Rick on Public Radio
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Mobile Phones in Europe
As for tips on using mobile phones in Europe, I found one of the least expensive options is to take an unlocked three or four band phone und buy a sim card at a supermarket or postoffice. I am travelling to Austria on a regular basis and I am taking my unlocked US Sony Ericson phone (I use T-Mobile in the US) and purchased a sim card and prepaid minutes from YESS, available at Postoffices and HOFER Supermarket or any 'TABAK/TRAFIK' (small shops selling newspapers & cigarettes, etc). The service works in many other European countries, albeit with roaming charges. YESS also has wireless internet access as well as prepaid phone packages. I am sure there are similar options in all European countries. Check out www.YESS.at, which is in German only but I am glad to answer any questions you may have.
Inge vanRosmalen <email>
Fort Lauderdale, Florida USA 06/07/2009
Fred Plotkin's comments on May 30th radio show
Fred Plotkin described Finland as an "inbred country" since we don't have a huge foreign/immigrant population. So this is what American liberals have come to! And Rick didn't say a word about the rude choice of words. I guess Fred and Rick are not happy until every European country loses all of its ethnicity, is ridden with immigrants and basically looks just like the USA. I will not be listening to your show anymore.
Paivi
Atlanta, Ga USA 06/06/2009
June 6 program
Listening to your program when some asked about seeing Croatia and you even talked about driving down from Venice. You did not even mention one of the most beautiful spots in Europe, along the way. A short side trip is a discovery: lakes and waterfalls of Plitvice. (Plitvice National Park, Yugoslavia).
Frank Peterson <email>
ventura, ca USA 06/06/2009
Castles in France
Rick: I've wondered for years why you have not featured the Chateax/Castles through the Loire Valley in France? There are so many to visit, and we've found we make Chambord our home base - staying at the Hotel du Grand Michel, which is right across the drive from the fabulous Chateau Chambord. We always add at least one new Chateau.Last year, we visited Cheverney, in which the family still lives on the upper floor. But how about talking about gorgeous Chenonceaux, Villandry, Ambois, Blois, Angers, and of course, the "grand-daddy" Chambord. And..we've always found the drive along the Loire wonderful, lovely climate, relaxing pace, and oh, don't forget the Clos Luce', the last home of Leondardo DeVinci!
Virginia Burgert <email>
Battle Ground, WA USA 05/24/2009
Castles
I must take issue with Rick's comments that there is not much to attract Western tourists to Romania. I have been twice in the past year and a half on volunteer vacations, but have taken time to travel around on the weekends with an excellent guide and on my own after my volunteering. Bran castle is what Romania is best known for, and like Rick I did not find it to be the best castle I'd ever seen. However, Sighsoara, Sibiu and Brasov in the Transylvania area are well worth seeing. The monastaries in the northeast corner of Romania around Iasi, are wonderful examples of fresco paintings inside and out. Timisoara and Cluj in the west are lovely vibrant cities. I hope to return to do more sightseeing including the Maramures area and Hunedoara Castle.
There are good small hotels. The food is good and best of all, it is inexpensive to travel there. You are missing a lot if you bypass Romania.
Sally Norton <email>
Bothell, WA USA 05/23/2009
Youth Travel in Guatemala
It was so wonderful to hear the story of the Global Visionaries program in Guatemala. I went to Guatemala for three and a half weeks before my senior year in high school and I just wanted to stress the great impact that this trip had on me and my companions. We went all around the country, starting in Antigua and moving then to Panajachel, La Escuela de la Montana, Xela (Quetzaltenango), Rabinal, Tikal (for one night) and finally spending one last night in Guatemala City.
Since my group visited a few months before the national elections, we got a unique taste of the political climate in this country which less than two decades ago was still involved in a civil war.
While our group did some manual labor with other Guatemalans through Habitat for Humanity, our main goal was to learn Spanish and to hear the stories of the people themselves. We went to two different language schools - one in a rural area and one in a large city - and connected with host families there. When we went to Rabinal, we visited several organizations dedicated to bringing to light the atrocities of the war under Rios Montt.
