Globe Corner Blogs

A post from one of the newest in the Globe Corner Bookstore family, Sam:

We began the day just after sunrise by searching for breakfast and a much needed cup of coffee. Driving north from Northampton, we spotted the classic polished steel siding and large neon lettering of the Whately Diner, Fillin’ Station. This original eatery from the 1960s was packed with hungry patrons and was complete with working jukeboxes and a scalloped chrome back wall behind the bar. Grabbing the few remaining stools at the end of the counter, we enjoyed hot eggs and pancakes as well as the speedy service keeping our coffee cups filled. Our fellow breakfasters consisted of a diverse group of families, truckers, tourists and locals all in search of a quick meal. After our meal and a quick read of the local newspaper we headed back to the road north toward Greenfield.

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New York Pride Parade: photo by Betsy

While I always expect a little madness when I visit New York City, I did not realize, getting off the five hour bus ride from Boston to New York, that this particular Sunday was the culminating event of Gay Pride week: the Pride Parade. This alone would, under normal circumstances, have the already hot, crowded city buzzing a bit louder than usual, but the middle of the World Cup (Germany vs. England and Argentina vs. Mexico) also fell on this weekend. This meant that both admittedly rowdy crowds would be celebrating and I would be going along for the ride.

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National Geographic Trails Illustrated St. John Island

A guest post by Lorie K., winner of the Funny Family Vacation Story Contest

There are two ways to experience the Caribbean: The first is to enjoy a resort vacation with Mai Tais on the beach, massages, and fabulous meals while watching the sunset; the other is the way my family decided to do it – camping during monsoon season. After getting through the embarrassment of running through Laguardia Airport on Christmas Day to catch our plane with tents, sleeping bags, and coolers wrapped with duct tape in tow, I thought the worst of going camping on St. John island was over. I had visions of snorkeling, beach combing, relaxing with my parents and sisters after a harrowing first semester at law school, and possibly meeting a cute boy… oh, the folly of dreams! Instead, I found myself sleeping on the ground in a constant puddle due to sudden rain outbursts, slathering myself with aloe to relieve the sunburn, and trying to digest food cooked over a Bunsen burner. And no cute boys would deem to approach me on the beach with my dad lurking nearby in his black knee-high socks!
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Independence Brewing's Pale Ale - photo by Llalan

As soon as I got off the plane in Austin we headed to happy hour at a local Italian restaurant, Sagra. Half-price pizzas and cheap, good beer. Tried a few local brews like an Independence pale ale. Then, the sun still being high in the sky and the heat oppressive, we napped on the couch for a few hours, the two cats curled next to us leaving splotches of fur on our sweaty skin.  Next came the pool where we experimented with synchronized swimming (it’s harder than it looks) and the day ended on the patio of the nearby Dog and Duck Pub. “And this is our life,” my friend smiled. I’m moving to Austin.

I took in a few of Austin’s best-known sites while there: we revisited Barton Springs, ate breakfast tacos, took in the State Capitol, and visited as many outdoor eating establishments as possible. One thing Austin does better than any other city I’ve ever seen is the patio. Specifically the patio bar.

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Julia Child's Kitchen at the Smithsonian - photo by Cecilia

I count 39 museums and galleries in the Washington DC’s Official Visitor’s Guide, and I read that the Smithsonian alone has 19 separate museums. It is my last day here, and I have only one afternoon to see something of this city. When I was in DC two years ago, we visited the Mall, the White House, the Natural History Museum, and walked Constitution Avenue. With the “basics” covered on this rainy afternoon, the obvious selection was a museum. I just had to choose from those 39+ options. Looking at the map in the city’s visitors guide, I discover the National Museum of American History (one of the Smithsonian’s museums), and I decide to visit when I  read that Julia Child’s kitchen and Kermit the Frog are there.

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I am generally not a big sports fan…which can be a bit of a problem living in Boston. I grew up on Pac-10 football and golf, but every four years I do catch World Cup Fever.

During the last World Cup I was spending the month of July in Sarajevo, Bosnia. I had rented a small room from my beloved “adopted” Bosnian Grandma, Tecvida. She soon began to treat me as family and not just as a traveler that she had taken in to help support her meager pension. She is a Bosnian Muslim, but explained to me that I could eat all the pork and drink all the alcohol I wanted in her house; she just asked that I please not disturb her during her prayers.

During my stay, I learned many things from her. She taught me how to cook some dishes -  including some vegetarian dishes, a lot of Bosnian vocabulary, how to properly cover my head so I could enter the non-touristy mosques, but maybe most importantly she taught me about football and the importance of the World Cup. Continue Reading »

A guest post from fellow horse race-goer Kerry Skemp

Turf Race: photo by Kerry

Baltimore may be famous for its gritty nature, but the city’s also home to a slightly more upscale activity: horse racing. Pimlico Race Course hosts the Preakness Stakes, the second leg in horse racing’s Triple Crown, sandwiched between the noble Kentucky Derby and the oft-forgotten Belmont Stakes (which happened Saturday, June 4). Though less famous than the Derby, the Preakness Stakes is actually older—first run in 1873. These days, each Preakness has the hope of a Triple Crown contender. Many folks cheer for the Derby champ to finish the 1 3/16 mile race first, while others root for a longshot to come out on top. Regardless of who wins, it’s difficult not to be entertained by the Preakness’ unique blend of blue collar and bluebood, a tribute to Baltimore’s working class spirit. And with Baltimore a relatively quick, cheap trip from much of the East Coast, there’s no reason not to check it out next May. These tips from my own recent Preakness experience may help guide your experience.

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Photo by Llalan

There are days when I am so hungry that nothing I have in the pantry will do. No local take-out will even satisfy me. In fact, nothing in this entire state will sate my hunger.

On this fine, sunny Saturday morning, I am starving. I do not, however, want a pastry from the 7-11 across the street. What I want right now – right now -  is fresh pineapple from Thailand. It comes in a little clear plastic bag with a wooden stick to stab each piece with, juice collecting in the bottom corners. Every triangle of fruit melts in my mouth and I eat it all, even though it gives my tongue painful little bumps. It’s worth it.

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Bruges Canals: Photo by Kate

Bruges is beautiful…  It’s an incredible place to see: a tiny town of canals and swans, weeping willows and ivy, and not a single building that looks like it was built after the year 1500. Brick gingerbread houses with stepped Dutch roofs, tiny cobblestone bridges crossing calm canals, and shady squares with gnarly old trees and tweeting birds. It’s all yours… to share with about 20,000 other tourists! Really, it’s so crowded with tourists there that it’s almost enough to make you lose your appetite for waffles. We found two pretty good ways to avoid the hordes: first, get to the sites you really want to see as early as possible, and second: get a bike! Continue Reading »

Kabouter and shrine--Photo by Kate

This town has a funny tourism schtick: blue gnomes. Technically, I think they are called kabouters. What are kabouters, you ask? According to Wikipedia, they are Dutch leprechauns. From what I’ve been able to decipher from the (wooden) kabouters I’ve seen posted around this Belgian town, they seem to be little men that live in and around oversize red mushrooms with white polka dots. Children like them; they like children. I think they are religious, since the local church has a kabouter at the top of its spire, and this particular kabouter to the right keeps vigil next to a statue of the Virgin Mary. Continue Reading »