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mtlibrary · 8 months

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This 17th century artwork shows a flying fish near a ship in stormy waters. This engraving is from 'An embassy from the East-India Company of the United Provinces to the Grand Tartar Cham, Emperor of China', by the Dutch writer and explorer Johan Nieuhof (1618-1672). The book describes Nieuhof's travels to India and China. This artwork is from an English translation, published in 1669.

#library #law library #mtlibrary #inns of court #libraries #rare books #history #books & libraries #london #rarebook #17th century #engraving #johan nieuhof #india #china #travel #travel writing

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deadpresidents · 5 months

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I've had these books sitting around for a couple of years now, but I finally picked up Erika Fatland's Sovietistan: Travels in Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan (BOOK | KINDLE | AUDIO) yesterday and I am burning through it and didn't even want to put it down long enough to post this. It's a good bet that any book that starts with a chapter about endlessly fascinating Turkmenistan and its crazy post-Soviet dictators -- the late, utterly ridiculous "Turkmenbashi" and the horse-obsessed dentist now in power -- is going to immediately capture my attention. The bizarre personality cults built around the dictators of Turkmenistan might actually be the one thing to shame Donald Trump because he'd be so envious of their audacity.

While I don't want my journey with Sovietistan to end as quickly as it's going to, I'm glad I also have Erika Fatland's book The Border: A Journey Around Russia Through North Korea, China, Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine, Belarus, Lithuania, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, Norway, and the Northeast Passage (BOOK | KINDLE) ready to immediately dive into afterwards. I'm also going to need to get her newest book High: A Journey Across the Himalaya Through Pakistan, India, Bhutan, Nepal, and China (BOOK | KINDLE) to follow The Border. The author, Erika Fatland, is from Norway and speaks eight languages, so she's not completely lost in these wildly different and remote former Soviet satellite republics and her writing is vivid and funny (all three books are translated into English by Kari Dickson, so cheers to her, as well). I don't read a ton of books that fall in the genre of travel writing, but I might have to if there are more like this!

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burningvelvet · 6 months

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Entertaining entry from Claire Clairmont's 1814 journal when she, Percy, and Mary Shelley were on their first trip to the continent — the same trip Mary documented in her first publication (A History of a Six Weeks' Tour, co-authored with P. Shelley):

"Saturday 20th of August. Rose late. After Breakfast wrote my Journal. Next went to take a warm Bath — and so did Shelley and Mary, for we are all in a dirty condition, never having been able to wash more than our hands and our faces since we left Paris: in the wretched hovels we put up at, there were no basons, and we had to wash at the pump as the country people did. On our way to Pontarlier, we came to a clear running shallow stream, and Shelley entreated the Driver to stop while he from under a bank could bathe himself — and he wanted Mary to do the same as the Bank sheltered one from every eye — but Mary would not — first, she said it would be most indecent, and then also she had no towel and could not dry herself — He said he would gather leaves from the trees and she could dry herself with those but she refused and said how could he think of such a thing. The driver always looked at Shelley with a wondering stare as if he thought he was rather crazy — and very likely that was the cause of his being rude to us: and refused to stop so Shelley could not bathe himself in the open air and in the middle of the day — just as if he were Adam in Paradise before his fall. Shelley sets me a task to translate from one of Rousseau's Reveries — so I could not go out and see the town which vexed me much. Shelley and Mary went out to a Bankers and he advanced them £50 upon a note of hand by Shelley. Then they looked out for a Conveyance and they met with a man of the Bureau des Postes, who although they were perfect strangers to him, went about with them for two hours, and got a Voiturier and Carriage and settled all about the price. Mary said he was captivated by Shelley's countenance and manner, for there was a great dificulty of conversing, as Shelley & Mary only know how to read French, but not to converse in it. Indeed Shelley always looks so handsome aimable, and then so fresh and uncommon as if he had landed from Heaven that unless he indulges in some fit of wildness, everybody takes a liking to him."