What stayed with me most from this trip were the many people who came to us and asked us to remember them and to take their stories back to the United States.
Thanks for bringing back great memories of people and places and chicken buses!
Charlotte
Seattle, WA USA 05/23/2009
Insider's Guide to Paris
Rick, We're great fans of yours and appreciate all the hard work you've done for all of us. I find that your bringing your co-authors in on your programs is a wonderful idea.
We have been living on our 1921 dutch barge in France for the past 9 years. The wonderful part of this adventure is that we can travel all over France. We've been all over Burgundy, Vosges, Alsace and Lorraine to name a few areas.
We are currently moored in one of the suburbs of Paris for the past 2 years. I listened to a few of your podcasts especially the one with your coauthor and sensed a few instances where I found you were too opinionated about a few things. ie: #1) Rue Cler, you do love the market but there are so many others that are more wonderful. I for one, LOVE the one in the 6th on Raspail. The diversity of products AND the fact that these vendors are selling not from store fronts, but from their stands as in ancient days is more interesting for me. PLUS you've got Le Bon Marché with it's wonderful food court and Polaine bakery on Cherche Midi with it's yummy little luncheon spot next door. (be prepared to wait but it's worth it!) #2) Your bias for the Marais district. In this particular podcast a person called in about taking her boyfriend to Paris for the first time and when you asked where she was staying and she replied the Latin Quarter you went on and on about how great the Marais is and actually talked down the Latin Quarter. I find this off-base as there are WONDERFUL streets and alley ways in the latin quarter that are much more charming than the Marias. And, if anyone gets bored they just need to look up at the magnificent buildings in the Latin Quarter. There's so much history there, there's the Luxembourg gardens and the small rues around St. Sulpice with wonderful little restaurants, and the secret church of St. Etienne. Well, I could go on and on. Yes, the Marias is interesting, but it really is not all that you cranked it up to be. It's overpriced, filled with yuppies, and unfortunately, LOTS of bums!
I think it would have been good for you to have turned to your co-host and asked him to describe the Latin Quarter and the Marais as he did at the beginning of your show. When you named an arrondisement on he described the character of the Quartier.
Just a couple of comments that I hope will help you cover the magical city of Paris.
Lisa
Lisa Gerardin
Ojai, CA USA 05/16/2009
Fall 2008 trip to Normandy
Our trip to Normandy (by way of Windsor,London, Versailles & Paris) was more wonderful than we dreamed it could possibly be thanks to Rick's tour books and his encouragement that there is a sucessful traveler in each of us! Please add Angelina's to your list of special places to eat...the hot chocolate is out of this world! In Honfleur we stayed at LaCour Sainte Catherine and traveled through the countryside to the Normandy beaches (our only travel by car)...wonderful hospitality, delicious food...our stay could not have been better. Everywhere we encountered friendly helpful world neighbors (even during rush hour in Paris trying to make our transfer to the RER and find our hotel in Versailles!).
Pam and Mike Chaplin <email>
Ferndale, WA USA 05/15/2009
Iran Series
Just finished watching your 6 Parts of Iran. What a fantastic job you did on this. I lived in Iran (my husband worked for AT&T and we were over there from 1977 to the beginning of 1979) and absolutely loved our time there. We were to stay 3 years, but our
time was cut short by the revolution. Our two sons were 10 and 13 when we went over. They still talk about the experiences and the good times they had there. It was fantastic seeing familiar scenes in North Tehran (where we lived), in Isfahan (where we visited), as well as other places. Iranians were (and I am sure still are) wonderful, gracious hosts/hostesses. We became good friends with many of the Iranians. Thank you for putting together such an enjoyable show.
