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Month: May 2017

Duck Hunting, Monetary Policy and Amusement Parks for Turtles – Stories of Jekyll Island

Duck Hunting, Monetary Policy and Amusement Parks for Turtles – Stories of Jekyll Island

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In November of the year 1910, six men boarded a private train car in New Jersey using only their first names and rode by night for hundreds of miles. Their official story was that they were going on a duck hunting trip. After they arrived in Georgia, they boarded a private launch. Their destination was Jekyll Island. This group of men included Senator Nelson Aldrich, the chairman of the Senate Finance Committee , A.P. Andrews, the Assistant Secretary of the…

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The Gullah and Geechee – People of the Sea Islands

The Gullah and Geechee – People of the Sea Islands

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If you go to the city market in Charleston, South Carolina on any given day, it is likely that you will notice women selling or making sweetgrass baskets. You may also find them on King Street or elsewhere in town sitting on folding chairs, displaying their beautiful baskets on blankets on the sidewalk. These baskets are a tradition of the Gullah culture. The men and women who weave them also harvest the grass and dry it as they have for…

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The Sea Islands of the Carolina and Georgia Coast

The Sea Islands of the Carolina and Georgia Coast

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This month we move on to the Sea Islands, a chain of coastal barrier islands lining the Southeastern Atlantic Coast from South Carolina to the northern tip of Florida. By the way, Island Profiles is celebrating its first birthday, having explored 12 exciting island destinations over the last year. We started with Montréal and the islands of Quebec last May. I am very excited about the Sea Islands. There is an incredible amount of history, culture and beauty to explore. …

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Estonian food and drink

Estonian food and drink

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Estonian cuisine has been formed and influenced by the various powers that have controlled  its territory.  The Scandinavian countries, Germany, Poland and Russia have all influenced what goes on the table in Estonia and its islands. In Estonian cuisine, meat and potatoes dominate, but fish is very prevalent on the islands and coastal regions.  Pork is the most common meat and one of the most popular main dishes is composed of pork, sauerkraut, apples, onions and barley. The Estonians use…

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Estonian Swedes, the Eiffel Tower and Singing Sand – More Estonian Islands

Estonian Swedes, the Eiffel Tower and Singing Sand – More Estonian Islands

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Vormsi Vormsi is the fourth largest of the Estonian islands and is located between the mainland and Hiiumaa. It is called Ormsö in Swedish and Worms in German, but translates to ‘Snake Island’.  I haven’t been able to find out exactly why, but I am sure that this would not be such a popular holiday destination if it were like the Snake Island off the coast of Sao Paolo, Brazil, to which travel is forbidden. Vormsi and its 14 villages…

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Hiiumaa

Hiiumaa

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Hiiumaa is Estonia’s second largest island and lies to the north of Saaremaa and Muhu. This heavily forested island is as unspoiled as it gets. The fresh pine scented air, sea breezes and overall serenity continue to lure many visitors to the island and have helped to establish its reputation as a retreat for artists and musicians. Hiiumaa’s history goes back to 4,000 BC when the island was mainly populated by nomadic Germanic tribes.  The Swedes took over in 1300…

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