Source: Shelley & his Circle vol 3 (Pforzheimer)

#LEAVES #how could you think of such a thing #lol #claire clairmont #claire clairmont's diary #summer of 1814 #mary shelley #percy shelley #history of a six weeks tour #literature #english literature #letters #travel writing

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mynameisnotbug · 6 months

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i stub the cigarette on the steps of the opera house, under the gaze of Molière and Cornielle, under the glare of the angels. maybe i was born to be a visitor. maybe we were born to find these quiet moments and watch the world as it goes around us, as i sit beside the carousel and inside it. outside the theatre and inside it.

#writers #my writing #poets on tumblr #art #poetry #zine #avignon #opera house #moliere #cornielle #carousel ride #travel writing #queer poems #poems on tumblr #young poets #summer poetry #writers on tumblr

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lesselectrical · 1 year

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OK so...

If someone were to do a sort of travel blog that did reviews of different cities/hotels/attractions/etc on the basis of accessibility, diversity, minority safety, and whatnot, would that be something people want? If so, what categories would you want this person to review based on (eg wheelchair access, safety for trans people, number of confederate statues)?

#diversity #inclusion #disability rights #lgbtq #trans safety #poc rights #travel writing

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nicholaspopkey · 6 months

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A Billion Drops of Water

Passing through cities in various countries, I scatter myself, living multiple lives, entertaining different versions of myself. With a healthy detachment, I allow and accept each life that I live. Not, as I learned does not serve me, with an obsession, by which all the eggs in the basket break at once, and the city sours, and the friends I had feel like phantoms, and the only light ahead is from the torch of a night train I don’t have a ticket for, and I must leap onto it as it is rushing by, throwing my bones to the wind for the sake of landing elsewhere. I have learned better.

Somewhere, away, there is always is another sea of phantoms, but they cannot cause me anxiety because I do not yet know them as friend or foe, and so their unknown shapes are fitting and acceptable.

To build a life somewhere and have it fall apart can feel like the greatest tragedy.

But if I can love myself unconditionally, knowing that at the deepest level of consciousness, I am all I will ever have (even in relation to others), then it should not bother me to begin again. Those fresh phantoms can be trusted, must be trusted, because without hope, there is no life at all.

From city to city, I find myself expressed in separate pieces, pieces which I can only sometimes give names to, but mostly they are flashes, like the truth in dreams, drifting out of comprehension when the first thoughts of the day replace them.

These pieces of self cannot commit to a subject or object or knowledge of self, and instead, by their very existence, are more akin to a billion drops of water; they can only take shape as independent entities brought together by a serendipitous fusing. Wrapped up in a net of indescribable energia that is entirely of the moment, buzzing at a point of focus that is not created, affected, or controlled by human effort. But it wraps up these moments of clarity all the same.

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naonums · 2 months

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Navigating the Evolving Travel Trends: Past, Present, and Future✈️

The past five years have seen the travel industry undergo a seismic shift, shaped by unforeseen circumstances, evolving priorities, and technological advancements.

Past Trends (2019-2024):

1. Rise of Staycations and Local Travel: With global uncertainty, people sought comfort in familiar surroundings, boosting local tourism and staycations. This trend also fueled the popularity of unique, nearby experiences like glamping or micro-adventures.

2. Experiences over Destinations: Travelers craved deeper connections and immersion, prioritizing authentic experiences over simply ticking off landmarks. This led to a surge in cultural tours, voluntourism, and off-the-beaten-path adventures.

3. Bleisure Travel: The lines between business and leisure blurred as remote work options became more prevalent. Travelers extended business trips to include leisure activities, driving demand for flexible booking options and co-working spaces in tourist destinations.

4. Sustainability in Focus: Environmental consciousness grew, leading to a rise in eco-friendly travel choices. Travelers sought out sustainable accommodations, responsible tours, and destinations committed to conservation.

5. Tech-Driven Transformation: Technology played an increasingly crucial role, from AI-powered travel recommendations to contactless payments and immersive virtual tours. This trend also fueled the growth of travel apps and online booking platforms.

Possible Future Trends (2024-2029):

1. Hyper-Personalization: Travel will become increasingly tailored to individual preferences, with AI and machine learning creating bespoke itineraries and experiences based on unique interests, travel styles, and budgets.