Berta Pettis <email>
Roswell, GA USA 05/12/2009
Using mileage plan miles
Hello,
Heard Rick on the Radio last Saturday tell people not to bother with using accrued miles from mileage plans. I am traveling to New Zealand in Sept and just used half my air miles for my husband and myself to travel business class using air miles. I found dealing with the United mileage Plus to be an unexpected wonderful experience. I told her that Rick Steves said that it was not worth using travel miles. She said that is because most people want to use their miles for traveling the most busiest seasons of the year like holidays and non school periods. So I would just like to say tell Steve to use their airmiles in non busy times of the year and you can redeem them easier. I was truly surprised! I hope you find this helpful.
Kathy Goodwind <email>
Seattle , WA USA 05/08/2009
Arthur Frommer
I really enjoyed listening to your show with Arthur Frommer. It was neat seeing how travel can really broaden one's perspective. Keep up the good work.
Robb
Atlanta, GA USA 05/04/2009
Traveling and hearing great music
Rick,
Listening to your program today about traveling in Europe and finding great music opportunities. When my husband and I travel, before we even know "where" we are going, we first of all look at the music offerings. We just traveled to Australia, because we were able to get tickets to the Sydney Opera House to see/hear an opera. That was the deciding factor in our traveling "down under." That's the way to travel.
David Abernethy-Deppe <email>
Palm Springs, CA, US USA 05/03/2009
Frequent Flier Programs
I enjoy your radio show each week, but was disappointed to hear you and Mr. Frommer suggest that frequent flier programs were not worth the effort. A few years ago, a friend and I went trekking for two weeks in China. We were able to use my miles for both tickets, cutting the cost of the trip in half. Just recently, I geve enough miles to my college daughter and her three friends to book tickets to a training class they needed to go to. Yes, it can be difficult to use the miles, but if you are able to plan ahead and be somewhat flexible, the miles can save you quite a bit of money.
Jill <email>
Cedar Falls, IA USA 05/03/2009
travel with kids
Not to Europe, but my experience with jetlag...
We went to Hawaii (Big Is.) over Thanksgiving week with a 1.5 y.o. who never adjusted to the time change from Seattle. With the rest of the family snoozing in our condo I would haul out at 3-4 am every morning and go hiking on the golf greens, on the beaches and paved paths through the lava flows in the lovely night air with toddler in backpack. I got great outdoor exercise without burning in the sun, and we bonded over stars and waves in the moonlight.
So my advice on jetlag: don't fight it too much, just plan for and make the best of it.
And pack a flashlight!
Ramsey
Seattle, WA USA 05/03/2009
Cover Russia!
Hello, I love listening to your radio archives and I notice that you haven't covered Russia at all. I'd like to hear about it, you should consider it as a topic.
Chris
WI USA 04/28/2009
Hunger and poverty in the world
Thanks for bringing us a discussion of poverty and hunger. David Beckmann from Bread for the World and the woman from Kenya were able to give some hopeful information about how there might be an end of extreme hunger in our world, both here in the USA and abroad!
Mary Ritter
San Leandro, CA USA 04/26/2009
Traveling with Children
One way to ensure that you have special toys and activities for your young children on a trip, ask a friend who has children the same age to share! Then offer to do the same for them for their next family trip. It is fun to go through your own family's travel games, toys, small puzzles and make a kit with "ALL NEW" toys for your friend's children--all for FREE! You have to know that something may get lost so don't loan anything that is irreplaceable.
Signe Roscoe <email>
Seattle, WA USA 04/18/2009
Southern California
Listening to your show about Southern Cal, tell Rick that when I lived in LA several years near Grifith Park, I accidentally happened upon a
Lithuanian festival and discovered that I was living near the largest Lithuanian population outside of Vilnius. There's not only "Latin"
cultures in Southern California.
Keith
Seattle, WA USA 04/06/2009
Barging in Burgundy
We barged on the Canal de Bourgogne about 10 years ago. Best vacation we’ve ever had. Sadly, we can’t do it again because we had such a great time it couldn’t possibly be as good the second time around. The food was outstanding: two cheeses and two wines with each lunch and each dinner. We barged in the mornings and a guy picked us up in his small bus every afternoon. He took us on a little guided tour each day: a little walled town, l’Hopital de Beaune, the city of Dijon, a couple of wineries, and hot-air ballooning. The guide knew a great deal about French history, architecture, etc. Did I mention the open bar?
