labor Day is the time of summer when everyone seems to be at the beach. My days of simply sunning are long past; now when I am seeking a beach vacation, in addition to wide swaths of smooth white sand and swimmable (and preferably warm) water, I look for beaches with something…
Where We Should All Be on July 4th
In between barbeques and fireworks on Independence Day, travelers might take a few minutes to visit a cemetery containing Revolutionary War dead and give a bit of thanks. Imagine taking on a super power in a place where there were no gunpowder manufacturers—and winning. For those with the courage to serve, thank you. —Lori Tripoli…
The Ghosts of West Martello Tower
The Bashful Adventurer encounters some ghosts at West Martello Tower in Key West, FL
Arlington Strong
History classes in high school, and even in college, often, to me, were tedious exercises taught by some who just didn’t manage to bring the subject alive. It’s ironic, then, that I would be so engaged in the topic at a place for the dead: Arlington National Cemetery. Walking somewhat randomly, but generally following groups…