2. Wellness & Retreats: The focus on mental and physical wellbeing will continue, with travelers seeking destinations and experiences that promote mindfulness, relaxation, and holistic rejuvenation.

3. Transformative Travel: The desire for personal growth and self-discovery will drive demand for transformative travel experiences, such as volunteering, cultural immersion programs, and journeys focused on personal development.

4. Space Tourism: As technology advances and costs decrease, space tourism could become more accessible, offering a unique and futuristic travel experience for a select few.

5. Metaverse Travel: Virtual and augmented reality experiences will continue to evolve, potentially offering immersive travel simulations that allow people to explore destinations without physically being there.

The past five years have painted a dynamic picture of travel trends. Driven by changing lifestyles, social values, and technological advancements, travelers have embraced experiences over mere sightseeing, pursued self-discovery through solo adventures, and sought responsible, personalized journeys.

Looking ahead, several exciting possibilities emerge. Hyper-personalization will be key, with tech facilitating highly customized itineraries that resonate deeply with individual aspirations. Wellness and retreat travel will boom, as people seek mental, physical, and spiritual rejuvenation. Additionally, destination stewardship will take center stage, with travelers actively partnering with locals to preserve cultures and environments.

This evolving landscape presents both challenges and opportunities. The travel industry must adapt to offer personalized experiences at scale, cater to the growing wellness market, and integrate sustainable practices seamlessly. Travelers, meanwhile, have the power to choose wisely, supporting responsible tourism and contributing to positive change.

While technology will play a vital role, human connection will remain paramount. Authentic interactions, cultural immersion, and meaningful experiences will be the true differentiators in this new era of travel. Ultimately, the future of travel promises a deeper, more personalized, and responsible way to explore the world, driven by our collective desire for connection, transformation, and discovery.

These are just a glimpse into the ever-evolving world of travel. As we move forward, sustainability, personalization, and transformative experiences will likely take center stage, while technology will continue to reshape how we plan, book, and experience travel. The future of travel promises to be exciting, diverse, and deeply attuned to the evolving needs and desires of travelers worldwide.

#travel writing & photography #travel writing #travel #adventure #blog #writing #trends #gif anime #gifset #dividers #cute #div cr plutism

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archersea · 2 months

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bursa, 2024

#my writing #musings #flight writing #words #travel writing #bursa 2024

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astoryfullofwoe · 7 months

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the birds

limbs heavy from exhaustion, and

head foggy from probable sunstroke,

i collapse on a bed of stone

below the famous arches

and contemplate the birds.

the stiff rock i lie on digs

into my back, and i know

i’ll be sore when i stand up,

but i don’t move;

comfortable in my discomfort.

with legs bent at the knee,

and my dress awkwardly scrunched

between my thighs and

not on the littered ground,

my feet rest on jagged cobblestone.

stone that has been here for

decades, centuries, a millennia;

stone that bears the weight of

hundreds, thousands, millions of people

and now bears mine.

how many have come before me,

and how many will come after me?

how many will lie here, just as i do now,

with lungs crushing under the weight of time?

how many will sit here and write a poem

about it? how many already have?

the question makes my head

spin more than my dehydration does.

here i lay, bumpy stone digging into my soles.

here i am, a single grain of sand

on a beach spanning infinite miles.

here i lay, with my sunglasses pinching my nose,

dizzy from heat and sticky from sweat,

watching the birds.

watching the pale birds glide,

the sole white blots against the blinding blue,

landing on the empty spaces

between the towering bends

the same as it would on a plain beach rock.

the oppressive grandness of

my view suffocates me,

but the birds fly over and under and through,

in a taunting tango with time

that they appear to be leading.

my body is heavy,

so heavy,

but the birds look weightless,

and right now,

that’s enough for me.

oh, to be a bird flying through roman arches!

oblivious to the historical weight of

the stone that holds up their nests,

passive towards the clock’s choking hands,

knowing only what it feels like to soar.

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harrison-abbott · 10 days

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Copenhagen Travels - Part III

A bout to the cemetery the other side of the island is the morning plan.

Sunny day. Buoyant sanguine Spring sunshine that pangs off the canal

Water and sparkles that and sparkles the bikes stacked up in their hundreds

By the streets as you dally. You need a fridge magnet for going back home.