Phil <email>
Corsicana, TX USA 04/03/2009
Traveling Europe
This past January I moved to Madrid to study spanish for the semester. While here I have been travleing on the weekends. I first purchased your Spain 2009 book and I loved it! I have found myself buying more and more of your books! My one piece of advise is to ADD the student discounted prices for the different museums. Lots of places excepted EU student ID´s and/or foreign ID´s as well.
Thanks again!
Rachel
San Diego, CA USA 03/30/2009
Kindness in Paris
2 years ago in Paris I felt asleep on the metro. I had been traveling for two days. My suitcase slipped into the aisle and across to the other seats. A Roma/Gypsy woman brought my bag, woke me up and gave me a lecture in French about the risk of thieves. This counters two stereotypes-that Parisians are cold and that Gypsies can't be trusted. Thanks to that kind lady, I made it to my friend's apartment with all my bagage.
Mary Evelyn
San Diego, CA USA 03/28/2009
Iditarod
I am a long time fan. You helped my husband and I have the trip of a lifetime to Italy in 2004!
But am totally dismayed and greatly disappointed by your coverage over the Iditarod.
Steve, CMON...three dogs have died this year. All for the sake b/c they "love to run?" How is it fair and morally RIGHT that humans get to see the Alaskan Range and take in all the beauty at the dogs expense? The historical aspect is totally lost on me. Here's news...things change. This race should no longer be tolerated as it exists in 2009.
I am sorry to see you were a part of the media coverage that admires such an unethical event.
Stephanie Kingston <email>
San Diego, CA USA 03/22/2009
I listened to the program on "World Schooling" today. There are even
better ways for teachers to show their children the world. My wife and
I and our daughter lived overseas for 23 years in 9 different countries.
We taught in International Schools in Asia, the Caribbean, Europe,
and the Middle East. Our daughter attended those schools and when she
started at Lewis & Clark College in Portland she got a full year advance
placement.
Larry S
Auburn, WA USA 03/22/2009
Kids travel the world
My family spent 3 years going around the world when I was age 3-6. Those memories are still vivid and those lessons I use every day.
I'm also a wizard at packing a suitcase :-)
Ziska Childs <email>
Carbondale, CO USA 03/21/2009
dog race
I am writing to comment on the fact that Rick didn't mention anything in his Alaska travel about the Iditarod dog race and the way these dogs are raced to the point of exhaustion and collapse.
Margarita Cisne <email>
Homestead, Fl USA 03/20/2009
Paris
Rick, I used your book, "Paris 2009" for my vacation this week. It was extraordinarily helpful. I saved money and time by being prepared. Your tips on the many scam artists that prey on tourists here proved to be extremely valuable too, because every trick that you mentioned was attempted on me! One suggestion I would make for future editions is to include not only the name of the nearest Metro stop for each attraction, but also the number of the Metro line that it's on.
Patrick
Milwaukee, WI USA 03/19/2009
Accessible Europe
Rick,
We love to travel and my husband uses a wheelchair, he is a parapelegic. We got your Accessible Europe book before we went to Britain and it was very useful. PLEASE continue to update that book and expand its reach. We want to go to Paris, Rome and other European locations and with you doing the 'leg' work, it will make it so much easier!!!
Thank you SO much for what you have already done, we really appreciate it.
Francie
Scottsdale, AZ USA 03/17/2009
misc.
Rick Steves!
I LOVED the Iran show you recently did. This show was a ray of hope in a very dark time. It would seem that Rick gets what so many "Americans" (and possibly Iranians) don't! I think I must point out that I don't always agree with the politicians since they very often don't "get it." So I say, to Rick, thank you! This show that was done about Iran was so informative and uplifting that it was nearly a religious experience! Thank you! Thank you!! THANK YOU!!!
