Articles from this Category
June 5, 2023
Japan is called the “land of the rising sun” because, from China, it appears that the sun rises from the direction of Japan. Nearly 30 million tourists visit the archipelago of thousands of islands every year because there are so many famous things in Japan to see. The island country offers a diversity of contrasts […]
September 17, 2018
“Stop laughing. You need the right attitude if you want to look like a geisha of Gion!” I said to Rebecca and Marie, head turned away to hide my own smirk. We shuffled our way towards the shrine looming at the end of the cobblestone street, less than a quarter of a mile away. The […]
February 1, 2015
“No giggling allowed!” I said to Rebecca and Marie, head turned away to hide my own smirk. “We need the right attitude to pull this off.” Shuffling our feet an inch at a time, we painstakingly made our way towards the shrine looming at the end of the cobblestone street, less than a quarter of […]
February 16, 2014
Are the unique dishes in Japan delicious….or horrible? Will the food have you clamoring for more…or send scampering to find one of Japan’s unique and weird toilets? Remember this jump rope song (okay, I know I’m dating myself!): “Apple on a stick. Makes me sick.” I have a better one: Squid on a skewer. Put […]
January 28, 2014
“Everyone is staring at us,” said Rebecca. “That’s because you’re dressed like a Geisha!” I reminded her. I have to admit, she did look stunning, even minus a Japanese heritage. Kyoto is awash in stunning sights, and with a pair of good walking shoes and a lot of energy and motivation, it’s possible to see […]
September 11, 2013
Updated 3/23/2023 Once impenetrable shogun castles now standing sentry to empty chambers… ancient shrines wafting incense across ethereal Buddha images… slick skyscrapers and neon lights that surpass even New York City’s Times Square… Geishas on their way to the shrine. Bullet trains aside, seeing “the land of the rising sun” in a week – a […]
September 5, 2013
This is why I love traveling with my peeps, Marie and Rebecca… On our recent trip to Japan, we were stuck in the Osaka railway station, waiting to be picked up by our guide, who was late and still stuck in rush hour traffic. After wasting an hour in a jam-packed restaurant, I suggested that […]