Heading off into the hub of the city centre looking for a souvenir store you

Pass the corporate shops with the famous international names. On broad

Windows are splashed the adverts for cosmetics and perfume with these

Supermodels pouting their pulpy lips. And unfortunately there are the

Fast food branches with their sickly logos, mixed in with the fashion stores,

The shoe shops with their lady leather boots erectile through the screens.

On each restaurant MENU that you pass it’s all either meat or fish.

The coins are a bit confusing in Denmark and when you find a magnet you

Like you give the girl at the counter too much change.

After the store you head into this new park with a little lake inside it

All amazed by the light of the sky in simmering in pure reflections.

Swans and ducks mosey about, about as careless as water birds can be.

You come out of the park and onto the bridge that crosses the main canal

Leading off the island and on the brinks of the bridge are the bloody flags

Of Denmark again. Shortly after the crossing you come upon a basketball

Court. Surrounded by buildings smothered in graffiti. The courts of the

Playing field make you wish you had a ball to bounce there, to throw up

At those orange lurking rings … and you can’t discern much of the graffiti

Letters on the walls, nor understand the artwork spattered between the

Raw inscriptions, but they work in the rash urban zeal of the scene.

The scenery quickly changes into a charming district of florists, bakeries,

Bike hire shops, ice cream parlours. Shame you can’t really appreciate

Any of the cuisine, for personal ethical reasons (ha).

In close time you reach the cemetery.

Hans Christen Andersen is buried there. It is odd how a field full of

Skeletons underneath the soil can attract so many free people a day.

Free of charge you can go and see the tombs of dead folks and maybe

Tingle at the nuance of their bones under the flowers and grass that

Align their patches. Above Hans’ tombstone they’ve put Daffodils

And tulips, looking like any Easter Card decoration. Born in 1805,

Died in 1875. Snow queens, angels, goblins, elves, storks, teapots

And ugly ducklings don’t seem to have anything to do with this pretty

Graveyard. But it gives you a bit of momentum, a bit of inspiration,

To try and have achieved something before you perish yourself.

Maybe try and do something before you die to perhaps have your own

Bones nestle in a similar place somewhere on this sublime continent?

…

You figure you might try a museum next. And there’s a castle along

The way so you can see that too.

Heading along in that direction you come across a bunch of kids

Out playing on the street. Are they high school kids? They play

With basketballs and footballs and they shriek and shout with that inner

Value of youth. It’s a week day after all and so they must be on their

Lunch break from the school. Do you wish you were as young

As them? Not really because you remember the agony of adolescence.

And yet, these days when you look across at the car reflections in Europe

You see your white hair and your tired face and you’re always on your

Own and thus you don’t really feel young anymore: and all the folks

In the hotels you stay in are either way younger than you or far older,

And thus you don’t seem to belong to a particular age bracket.

But, meh, oh well, whatever. You’re still alive and that’s what counts.

On the upper scores of the buildings are random chunks of letters

That resemble steampunk videogames from the 1990s, or graphic novels

From the 1980s: and it’s remarkable how those concepts will have influenced

Such phenomena in modernity, right there, illegally splayed on the roofs

Of the city centre houses. …

You get to the castle. There are spike gates in front of a long meadow

Leading up to the building. In the foreground of the fortress are a band

Of soldiers in boots and fancy hats, playing music. A big brass band.

Pumping out crowd-pleasers with their fat drums, trumpets and blushed faces.

They seem to be performing to nobody in particular save the gabble

Of tourists picking photos from 200 yards outside the gates.

But they still do the music pretty well. Have to hand it to them.

The other side of the street there are a couple of Danish men getting drunk

On one of the benches. They drink from green cans and have sweaty faces

And the bigger man sings something to you as you pass. Not intimidating,

Though: only merry rather than offensive. … …

Okay so here’s the museum. History museum. With a mix of cultural and artistic

Regalia from within Denmark and across Europe and northern Africa.

There are respectable ladies at Reception.

