What We Loved This Week: Bermuda, ‘The Wire’ and ‘The Way of the World’

Travel Blog  •  World Hum  •  01.22.10 | 4:48 PM ET

Larry Bleiberg
I indulged my inner geography nerd this week, flipping through Mark Stein’s oddly compelling book, How the States Got Their Shapes. So why does Oklahoma have that panhandle? What’s up with New Jersey’s tilted northern border? And isn’t California a little greedy taking up most of the West Coast? In almost every state the explanations range from politics to topography to an occasional surveying error.

Frank Bures
I loved this video of all the known objects in the universe. Gives some good perspective on things:

Jim Benning
I finally cracked open Nicolas Bouvier’s “The Way of the World,” which Tom Swick wrote about recently, and I’m really enjoying it so far.

Eva Holland
“The Wire.” I finally started watching season one of the HBO cop drama this week (I know, I know—I’m a couple of years behind) and boy, do I love an urban crime show that takes the time to really set the scene. Baltimore’s gritty red-brick streets were made for this sort of thing. Here’s the opening of the first episode:

Lisa Wixon
Nine years ago I joined a crew charged with delivering a 92-foot sailing ketch from Rhode Island to St. Maarten, with a final destination of St. Barth’s. We pushed through the Gulf Stream in winter; even the hardiest of us were sick from the thumping and waves. When we finally saw Bermuda I understood—in a deep way—the lure of Homer’s sirens. But it was not to be. Our young captain turned us southward; I could only look with longing at her shores. Yesterday, I finally made it to Bermuda via plane and in the company of my family. I’m sitting on the beaches overlooking the Sargasso Sea, drinking ginger beer with local rum, a Dark ‘n’ Stormy. We’re facing west and toasting Spanish galleons and lone sailors and all manner of ships that have made it to Bermuda, and those who have not. And especially the S/Y Shere Khan, and the captain and crew, many of whom remain my friends to this day.

Tags: Shameless Self-Promotion, What We Loved This Week, News and Briefs


4 Comments for What We Loved This Week: Bermuda, ‘The Wire’ and ‘The Way of the World’

Miami Hotel Rooms 01.22.10 | 6:18 PM ET

What’s the best beach to go to in Bermuda if you don’t want it to be too crowded?We know that some of the best beaches can be packed with people. We only have 2 days to spend there and would like some peace and quiet, as well as experience the great Bermuda pink sands. Help!

Adrian 01.22.10 | 8:19 PM ET

Well, that was an interesting discovery, I’m talking about the ‘How the States Got Their Shapes’ book, I’ll be checking that out!

Jerry Haines 01.25.10 | 1:00 PM ET

My wife and I, having missed The Wire on HBO, just finished watching the entire series via Netflix DVD’s. It constitutes some of the best writing it has been my privilege to see on the small screen. 

Maybe it’s because Baltimore is just up the pike from us, but Eva is right about the series generating a compelling sense of place.  I love the little tossed-off asides: references to local, real-life personalities and restaurants, for example.  If you know Baltimore, you cheer.  But even if you don’t know Baltimore, the use of these references (shall we call it The Proper Noun Effect?) gives you a sense that these are real people in a real city.  And while you may not recognize the names, if done correctly, their inclusion doesn’t hinder your understanding.  Travel Writing 101.

As Omar Little would say, “Oh, indeed!”

Zach 01.25.10 | 3:19 PM ET

Take you time with The Wire and savor it. I tore through all five seasons in a few months, ruining all other TV shows thereafter.

Commenting is not available in this weblog entry.