Name
Wherever, AB USA 03/16/2009
Switzerland
Rick, We followed your Switzerland itinerary and had the best vacation of our lives! We loved Lucerne and hiking Mt. Rigi. Thanks for your guidance!
Sara Shaughnessy <email>
Palm City, Fl USA 03/15/2009
Ireland
Rick,
THe Irish Language is alive in the oddest of places. Cincinnati Ohio! Here at the University of Cincinnati, we have a Irish language course taught by a Gaelic scholar. We in a matter of a year reach high school level Irish speaking and in the second year we learn an expert level speaking and reading of Irish.
Cincinnati prides itself in its German and Irish heritage and is a mini Ireland in some neighborhoods.
Shannon Leary <email>
Cincinnati, OH USA 03/14/2009
Vienna
A Vienna visit should include the Hundertwasser museum and garden and the housing developement this painter,architect and environmentalist designed.Plan several hours in this delightful place.
lorraine B. Widman <email>
Portland, Oregon USA 03/14/2009
A Switzerland show someday?
We love the show and most everything Rick-related. The variety of countries covered on the radio show is a nice complement to the standard Europe fare of the books and PBS shows. But I'd still love to hear a show or two on Switzerland -- especially the Berner Oberland!
Emma
Northern California, USA 03/13/2009
iceland
Loved your pbs show on Iceland. Also heard the one on Iran which was neat, but absolutely wonderful when I saw it on TV.Is the Iceland going to be on video as well? And...have you been to Greenland?
anything like Iceland? If it wasn't so cold I would move there tomorrow!
Fran Wilson
Tualatin, OR USA 03/13/2009
Bill Holm interview
Rick, your interview with Bill Holm about his views on Iceland and travel was, in my view, your best show ever. I was sad to learn of Holm's death, but felt so fortunate to be among your many listeners given the chance to look with him through the "Windows of Brimnes." What a great American, and an inspiration for responsible travel and cross-cultural experience! Thank you.
Edward Wolf <email>
Portland, OR USA 03/09/2009
Estonia
I find your show about Estonia very insulting to Finns. I was born in Finland, came to the US when I was 5 and visited Talinn for the first time last summer. Your comments about Finns being drunk "deers" are not amusing and really amateurish. It shows your guests ignorance (Anneli) and disrespect for a country which was the only one not taken over by Russia during World War II. Your show is just disgusting when I think about the Finno Russo war of 1939. You and your guests care nothing about real history. The Finnish culture and economy is way above Estonia and they know it. ALso, the VIRI Hotel that you put down as ugly 50's communist was built by Finns. It is a nice hotel today where we stayed. This show is why I appreciate Burt Wolf
Rita Salonen Melnyk <email>
Murrieta, CA USA 02/22/2009
Courtesy Please...
Rick, I like your radio show a lot, however, if your open minded enough to listen to constructive criticism then allow me for offer some here:
I find it annoying hearing you continually interrupt and cut your guests off in mid sentence. I don't know if you even realize you do it, but go back and listen to one of your own podcasts (your Iran interview with Rita and Andrew as an example).
You always ask Americans to be thoughtful travelers. Being a good (i.e. courteous) listener is part of being a thoughtful traveler.
Steve
USA 02/22/2009
Program content
Rick Steves comment about finding used French postcards at pullouts along the Amalfi Coast were intirely inappropiate. He owes his NPR listeners an appology,. Dan Rosenberg
Daniel R. Rosenberg <email>
Kenmore, WA USA 02/20/2009
archived programs
Thank you for all of your archived programs. It is a true traveler's treasure trove. I have gained so much joy and knowledge from listening.