They give you a key to stack your bag, and then you head upstairs, going to

The top floor. As you ascend, the light diminishes and all grows dark, and

As you head unto the showrooms, it’s like being a kid again going on a school

Trip, when you’re in a new environment, and it’s humid and there are these

Glass boxes blooming in the darkness. … Maps, diagrams, histories of warfare,

Ancient coins, ancient knives and pistols. They’re all real and so you wonder

Whether they ever killed anybody.

There’s a whole region dedicated to Islamic history. The empires that ranged across

A mammoth wedge of two continents, that spanned between Spain and Persia.

And so you read the snippets of writing under each display. They all seem to

Acknowledge violence as the cursor for history????????????????????????????????

When you go downstairs you see the other floors. They are filled with Danish

Pottery, in milky whites and blue, these china pots and plates that you would

Fear dropping on the floor if you ever held them. … Whilst you’re walking

About, a woman with a museum uniform on comes and asks you to tie your

Coat around your waste. “Okay, that’s fine,” you say. … You explore the rest

Of the floors. Then you figure to head back to the hotel.

Whence outside of the museum the clouds have overtaken the sky and there

Seems premonition in the grey dyes of them.

Head back to the hotel for just now and perhaps a night walk later on?

#writeblr #creative writing #writers on tumblr #tumblr writers #poems #travel writing #denmark #copenhagen #spilled ink #travelling #thoughts and feelings #diary

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brymrclno · 16 days

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Nature's best: Tagaytay-Nasugbu edition

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It is known to many that Tagaytay has one of the best views when it comes to landscape. That is why they are one of the top tourist destinations here in the Philippines. During this summer season, people often look for a place to chill and ease the scorching weather, and there are places that immidately comes to mind when it comes to cool climate and beach resorts, Tagaytay and Batangas. These two provinces became one of the top tourist destinations in the country due to their natural beauty. Tagaytay boasts its cool climate and overlooking view of the taal volcano, which is one of the reasons why tourists visit this place. Batangas, on the other hand, houses numerous beaches, resorts, and staycation houses that make them one of the top spots during the summer season. Both of these destinations are also near the metro, which is why a lot of people flock over to visit, enjoy, and have a quick escape from their busy lives.

In the picture is a resthouse/staycation house in Nasugbu, Batangas (taken Tuesday, April 9, 2024). It has swimming pools and a touch of nature, having trees all over the place. This place is perfect for families, friends, or anyone who would want to take a break from their busy lives and have an intimate bonding with each other.

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The pictures above are taken from Tagaytay City (Wednesday, April 10, 2024). This is one of the reasons why tourists visit this place, to appreciate the beauty and be in awe of the natural beauty our country possesses. The pictures show the beauty of Taal Lake and Taal Volcano. It is indeed a joy to see such a relaxing and breathtaking view.

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In our busy lives, we should not forget to also take a break for our own sake. A quick nature getaway to relax and reconnect with yourself should also be one of our top priorities. Because at the end of the day, ourselves is the only one we have, and we can depend on when no one is around. So, take care of yourself, go on a vacation, and enjoy life!

#travelwritingandphotography

#travel writing #landscape

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loustellaperry · 10 months

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Not me visiting Fagradalsfjall volcano only days before it erupted. 🌋 I didn’t get any photos too close to the edge but all that black stuff is lava from last year’s eruption. & you can’t tell, because it kind of just looks like Austin is sitting right next to a small stream of lava, BUT it’s like hundreds of feet down and he’s just sitting on the very edge and that’s a very large stream of lava.

#photography #volcano #fagradalsfjall #iceland #reykjavík #study abroad #travel journal #travel blog #traveling #travel writing #travel #lava #eruption #loustella perry

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burningvelvet · 10 months

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Byron and Shelley chronicle their 1816 sailing trip in Lake Geneva — Days 6/7, June 28th/29th — preview: they get stuck in Ouchy due to the rain, go sightseeing in Lausanne, and visit Edward Gibbon’s former home.

