Dries Buytaert

Photos from February 2025

A woman using steam to soften and shape a custom hat.
A hatmaker in Austin, Texas, shaping a custom hat using steam.

· Miscellaneous

Handwritten barbecue menu on butcher paper hanging on a wall. It lists meats and sides with prices per pound, including brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, turkey, sausage, and jalapeño cheddar sausage.
I finally ate at Franklin Barbecue in Austin – the undisputed king of Texas brisket and one of the most famous BBQ places in the United States. Pitmaster Aaron Franklin has a James Beard Award, a Netflix feature, a 10-episode PBS series, and a daily line around the block. Some people even bring camp chairs for the wait. We got there at 10:20am to beat the rush but still had to wait in line for two hours. Was it worth it? Absolutely.

· Miscellaneous

A basketball player in a green jersey jumps to take a shot while a defender in blue attempts to block his shot.
The game was tied and every play mattered. As one player rose for the shot, the defense jumped with him. The crowd was on the edge of their seats. For a moment, everything hung in the air.

· Miscellaneous

Amsterdam canal with houseboats, calm water reflections, and the Rijksmuseum in the distance under an overcast sky.
Our second visit to Amsterdam this year, and it's only February. A final stroll along the canals before our flight back to Boston.

· Miscellaneous