Category Archives: politics

The Whitewashing of the Red Light

Posted on July 8, 2014 by Brandon

Quartier Putain is just one of the many examples of how Amsterdam is trying to essentially erase its status as Europe’s Sin City. Recent city initiatives like Project 1012 have shuttered several of its iconic prostitute windows and continue to … Continue reading →

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A Shop Cat in De 9 Straatjes

Posted on July 8, 2013 by Brandon

De 9 Straatjes (“The Nine Streets”) is a series of side streets in Amsterdam lined with boutiques, restaurants and places where you can pay 60 Euros for a haircut. It’s all totally adorable. Tourists and locals alike go there to … Continue reading →

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Another Perspective on the Dutch Monarchy

Posted on April 29, 2013 by Brandon

Tomorrow, April 30th, Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands will abdicate and turn over her throne to her son, Willem-Alexander. Since announcing her decision back in January, there’s been, roughly, 10 thousand articles in the Dutch media about it and no less … Continue reading →

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Dirty Postcards

Posted on December 6, 2012 by Brandon

I went on my first trip to Europe in the autumn of 2007. My friend Dan lent me his REI backpack for the journey and, to return the favor, I sent him a dirty postcard from every country I visited. … Continue reading →

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The 2012 American Presidential Election, German-Style

Posted on November 7, 2012 by Brandon

CNN could learn a thing or three from ZDF. The German TV station’s election night coverage has so far featured live interviews with dogs in Washington DC, a diner-themed bar on the stage, newscasters chugging beer,  a blogger pundit with … Continue reading →

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Tales From De Wallen, Episode 1

Posted on August 1, 2012 by Brandon

Here’s the first, and no doubt last, installment of a comic strip series I’ve created titled “Tales From De Wallen.” The following could probably use some context. I was hiking back to Amsterdam Centraal last Saturday afternoon, completely oblivious to … Continue reading →

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Generation WTF?

Posted on April 25, 2012 by Brandon

A few years ago, a colleague of mine boarded a plane from Portland to San Francisco, the first leg of a journey to Paris. She found herself sitting next to an elderly American woman who asked her why she was … Continue reading →

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In the Red: A Look at Prague’s Museum of Communism

Posted on April 9, 2012 by Brandon

While touring Prague last spring, I kept coming across cheeky advertisements for the Museum of Communism. One featured a painting of a defiant Vladimir Lenin beside the words “We’re Above McDonalds and across from Benetton. Viva la Imperalism!” After checking … Continue reading →

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War Games

Posted on March 27, 2012 by Brandon

I’ve never understood the appeal of historical reenactments and why many people participate in them. I think we can all agree that the American Civil War and World War 2 were events that could hardly be considered a fantastically good time. Furthermore, … Continue reading →

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Why You Should Never Order a Black & Tan in Ireland

Posted on January 18, 2012 by Brandon

On the rugged western coastline of Ireland there lies the village of Portmagee. This small community consists of a small, main drag lined with pubs and shops along with a scattering of houses down some side streets. It also serves … Continue reading →

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