Kwei Quartey, MD, blogs about African writing and literature, African mysteries, being a Ghanaian-American writer, travel to Africa and beyond, human rights, politics, popular culture, and medicine.

The Reality Of Smoking In Spain To be blunt, Spain has a massive smoking problem. It is a pandemic. In Oviedo one morning ,  a boy of sixteen or seventeen walked past me taking long drags on a cigarette. For him, it was ordinary. For me, it was a mixture of resentment over exposure to secondhand smoke and dismay that someone so young was already very likely addicted to cigarettes. But that wasn't the worst of examples. Perhaps even worse was a young mother smoking next to her

Exploring the Covadonga Lakes: Nature's Hidden Gem in Northern Spain Introduction The Covadonga Lakes in northern Spain are more than just a scenic stop—they’re a geological record. Set high in the Picos de Europa mountains, these lakes were carved by glaciers thousands of years ago. Today, the area draws visitors for its layered history: the battle that began the Reconquista, the basilica built into the landscape, and the stark white limestone that frames every view. Mount

The Camino Primitivo Begins in Oviedo Walking through Oviedo, you’ll notice bronze scallop shells set into the pavement. These markers...

Oviedo’s Unique Character: The Skyline Without Skyscrapers Oviedo doesn’t need glass towers to impress. Strict urban planning laws keep...

Living in Oviedo, Spain: The Pros Oviedo’s architecture, statues & fountains Short version: elegant, human-scaled buildings—and a...

A Visit to the Policía Nacional HQ Yesterday morning, I found myself at the Policía Nacional HQ in Oviedo. Don't worry; it was just for...

San Francisco Park, Oviedo Next Step in Oviedo Travel Once I woke up on day two, I had two priorities: to wander and observe, and to find...

T4 at Madrid-Barajas Airport Terminal 4 at Madrid–Barajas isn’t just striking—it’s designed to calm. The wave-like bamboo ceiling,...

I’m jumping on for a quick update about my move to Oviedo, España. Last week was stressful as I moved into temporary lodgings at an Airbnb. My lease at my Pasadena apartment had come to an end. Booking an Airbnb—what I'm calling an "Airbnb shuffle"—is always a bit of a gamble. Unfortunately, my first choice was not great. It had an unwelcoming appearance outside. Peeling, bile-colored paint When the Photos Lie Inside wasn’t much better. The cramped quarters looked nothing lik

An African American in Spain – One Month Out I’m holding in my hand the thing that makes it all real. A shiny, official Spanish visa...

Normandy: Visible war. Human sacrifice (Open AI) B-2 Bomber: Invisible war. Remote destruction (Open AI) Tonight (June 20, 2025), the...

The Myth Exploded: MeidasTouch Investigation According to a May 2025 exclusive from the MeidasTouch Network , Donald Trump handed South...

Fiction has always been a powerful tool for storytelling and cultural expression. Through narratives, it shapes our understanding of the...

Wherein little policy is discussed and flattery flows more copiously than wine at His Majesty's banquet. His Majesty and The Royal...

Why measles vaccine misinformation could bring back diseases we thought were gone for good. MMR vaccine—protection against measles,...

Finding Inspiration Amidst Challenges For a time, it felt like the fire had gone out. Leaving the U.S. under political pressure and...

The lush green of Oviedo and surroundings (Reconstructed with AI) There are moments in life when we are faced with choices so profound...

Storytelling has a unique power. It connects us, educates us, and captivates our imagination. One of the storytellers who masterfully...

Understanding the Current Outbreak Measles is making a dangerous comeback in the U.S. As of March 2025, over 200 cases (likely an...

Legacy Media Unraveled: Power, Influence, and the Press (Image: Leonardo AI) A Blaze of Euphemisms If you’ve been following the...