One of the challenges of travel is having to bring myself with me. If the trip is going to be more than passive entertainment, I have to try to erode my preconceived notions, prejudices, blindspots, and cultural programming. This week I felt shock when I first saw the scene pictured at the top of this…… Continue reading Travelling with Cultural Baggage
Category: Learn
Let’s Play “Which Button Do I Press?”
Question 1: Which button do I press to dispense hot water? A Japanese hotel room is an oasis from the complexity of navigating Japan. I can kick back, have a nice cup of tea, and calmly plan my next adventures. Or can I? Most Japanese hotel rooms have buttons you need to press to complete…… Continue reading Let’s Play “Which Button Do I Press?”
A Tale of Two Falls
At the start of today’s hike in Northumberland, England, we came upon a hiker who had slipped and made a faceplant on the street. He was elderly, and his vision was sub-par. He was bleeding from cuts beside one eye and on his wrist.My brother-in-law had a surprising variety of wound dressings in his pack,…… Continue reading A Tale of Two Falls
Travel Gear: Wot, No Passport?
On a recent flight from Tokyo to San Francisco, I found a Canadian passport. The owner of the passport would have been in for a surprise when he reached for his passport at US Border Control. Maybe he had a NEXUS card, or maybe United Airlines would have to fly him back to Tokyo where he…… Continue reading Travel Gear: Wot, No Passport?
Cycle, LRT, Cycle, Classroom
Replay of Monday: cycle, LRT, cycle, classroom.
Back to School
Went back to school.
Lava: It’s Scientific Fun!
We walked on lava through fern forests down to two calderas. We rested on chunks of lava with steam rising around us.Our nephews (7 and 8) were in good spirits but they got a little bored towards the end. To distract I demonstrated how to make a whistle by clamping a grass leaf between the…… Continue reading Lava: It’s Scientific Fun!
Living History
Attended a lecture on Nordeast (Minneapolis) history in a Catholic church. Most attendees had lived the history.
Wabi-Sabi Lessons for Imperfect Journeys
“Wabi-sabi represents the exact opposite of the Western ideal of great beauty as something monumental, spectacular, and enduring. Wabi-sabi is not found in nature at moments of bloom and lushness, but at moments of inception or subsiding. Wabi-sabi is not about gorgeous flowers, majestic trees, or bold landscapes. Wabi-sabi is about the minor and the…… Continue reading Wabi-Sabi Lessons for Imperfect Journeys
Travel Gear: Clean Clothes
For me, freedom is traveling light with just one change of clothes. That still translates into wearing clean clothes every day. The downside is doing a bit of laundry each day. The upside is traveling with just a carry-on: I walk past the check-in lines and straight to Security. My 35 liter backpack easily fits…… Continue reading Travel Gear: Clean Clothes