5 Facts About Beloved Journalist Herb Caen
Dubbed ‘Mr. San Francisco,’ journalist Herb Caen had a devoted readership for his regular, colorful column for the San Francisco Chronicle from 1936 to 1996 (Caen died in 1997). He had such an enthusiastic fan base that at one point, The Chronicle started to repackage his old columns as ‘Classic Caen’ for Sunday editions. Here are five facts about the dapper, legendary columnist:
He Coined the Term ‘Beatnik’
In 1958, Russia launched their landmark ‘sputnik’ satellite, which resulted in the use of –nik suffixes in the media. Months later, Caen coined the term ‘Beatnik’—somewhat pejoratively—to refer to the Beat Generation of the 50s, spearheaded by literary giants like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg. The term caught on, and ‘Beatnik’ was used to describe a person belonging to the Beat subculture of the 50’s.
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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
CentralAmerica
1. Guatemala
An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.Next
CentralAmerica
2. Belize
A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea. Next
CentralAmerica
3. Mexico
An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different. SouthAmerica
1. Ecuador
A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.Next
SouthAmerica
2. Peru
An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon. Europe
1. Italy
The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.Next
Europe
2. Scotland
Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers. Next
Europe
3. Portugal
A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers. Asia
1. South Korea
Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.Next
Asia
2. Thailand
From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise. Next
Asia
3. Sri Lanka
A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price Africa
1. Morocco
An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!Next
Africa
2. Egypt
From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt. Next
He Christened San Francisco as ‘Baghdad by the Bay’
Originally the title of a collection of essays Caen published about San Francisco in the 1950s, he used the nickname ‘Baghdad by the Bay’ to refer to the city. Although now the moniker has negative connotations, back when Caen used the term, he was referencing the ancient capital of Iraq to make it synonymous with the variety of people and cultures found in San Francisco.
Purveyor of ‘Three Dot Journalism’
Caen described his style of writing as ‘three dot journalism’: a column with a series of items (such as anecdotes, gossip etc.) separated by ellipses. During the time he started writing his column (1936), this style of writing was popular in American newspapers. But his approach was so distinctive that the promenade named after him on Embarcadero was titled as the ‘Herb Caen Way…’ (note the ellipses at the end).
He Wrote on a Royal Typewriter Until his Death
Towards the end of his career, his productivity slowed down—writing five columns a week, rather than his usual seven. But even at the end of his career, he typed out all his pieces on a Royal typewriter—using just two fingers. Reportedly his typewriter was the last one used at The Chronicle.
He Won the Pulitzer Prize
…58 years after he started writing. It took the jury over five decades to acknowledge his work and a year after receiving his ‘Special’ Pulitzer as the ‘voice and conscience’ of San Francisco, he died of lung cancer.
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