About

A history buff, unrepentant foodie, casual scribbler and a wandering traveller in search of great culture and freedom.

I see value in exploring foreign countries, not for the typical “shopping sprees”, but to live like a local and learn their lifestyles – do not ask for the luxurious style, instead, experience the traditional. When in Russia, drink vodka, consume the shaslik and visit every museum and historical site you can imagine. Take on an adventurous evening in the mysterious country on overnight trains from Moscow to St. Petersburg! When in the Netherlands, pop some stroopwafels and dip your Fries in Mayo in typical Orange fashion, stop by the Rijksmuseum and visit the Dutch Kermis! You get the gist of it.

Often in need of intellectual stimulation and having a strong desire to express opinion, I have decided to set up this little blogging area to share my cynical `thoughts.
I hold a strong belief that life is impoverished if one is ignorant of culture, history and great food.

Thanks for dropping by!

Cheers,
The Rustic Recluse

38 thoughts on “About”

forestfae on March 4, 2012 at 11:26 AM said:

I so agree. Have travelled extensivelly through the years but never down the ‘touristy road’.
Always by the road less travelled.

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Ross Gale on April 15, 2012 at 8:15 PM said:

Thanks for the follow, Recluse.

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- Rustic Recluse on April 16, 2012 at 1:46 AM said:
  
  No problem – I like your write-up on what coffee does to people 🙂 While I write at my work too, I don’t get the luxury of writing at a cafe (which I would have preferred to!)
  Keep writing, happy to read your posts – somehow they inspire me to work towards my goals!
  
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wdfyfe on April 23, 2012 at 5:58 PM said:

Like you I’m a bit of a history buff and I wish I could travel a lot more than I do. You have some great photos here and I like your point of view.

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wdfyfe on April 23, 2012 at 5:59 PM said:

Like you I’m a bit of a history buff and I wish I could travel more than I do. You’ve got some great photos here and I like your point of view.

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- Rustic Recluse on May 11, 2012 at 8:11 AM said:
  
  thank you wdfyfe! Love dropping by your site too, I enjoy reading your unique point of view too! 🙂
  
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Frances antoinette on April 28, 2012 at 3:46 PM said:

I have a convention to attend in Amsterdam in several months, and I cannot wait to try freshly made stroopwapfels…I’ve only had the ones “pre-made” whenever I have a connecting flight at the Amsterdam airport. The mention of stroopwafels in your “About” page made my mouth water in anticipation!

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- Rustic Recluse on April 29, 2012 at 2:39 AM said:
  
  I’ll like to have some too! Enjoy your trip to Amsterdam! 🙂
  
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Michelle Fuller on May 11, 2012 at 7:46 AM said:

What a great assessment of travel! I like it, and I also like stroopwafels…I ate way too many last weekend! 🙂 Great blog!

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- Rustic Recluse on May 11, 2012 at 8:08 AM said:
  
  And thanks again for dropping by! I need to visit more of Europe but before I do I’ll be dropping by your site to gather some good tips 🙂
  
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lolabees on May 18, 2012 at 6:52 PM said:

Ahh, the finer things in life… food, travel, culture, history (which I actually enjoy but never could remember any of the details in school.) I’m on board! Looking forward to reading more.

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- Rustic Recluse on May 19, 2012 at 5:42 AM said:
  
  Thanks lolabees! Speaking of food, I really need to read your food/diet blog to keep my diet in check! 🙂
  
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Dana on May 31, 2012 at 3:04 AM said:

I have awarded you The Versatile Blogger award!-enjoy!! http://serenescribe.wordpress.com/2012/05/30/showered-by-the-generosity-of-others-this-week/

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- Rustic Recluse on May 31, 2012 at 3:11 AM said:
  
  Thank you Dana! I’ll get down to writing up the post to accept it appropriately once I can! ❤ Congrats too for your nomination, you deserve it! 🙂
  
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  - Dana on May 31, 2012 at 3:19 AM said:
    
    Thank you and thanks for the support you’ve shown me as well-I look forward to reading more of yours now!
Coach Sue on June 7, 2012 at 9:10 PM said:

You are my kind of traveler! Just thought I would let you know I’ve nominated you for the Reader Appreciation Award. Here’s the link. I will be posting it shortly. http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com/2012/06/07/the-reader-app…ghty-thank-you/

Sue Bock
http://couragetoadventurecoaching.wordpress.com

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- Rustic Recluse on June 8, 2012 at 2:23 AM said:
  
  Thanks in advance! 🙂
  
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The Other Watson on August 18, 2012 at 8:23 AM said:

Hello, your blog is awesome, so have a Liebster Award:
http://wantoncreation.wordpress.com/2012/08/18/the-liebster-award/

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- Rustic Recluse on August 18, 2012 at 2:33 PM said:
  
  Thank you my dear, I am honoured and will definitely get down to this soon!
  
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anyone4curryandotherthings on November 1, 2012 at 11:52 AM said:

By chance I found you today – what a pleasure and joy in a month which is a bit emotional to me. I absolutely loved your 2 shortsorys, “when I am old…” and ‘the steps’. You are a wonderful writer and observer of life. Thank you for coming my way. I follow you now – dont want to miss out on your future postings. (from the history point of view, maybe you like to check my husbands own blog http://www.manningtreearchive.com), Ciao Carina

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wannabephotographer87 on November 5, 2012 at 8:19 PM said:

Thank you so much for following me! I can’t wait to read more about you in your blogs 🙂

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- Rustic Recluse on November 5, 2012 at 10:35 PM said:
  
  Thanks for dropping by. Love the stuff you post and your photos are really nice! 🙂
  
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  - wannabephotographer87 on November 5, 2012 at 11:34 PM said:
    
    Thank you 😀
Lynne Ayers on January 6, 2013 at 10:50 PM said:

Agree with you on your style of travel – where the crowds aren’t is where I prefer to be – the small towns, the back roads – local trains, subway, commuter buses – we’ve been fortunate enough to take several driving holidays in Europe and there is so much more freedom and the memories I hold dearest are of those places we discovered on our own.

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- Rustic Recluse on February 19, 2013 at 8:29 AM said:
  
  I’m so sorry I only saw and approved this now Lynne! Thanks for coming by – and absolutely – holidays in Europe and Australia/New Zealand are quite leisurely as long as you get to drive. It’s always fun to explore and discover rather than follow the fixed itineraries from tour groups. You kinda wake up and do anything you wish to after checking the weather! 🙂
  
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Edibles&Travels on February 13, 2013 at 7:53 AM said:

Wonderful blog!!

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Carl D'Agostino on March 15, 2013 at 7:09 PM said:

do not see follow button (?)

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- Rustic Recluse on March 22, 2013 at 3:38 AM said:
  
  Hi Carl, thanks for dropping by! It must be around – top left corner, I presume? 🙂 Cheers!
  
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graypoet on March 19, 2013 at 4:54 PM said:

I’ve nominated you for The Very Inspiring Blogger Award and hope you accept. I enjoy your blog and hope others will also.

You can check my nomination at: http://graypoet.wordpress.com/2013/03/19/me_inspiriing/

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- Rustic Recluse on March 20, 2013 at 3:59 AM said:
  
  Thank you so much! I’ll work on it and post later! 🙂
  
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zupher on November 5, 2013 at 10:15 AM said:

Nice blog you have here. Love the pictures, the stories and the poems ~~ You’re very versatile and talented. Looking forward to read more from you….

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ksbeth on February 29, 2016 at 10:39 AM said:

hi, rr – thanks for reading and following my words. your blog looks so interesting, i can’t wait to do the same. best, beth

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Peter Wells aka Countingducks on February 29, 2016 at 11:11 AM said:

I can see you are a man like me in many ways and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance in the Blogosphere. Thank you so much for all your kind comments on my Blog 🙂

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- Rustic Recluse on March 1, 2016 at 7:28 AM said:
  
  Peter, thank you for dropping by. I have become a fan of your writing. Cheers.
  
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Rashminotes on June 16, 2016 at 10:34 AM said:

You have a lovely blog! Look forward to reading many of your posts:)

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- Rustic Recluse on June 17, 2016 at 3:33 AM said:
  
  Thanks!
  
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