BELLINGHAM – Rick Steves would probably love Bellingham as much as his grandmother loves Rick Steves.
“Bellingham is simply a position where, I think, Kathmandu (in Nepal) is a household word,” the popular editor said in a phone call with the Bellingham Herald. “People look outward, prioritize and are thoughtful. “
This last detail is vital for the “Europe through the back door” artist, who sees his paintings as a source of inspiration for reflective journeys.
“Silly travelers are content to walk down Amsterdam’s main street, Damrak, as they call it. And right there, between Hooters and the Hard Rock Café, they find a box that advertises tickets for advertising devices,” Steves said. “They’ll buy them, and I think that’s what you have to do here in Amsterdam: the torture cell, the wax museum and the Dalí exhibition. “
Steves will be coming to town on April 4th for a convention hosted through Village Books at Bellingham High School. Edmonds-based Steves has a habit of driving an hour north, dating back to when he was writing his own book in the 1980s. More recently, he gave a lecture at Village Books, which he called “a of the most beloved bookstores in the United States.
“I think for about 20 years or more I’ve been coming to Bellingham to lecture with Village Books,” Steve said. “We try to do this every year and share the latest news in Europe. so that other people can learn about my mistakes instead of their own smart ones. “
Steves, who just returned from a vacation in Italy, said he plans to focus his speech on how Europe has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Europe is evolving, my job is to make mistakes, take notes,” Steves said. “When they scam me, I go out partying, they don’t know who they just scammed. I’m going to educate myself on this scam and incorporate it into my speech, and then pass it home and share it with people.
Over the course of the pandemic, according to Steves, tourist spots began to appreciate the controlled crowds brought on by COVID-19 protection protocols, and many kept them going.
“In Europe, they’re eagerly taking advantage of the fact that they’re not facing a pandemic, it’s just crazy and crazy. But one thing they’ve maintained is that a lot of sites that were once busy appreciate being able to require other people to have a scheduled entrance, so there’s not a crowd scene at the front door,” Steves said.
Travelers who haven’t adapted to those new protocols threaten an adventure filled with delays and twists and turns along the way.
“If you didn’t know, it’s quite possible that you pass by the Sagrada Familia church in Barcelona, or the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam, or the Borghese Gallery in Rome and think you can just walk in,” Steves said. “But no, you can’t buy a ticket price at the door, you have to have it in advance at many of those places. “
This is for Steves, who has made a career out of defending well-planned trips.
“A trip, if it’s well planned, can be a life-changing experience,” Steves said. “I love the concept of transformative travel, which involves just a little bit of planning. “
Where: Bellingham High School, 2020 Cornwall Avenue, Bellingham
When: The occasion begins at 7 p. m. on April 4.