Percy Shelley, History of a Six Weeks' Tour:

“The rain detained us two days at Ouchy. We however visited Lausanne, and saw Gibbon's house. We were shewn the decayed summer-house where he finished his History, and the old acacias on the terrace, from which he saw Mont Blanc, after having written the last sentence. There is something grand and even touching in the regret which he expresses at the completion of his task. It was conceived amid the ruins of the Capitol. The sudden departure of his cherished and accustomed toil must have left him, like the death of a dear friend, sad and solitary.

My companion gathered some acacia leaves to preserve in remembrance of him. I refrained from doing so, fearing to outrage the greater and more sacred name of Rousseau; the contemplation of whose imperishable creations had left no vacancy in my heart for mortal things. Gibbon had a cold and unimpassioned spirit. I never felt more inclination to rail at the prejudices which cling to such a thing, than now that Julie and Clarens, Lausanne and the Roman Empire, compelled me to a contrast between Rousseau and Gibbon.

When we returned, in the only interval of sunshine during the day, I walked on the pier which the lake was lashing with its waves. A rainbow spanned the lake, or rather rested one extremity of its arch upon the water, and the other at the foot of the mountains of Savoy. Some white houses, I know not if they were those of Mellerie, shone through the yellow fire.”

Byron in a letter to John Murray:

“Ouchy, near Lausanne, June 27th, 1816.

Dear Sir

I am thus far kept by stress of weather on my way back to Diodati near Geneva from a voyage in my boat round the lake - & I enclose you a sprig of Gibbon's Acacia & some rose leaves from his garden - which part of his house I have just seen - you will find honourable mention in his life made of this ‘Acacia’ when he walked out on the night of concluding his history. - The garden - & summerhouse where he composed are neglected - & the last utterly decayed - but they still show it as his ‘Cabinet’ & seem perfectly aware of his memory. - My route - through Flanders - & by the Rhine to Switzerland was all I expected & more. - -

I have traversed all Rousseau's ground - with the Heloise before me - & am struck to a degree with the force & accuracy of his descriptions - & the beauty of their reality: - Meillerie - Clarens - & Vevey - & the Chateau de Chillon are places of which I shall say little - because all I could say must fall short of the impressions they stamp.

Three days ago - we were most nearly wrecked in a Squall off Meillerie - & driven to shore — I ran no risk being so near the rocks and a good swimmer - but our party were wet - & incommoded a good deal: - the wind was strong enough to blow down some trees as we found at landing - however all is righted & right - & we are thus far on return.

Dr. Polidori is not here - - but at Diodati - left behind in hospital with a sprained ancle acquired in tumbling from a wall - he can't jump.* ——“

*This is a reference to the instance where Byron (probably jokingly) suggested that Polidori should jump off a balcony in the rain to impress Mary Shelley. When Polidori actually did it, Byron was shocked and helped him inside to prop him up with a pillow. Polidori was then furious with him. See: Mary Shelley’s contributions concerning the Villa Diodati in Thomas Moore’s Life of Byron

UPDATE: I took my dates from Shelley, but his dates must have been confused and Byron's must be more accurate. Because I'd been confused by Byron's dates in the past, since he often wrote past midnight (thus often referring his prior day as "today"), I had assumed Shelley was more trustworthy. According to Shelley and His Circle vol. 4 pp. 700-701, they left on June 22nd which was a Saturday, and so I believe each day of their trip would be one earlier than I and Shelley stated in these posts.

Taken from Shelley and His Circle:

"TIMETABLE OF THE LAKE GENEVA TOUR

June 22, Saturday: Sailed from Montalègre, slept at Nernier.

June 23, Sunday: Sailed from Nernier, slept at Evian.

June 24, Monday: Sailed from Evian, encountered storm off Meillerie, slept at St. Gingolph.

June 25, Tuesday: Sailed from St. Gingolph, saw the mouths of the Rhone, visited Chillon Castle, landed at Clarens, visited bosquet de Julie, slept at Mme. Pauly's house (Place Gambetta) at Clarens.

June 26, Wednesday: Visited Le Châtelard, and the bosquet de Julie, sailed from Clarens, visited Vevey, slept at the Hotel de l'Ancre at Ouchy.

June 27, Thursday: Visited Gibbon's house at Lausanne, slept at Ouchy.

June 28, Friday: Remained at Ouchy.