Summer
Columbus, OH USA 02/18/2009
cycling in Colombia
Dear Rick,
I just listened to the Feb 7 podcast of your radio show, featuring Willie Weir's cycling experience in Colombia. It left me a little perplexed: although Mr. Weir tries his best to convince the listeners that Colombia is a beautiful country that really deserves to be discovered by Americans, you really disappoint us with less than humorous (if not childish and insulting) comments about druglords and cartels. Was that the same Rick Steves who opened our eyes on Iran? Colombia is trying hard to change its image but the media only reports, as always, the bad news. There are of course, dangerous areas where tourism still has no place, but it's a huge country with an amazing diversity of cultures, climates, culinary delicacies and yes, an infrastructure for tourists. Thank you Mr. Weir!
Christophe Lahovary <email>
Durham, NC USA 02/17/2009
Romanitic Trips
We took our honeymoon in the highlands of Scotland. We drove from Edinburgh to the Isle of Skye and stayed a the Skeabost House. The Skyebost House is one of the most masculine romantic places we have ever stayed at. You can golf, fish for salmon, pony trek around the island, take a launch for whale watching, and generally go hiking about the island. The accomodations are very rich and romantic. A wonderful secluded place for a honeymoon.
Charlie Nash
Cincinnati, Ohio USA 02/14/2009
Romantic Travel
After listening to romantic travel on 02-14-09, I was surprised that there is no place in the the United States or North America considered romantic.
Lynda
Carroll, IA USA 02/14/2009
Netherlands
Congratulations on your PBS show!
However, I was almost driven into a telephone pole last Saturday when Rick emphatically opined that the reason the North of the Netherlands differs form the South of the country is that the North is 'protestant,' and therefore 'not fun,' and the South is 'catholic' and therefore 'laid back and fun.'
Puulleeeze! The reasons for the differences between urban and rural areas of any country are many and varied, but mostly have to do with them being URBAN and RURAL. To perpetuate stereotypes as a respected travel expert is really shocking! Not to mention how much fun I've had in the North.
Oh, and concerning whatever's left of the legacy of the Protestant Reformation, I think it's fair to say that it was a good bit responsible for a cultural shift towards individualism and challenge to dogma that Mr. Steves would value as an independent, self-deterministic traveler!
Joe
Cleveland, oh USA 02/09/2009
Willie Weir Interview
When interviewing Willie Weir about his cycling adventures in Colombia, Rick alluded to druglords and "druglords with their AK-47's" several times. Rather than sounding like a seasoned travel expert, he sounded more like a small-minded American who doesn't understand the complexities of other countries. What was with that? Maybe he was actually making fun of American misconceptions and I just didn't catch it.
Linda
Nashville, TN USA 02/07/2009
food and culture
Hello Rick and Company,
I've been watching the PBS shows for years but just subscribed to the podcast. I had a wonderful experience listening to "Eating through Europe" while eating my "medianoche" sandwich in a local Cuban restaurant. Thank you for sharing the cultures of the world with us! Happy Travels!
Diana
diana lewis
north hollywood, ca USA 02/06/2009
Walking the Gobe
I enjoyed your program with Helen Thayer. I'm wondering if you've read "The Long Walk" by Slavomir Rawicz - who was captured by the Soviets in 1939 and sent to the Gulag. He, along with other inmates, escaped and walked from Siberia to India - through the Gobi. He later rejoined the Polish army to fight against the Germans, and then eventually immigrated to the UK. I first read the book over 20 years ago. After listening to your program I did a web search and noticed in 2006 the book went through a reprint.
It's a fascinating tale that I would highly recommend.
LeRoy Mills <email>
San Antonio, TX USA 01/27/2009
visiting small cultures which are under pressure
In enjoying Helen Thayer's Gobi Trek, I was struck by her (and Rick's) comments on wishing to protect and preserve cultures under pressure, most of which have been driven out of existence, or on the verge of extinction. (This resembles an ongoing, inadvertent genocide, with loss of languages, lifeways, and persons, but that is not the theme on which I'm writing.)
Helen spoke of the pastoral nomads they met in Gobi. I was reminded of similar encounters, but not in any trips abroad. My thoughts were of the American ghetto, and in particular the African-American culture persevering there in the urban setting. It is threatened with extirpation also, both involuntarily as people are scattered or disabled by various external pressures, and voluntarily as they are seduced into the atomization of life in separated middle-class households.
