Thanks to the Kia Boys and Hyundai Bean Counters it feels like everyone wants to steal my Hyundai.   Soon after moving into our new townhouse condo  a number of our neighbors had their car’s catalytic converter stolen while it sat in front of their house. I knew it was all about “accessing” the platinum and palladium contained within that helps neutralize harmful engine exhaust. All of which confirmed my prior experience  on the subject: only criminals can make money dealing in precious...

"The American who has known Europe much can never again see his country with the single eye of his ante-European days." -Henry James, The Ambassadors If you've never been, there are far better primers on the City of Love than I can offer. If you have, then you have an idea what's what. Either way, I've decided to focus on the prose, and not on the sights. Le Métro Our flight from Tallinn landed at Orly Airport (ORY), which was quite convenient as it appeared the Paris Metro Line 14 could...

Estonia has always been my favorite Baltic State.¹ Took the Tallink ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn . The ferry is a very nice way to travel in Europe. No TSA or carry on/checked bag shenanigans, just arrive at the ferry terminal, scan your boarding card, stroll onboard, take a seat at a two-top by the window in the Sea Pub, order one last lonkero , watch the Baltic go by, then arrive Tallin exactly two hours later, stroll offboard and then to the hotel. After drinking one too many lonkero in...