September 25, 2005
Home Away From Home
Home away from home. The word “home” sounds to me like people have only one home at a time. “Home away from home”, then, would mean some place other than one’s home that is as comfortable, relaxing, and familiar as one’s own. In the particular case of Japan, this also would mean, to me personally, that it is my homeland away from my current residence in Northern California. These first two weeks, since we arrived at Kyoto, my hometown, on September 15, have shown us that neither of the above meanings of “home” is true; at least for now.
Continue reading "Home Away From Home"April 16, 2005
In and Around Ubud
Bali has a special place in our hearts. We came here for the first time on our honeymoon in October 1994, and it was the first time that we traveled together outside the US. Denpasar was a mid-sized town back then, and Ubud still had the feeling of a small village. So much has changed since our first visit that we hardly recognize it. Ubud still remains the center of Bali’s cultural community, and holds a significant place in the minds of every Balinese. Even with all the changes over the past 10 years, Ubud is still surrounded by gorgeous rice paddies that remind us of our first visit.
Continue reading "In and Around Ubud"April 13, 2005
New Years With A Splash
April means summer and with it comes a new year here in Thailand. “Songkran”, as it’s called, is the Thai New Year celebration that lasts for three days. During this time, people visit their temple to pray for health and prosperity, spend time with family and friends, and then wash away their sins in a nationwide water fight. The custom is to splash water and smear a paste of talcum powder on each other. If you venture out on the streets you’re bound to be drenched, and it’s a welcomed way of cooling off in the hottest season of the year.
Continue reading "New Years With A Splash"April 04, 2005
Along the Dusty Road
It’s April in Siem Reap, and the dry heat is unbearable. The streets are dusty and dirty, like the children that make them their home. Mothers, holding babies, sit outside the many restaurants begging for change. The people here have certain edginess about them; perhaps a reminder of their countries troubled past and the persistent poverty that continues to haunt them. April is the tail end of high season, and many windows in the up-market hotels remain dark. There are scores of services geared to the tourist market, attached with Western style prices. The local food stalls can be reasonable, but still come with special tourist pricing that we’ve not experienced elsewhere. We have just arrived, yet, we feel at odds with the town already.
Continue reading "Along the Dusty Road"March 28, 2005
Million Elephants, White Parasol
We find ourselves at yet another World Heritage site. The entire town of Luang Prabang, in northern Laos, is the UNESCO site. The promotion of the town as "the foremost tourist showplace in Laos" had us worried. We prayed that the quiet beauty found throughout Laos wouldn't be overrun by the town’s UNESCO status. To our relief, it has kept its culture and charm intact.
Continue reading "Million Elephants, White Parasol"