The role of tourist is unknown in the ghetto (apart from a few problematic Anglo sorts out slumming), so it is difficult to visit and get acquainted without some substantive reason. (My reason was being a public health nurse, needing to account for being an old white guy out scouring the hood for pregnant teenagers.) I think one could cultivate other good reasons, just as long as they result in your acceptance into and participation in daily life, rather than your being viewed as a perhaps valuable but nevertheless alien outsider do-gooder. Amid the problems of high stress lives, there is remarkable warmth, humor, and acceptance of one's individuality (including quirks). You get to learn about the pleasures (and dangers) of teasing, hustling, and other valuable social skills, as well as working hard. You may get to learn about some ways in which your own socialization (in the economically dominant culture), has failed to teach you social skills which all people are better off possessing.
Can I recommend a concerted effort to travel in and get to know American ghettos? I don't know. Preparation for this would call on exceptional social skills, rather than geographic knowledge. It sure is cheaper than a trip to Europe. One might start regularly shopping at mom and pop stores in the ghetto (more expensive big stores, but great values at, like, "97 cents plus & minus stores"), eating at restaurants there, and chatting with people who chat with you.
Enough. This is obviously an eccentric aside, relative to the high culture and environmentally prestigious pursuits of most upscale adventurers. There is art to be found, but it lacks prestige, etc. I'm quite serious in the thought, and I wish I might someday hear that Helen Thayer traveled there, and I sincerely fear the extinction of these communities, but I don't expect a trend to develop.
I would be interested in the thoughts of others. Maybe there's a new career for me as a guide, but I doubt it.
David Bockoven <email>
Fresno, CA USA 01/24/2009
Prague architecture and glass
When listening to your program on Prague with Hunza and Katrina, I was surprised to NOT hear them mentioning the feature of modern Czech architechture that is most unique: monumental glass. During the 60's, 70's, & 80's giants of Czech glass art such as Stanislav Libensky and Jaroslava Brychtova and others designed numerous structural pieces thoughout the city. I visited all fo them while I was producing a documentary on the Libenskys in the early Nineties and was convinced that a tour of these sites is something apart from any city architectural tour that I have ever taken. They vary in their sitings from the old cathedral by the Castle to the Metro station at Narodni Trida. If Steve is interested in this
"hidden treasure', I should be quite glad to pass on the information. Much of the visuals are included in my 1994
video title, "The Glass Dimension". It was ironic that when Katrina, in the interview, referred to the accidental bombing of the Old City Hall in 1945 as an event that wiped out some particularly ugly Gothic building details, she neglected to add that the Libenskys replaced the destroyed wall with an amazing 8 x 10 meter wall constructed from glass semi-cylinders.
But, then, even the people who sell tickets to the Town Hall Tower mostly don't know about this wall.
So, Seattle is not the only city of glass.
Terry Moyemont <email>
Bainbridge Island, WA USA 01/17/2009
Your new number one fan!
Dear Rick,
This was adorable! I always wished I could take a quick trip back to Iran to tape record the real life and show the people that they don't hate America...it's just the governmental organizations and politicians who messed it up!
Thank you so much for making my dream come true!
Mernoosh <email>
San Ramon, USA 01/14/2009
Rick Steves,Sallam!
I heard you on Talk of the Nation on NPR about your trip to Iran. I have not been to Iran, but I have Iranian people in my family and as friends.
Have you read the book, "The Ayatollah Begs to Differ" by Hooman Majd? He is Iranian, now US citizen. Excellent, excellent! The best resource I have found for American people to start to understand Iran, Iranians, Persia, and Persians, and Americans to understand themselves. A wonderful read, insightful, funny, and human.
Hodafiz! Stan Bennett
Stan Bennett <email>
North Syracuse, NY USA 01/08/2009
programs
I love all of your travel programs. Since I am unable to physically travel any more, I feel I am still traveling with you as guide. However, I do have one problem with the programs and that is that the music is so loud it is hard, at times, to hear what you are saying. But don't stop. The programs are still worth the effort to listen.