June 29, Saturday: Sailed from Ouchy, slept at [?Rolle].

June 30, Sunday: Sailed from [?Rolle], arrived at Montalègre."

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clove-pinks · 1 year

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Portrait sketch of William Makepeace Thackeray by Samuel Laurence, 1848 (British Museum).

The 1840s saw the advent of the modern tourist industry and Thackeray was one of many Britons who in that decade flocked to the Holy Land and the Pyramids. (Though it was not until the 1860s that Cook’s Tours began plying the waters of the Nile, Thomas Cook first ventured into the tourist business in 1841.) On board his P&O steamer Thackeray found that all the British excursionists were reading Alexander Kingslake’s Eothen, just published—a book addressed to another eastern traveler, Eliot Warburton, whose The Crescent and the Cross was also published in 1844. The redoubtable Harriet Martineau took ship with friends in 1846 to the East, publishing Eastern Life, Present and Past in 1848—a volume R.K. Webb describes as containing “travels and a torrent of philosophizing,” both utilitarian and Unitarian.

— Patrick Brantlinger, Rule of Darkness: British Literature and Imperialism, 1830–1914

The Temple of Dendera, Upper Egypt, by David Roberts, 1841 (Art UK)

#Eighteen-Forties Friday #1840s #tourism #imperialism #william makepeace thackeray #victorian #travel writing #early victorian era #literature #travelog #orientalism #patrick brantlinger #harriet martineau #egypt #i loved 'vanity fair' as a kid but thackeray does seem like a bit of a jerk (and definitely a bigot)

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prettylittlelyres · 2 months

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West Brompton Cemetery, London, August 2023

My dear friend and I went to London together and visited the beautiful West Brompton Cemetery. So peaceful, like an oasis of quiet in the middle of the noisy city. It was an incredibly hot day, but there was a cool breeze as we walked through the memorial gardens together. I love to visit graveyards, and my friends know I'm fascinated by them, so this was an incredible treat.

#writeblr #blog #travel writing #travel journal #west brompton cemetery #cemetery #graveyard

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ivandurak · 10 months

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— […] Cada vez que ese indio viejo me habla, me hace poner la carne de gallina. Tiene un tapado, estoy tan segura de ello como de tener mi cigarro en la mano. Lo explota desde hace sesenta u ochenta años, pues ese zambo ha sobrevivido a los más viejos. Su tesoro le da para construir casas, iglesias e irrigar su hacienda. Compra para su hija, la religiosa, los objetos más costosos que traen los barcos de Europa, ¡y el viejo hipócrita tiene el cinismo de venir a predicar la sabiduría!... a mí, que desde hace veinte años soporto con una verdadera filosofía todo género de privaciones y no tengo a veces ni para comprar un par de medias de seda. En verdad, Florita, ésas son cosas que me irritan. No concibo cómo no ha tomado usted la palabra para demostrarle que usted no se engaña y que se corre el riesgo de ser mal recibido cuando poseyendo un tapado se viene a hacer ostentación de sabiduría ante las que no tienen un centavo. Todo el mundo en Arequipa está persuadido de que el viejo Hurtado ha encontrado un tapado que provee a sus inmensos gastos. En cuanto a mí, creo que como el viejo de La Fontaine, ha hallado un tesoro en su trabajo o, como él dice, en su sabiduría.

—Ciertamente, el trabajo inteligente es la mejor sabiduría humana. Ese venerable anciano es económico sin avaricia y muy trabajador. Ha trabajado durante su larga vida y ha podido llevar a buen fin sus numerosas empresas. El origen de su fortuna está, por lo que me parece, explicado suficientemente sin que haya necesidad de recurrir al descubrimiento milagroso de un tapado. Además, si el destino le hubiese favorecido, deberían regocijarse pues hace de sus riquezas un noble empleo. Pero se envidia a los hombres cuya inteligencia sobresale entre las demás. Cuando no se pueden calumniar sus éxitos, se atribuyen éstos a milagros antes de reconocer su superioridad.

Flora Tristán. Peregrinaciones de una paria.

#flora tristán #peregrinaciones de una paria #19th century #travel writing

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