Articles from this Category
March 20, 2017
“Aaarrrggghhhh,” I screamed when I felt something crawling on my head. “What is it?” “It’s a giant grasshopper,” said Alison. “Wait a minute, hold still. I want to get a picture.” “Get it off! Now!” I bellowed “No, leave it. It’s good luck,” she insisted. China is full of surprises, from superstitions to fascinating food […]
February 12, 2017
Ask a random sampling of people about their bucket list destinations, and virtually all of them will mention the Great Wall of China, probably near or at the top. “He Who Has Never Been to the Great Wall Is Not a True Man” I’m no exception. My two-week trip to China was prompted by my […]
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 […]