In a country as old as Hungary, there has been plenty of time for men of power to make their mark; be it as a hero, a saint, or a sinner. Heroes and Saints get the good press. Sinners, not so much. And of course, one man’s hero is another man’s tyrant.
Continue reading “Heroes, Saints, and Sinners”Tag: History
Budapest
When we left off, I mentioned starting a new trip to Central Europe in a place that is considered one city, but you could consider being two cities. A few followers guessed at where that might be.
Continue reading “Budapest”Chichen Itza
It’s a wonder.
Chichen Itza is one of the new seven wonders of the world, and once on site it’s easy to see why. The place is awesome. The scale of it; the precision, especially considering they built it over 1000 years ago, without the benefits of the wheel, metal tools, or beasts of burden; the extent of the grounds – it all adds up to something special.
So if I subject you, once again (and I promise this is the last time) to Mayan pyramids, we’re going to go out on a high note.
Continue reading “Chichen Itza”Scaling A Pyramid
Finally.
After scoping out pyramid after pyramid, where the local jefes sensibly kept the mobs off of their ancient relics in the interest of preservation, as well as preventing some klutz from falling and bashing their brain pans in, I finally got to climb one of them.
Continue reading “Scaling A Pyramid”How to Pronounce Uxmal
First things first. What’s an Uxmal?
Continue reading “How to Pronounce Uxmal”Campeche
The name isn’t all that flattering, but the town, what we saw of it, was quite pleasant.
Continue reading “Campeche”Palenque
They call him El Gato.
Was it because of cat-like reflexes, or the ability to burgle rooms in high and seemingly inaccessible places? There were a few where we were going.
Continue reading “Palenque”Invasion Central
Heavy bombardment softened the defenses. At 8 AM, the bombardment stopped and the infantry attack began. By 9 AM the battle was won, and the American flag flew over Mexico City.
Continue reading “Invasion Central”The Guy With The Big Head
Once upon a time, long ago, a farmer stood in a field of maize and thought upon his tribe’s history, and wondered what might be yet to come.
Continue reading “The Guy With The Big Head”The Home of Cinco de Mayo
Sure, sure, everybody knows Cinco de Mayo is an excuse to party and enjoy Mexican food and drink. Most folks know it’s not actually Mexican Independence Day, and given the real history it’s not clear how that rumor started.
But how many folks know where Cinco de Mayo went down and why?
Continue reading “The Home of Cinco de Mayo”