The Quest for Signs

Twelve years ago, we made a three-part Travel Skills Special for public television. We did our best to make it timeless. (As you can imagine, this was tricky. For example, the euro currency was not quite in circulation back then, but posters were up hyping it — so we referred to the euro as if it were already in circulation, and were careful not to film any soon-to-be-retired coinage.) Now we are dedicating 18 days to producing an updated, three-part Travel Skills Special, which is part of our new 14-episode series that begins airing this fall. For me, as a travel teacher, it’s a delight to have reason to get down to the basic skills of travel.

Train Sign

Each Car Is Clearly Marked
Revisiting our Travel Skills Special, I’m impressed at how Europe has changed. Visually, there’s been a huge leap in sleek architecture, aerodynamically designed trains, and electronic signage. With this series, you’ll know to check outside the car: This one, going from Munich to Dortmund, is first-class, non-smoking, and quiet, and prohibits the use of cell phones.

Signs

Can’t Touch This: No, No, No, No, No.
While filming our new Travel Skills Special, we spent a couple of days looking for road signs to help teach the basic tips. It took time because people seem to enjoy defacing road signs with decals and graffiti. This fun bit of urban art in Antwerp might have made our work much easier. But talk about negative!

Your Language Always Makes the Cut
For thirty years, I’ve been taking photos of this kiosk in Bruges (where people buy tickets for a canal boat tour) to illustrate how, when it comes to the language barrier, anyone who wants your money will tell you how to spend it in whatever languages are necessary — and English always makes the cut. Another lesson: Even if you don’t speak the language of a sign, with a little logic and confidence, you and guess the meaning of most.

Comments

2 Replies to “The Quest for Signs”

  1. Photographing signs can be fun. I’ve been doing it for years. Signage seems to be a reflection of one aspect of culture, although these days they do appear to be more generic. I also like to record graffiti. Eg. a black feltpen sign on the plexiglas of a Scottish village bus stop: “Save your lunch money. Learn judo.” lol

  2. Use an open Q & A format so anyone is free to ask directly. Arrangements for country decor will utilize an ornate container with many flowers that could have just been picked from the backyard garden. Essentially you want to find a way to let go of whatever little “mind irritations” might be interfering with your ability to concentrate.

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