Europe and the United Kingdom, Historical sites, history, Museums, Opinion, Travel, Uncategorized, writing

National Monument Oranjehotel

On a cloudy Tuesday near the sea, with seagulls squawking overhead, we headed to the National Monument Oranjehotel, Scheveningen's prison. About 25000 people were detained here during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. In this museum, the cells and artifacts tell stories of despair and pain, hope and perseverance. Trigger warning: This article discusses World War II history, which includes mentions of death, torture, and violence. I also discuss Hitler’s rise to power and the formation of a one-party state through legal means.

Europe and the United Kingdom, Historical sites, history, Kids, Museums, Opinion, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

The Berlin Wall

The Cranky Camper family visits the Berlin Wall and the place that once divided East and Western Europe. The remnants of the wall stand as a monument to a divided history that will hopefully never be repeated. We also reflect on what Berlin may have looked like when my dad was stationed in the American sector many years ago.

Asia and the Middle East, breakfast, coffee, Dessert, Europe and the United Kingdom, Family, Food, Historical sites, history, Museums, Shopping, Style, Travel, Uncategorized, Vacation, writing

Tale of Two Continents: A Whirlwind Adventure Through Istanbul

The Cranky Camper family takes a whirlwind tour through Istanbul, Turkey, driving across the Bosphorus Bridge into Asia and stopping at sties of historic and cultural significance.