Simanaitis Says

On cars, old, new and future; science & technology; vintage airplanes, computer flight simulation of them; Sherlockiana; our English language; travel; and other stuff

Category Archives: Just Trippin’

AUTOMOBILES AND ROOFTOPS

A FORD publicity stunt planned 50 years ago and its imminent recreation remind me of Fiat’s Lingotto facility in Turin, Italy, and the action flick, The Italian Job (the original … Continue reading

April 5, 2014 · Leave a comment

MOROCCO, CIRCA 1991

THOUGH MEMORABLE, my visit to Morocco resulted in very little original source material. The press kit, expense report and passport of the era have all gone missing. I have only … Continue reading

April 2, 2014 · 2 Comments

ON ENGLISH COUNTRY HOUSES

IT’S GREAT fun watching the PBS series Downton Abbey. And one of my favorite mystery movies is Gosford Park. What’s more, through friendship with Rob Walker and his wife Betty, … Continue reading

March 26, 2014 · 1 Comment

COUNT THEM AGAIN—IN MY PRESENCE

THE GREAT line “Count them again—in my presence” appears in one of my foreign language phrase books under the heading “Dealing with the Help.” Many years ago, famed humorist James … Continue reading

March 18, 2014 · 1 Comment

MILLE MIGLIA STORICA, 1989

THE ORIGINAL Mille Miglia, 1927 – 1957, was one of the world’s most grand—and outrageous—motoring events. See “Jenk’s Box of Magic,” http://wp.me/p2ETap-184. The Mille Miglia Storica is its modern counterpart, … Continue reading

March 8, 2014 · Leave a comment

T C’S BELLAGIO TRAGHETTO

I DELIGHT in touring the lake region of northern Italy, as described several times here. One of these lakes, Lago di Como, is the site of a Bellagio Traghetto adventure with … Continue reading

March 7, 2014 · 3 Comments

AN OLD CHINA HAND

THERE’S SPECIAL charm—not to say downright adventure—trusting the advice of old guidebooks. Something worth seeing 100 years ago is likely still worth a view, provided, of course, it’s still there. … Continue reading

February 18, 2014 · 1 Comment

KAPPABASHI—KITCHEN TOWN

ARE YOU looking for plastic sushi to mix and match with your friends? How about a make-believe plate of spaghetti and meatballs? Or, if you’re into the real thing, where … Continue reading

December 1, 2013 · Leave a comment

BURTON HOLMES TRAVELOGUES

“TO TRAVEL,” Burton Holmes said, “is to possess the world.” And to share travelogues with others is a fine way to make a living, as exemplified by Burton Holmes’ photographs … Continue reading

November 26, 2013 · Leave a comment

LE TRAIN BLEU

THE ENGLISH, with a presence in the French Riviera since 1840, all but invented the idea of a Mediterranean resort. And the Companie Internationale des Wagons-Lits et des Grand Express … Continue reading

November 11, 2013 · 1 Comment