Nell Warren
Richmond, VA USA 01/07/2009
Iran
Rick, thanks for the terrific interview with Hooman Majd. He is a captivating writer and speaker. I have looked forward to your documentary on Iran for many, many months. I see not all the people who heard the interview are as enthusiastic as I am about Iran's possibilities. What a shame that so many people feel that Iran must conform all at once and completely to our Western ideals. Nobody is saying there aren't severe hurdles, challenges, freedoms that must be addressed, but all of these things come at a cost and Iran is going about their business at THEIR OWN pace and that's ok.
Globalization isn't all bad; it allowed me to meet my Iranian husband; it allowed you to go to Iran and to tell the world that things are not that simple; not at all black and white, good or evil. Allowing Iran to become what Iran wants to become is actually a beautiful thing. They have the benefit of learning by their own past mistakes AND other's past mistakes. The road will continue to be rocky, but it will progress and, thanks to you, we are privledged to watch it progress. Thank you for going to Iran. Thank you for telling the world about this rich, complex place. Your work here is doubly important. When I recently toured the Babylon exhibit at the British Museum, I was struck by how Iraq's ancient historical sites have been or are being destroyed by the West, I hope that what you are doing to educate the world about Iran will help to prevent the same thing from happening there. You are the best example of what it is to be a true citizen of the world. Thank you for your good work.
Eva Gorman
Portland, OR USA 01/04/2009
Travel in Iran
Although I have always been a big fan of your TV and radio program, have used your books to travel to Europe and taken your classes at the U-W, I must say I am really turned off by your promoting travel to Iran programs. This is an enemy that hates Americans, fosters hate throughout the middle east, aids and abets our enemies such as Al-Queda with arms and money. I consider myself a liberal politically, but am disappointed with Steve on this issue. Dan McGuire
Dan J. McGuire
Kirkland, WA USA 01/04/2009
today's program
Interesting topic, and one that desperately needs attention. Another country that should be looked at is Bangladesh. I have just returned from a 6 week stay and I believe that many in Bangladesh are on the edge of siding with a more militant Islam and are beginning to look towards Pakistani militant groups for guidance. This seems incredible to me, as in the past all I have ever heard is how Bangladeshis hate Pakistan, after its near or outright genocide of 3 million Bangladeshis in the war of independence. However, many young men I spoke with are eager to join the fight against what they see is America's literal crusade to wipe out Islam and enforce Christianity around the world. For people with little else than their religion, they will fight with all means possible to keep it.
Jenny Anderson
Portland, OR USA 01/04/2009
English language useage
I thought the show was timely and helpful. I am thinking about traveling there myself, and welcome any information from Mr. Steves, or anyone else so broad-minded. The reason I write is to comment on Dr. Mogadam's use of the word "absolutely" after many of Rick's comments. I stopped counting after six, I suspect it was more than ten. I sincerely apologize for sounding petty. It certainly sounds petty to me after writing it. However, forty years of listening to public radio have seen these things really wear on me. Let me say something about it to someone. Is there a way to coach guests to avoid saying such things? "Such things" include urging the guest to say the rarely heard "you're welcome" or something similar, and not "thank you" when the host says "thank you" at the end of a segment. Thank you! You're Welcome! Well Done!
C. Erickson <email>
Vancouver, WA USA 01/04/2009
Symbols of separation
Thank you for today's (January 3) program "Rick Steves in Iran: Perplexing Issues." It gave me new insights into US racism in boxing 1895-1915. Some human behaviors persist across centuries.
Gilbert Gia
Bakersfield, CA USA 01/03/2009
Jan 3 2009 Iran radio program
I think with Rick's program on Iran, he is becoming America's abassador equal to Satchmo. I trust Rick has fans in the Obama administration who will carry his respect and enthusiasm to their work in expanding America's contact with all the globe.
larry w zuberbier <email>
des moines, wa USA 01/03/2009