One of my favorite areas in Tokyo is the quiet, residential, historic enclave of Yanaka (谷中). Three years ago, I took a wonderful guided half-day tour here (see my post from Feb. 2020), and was fortunate to have the guide all to myself. That day, I was able to visit the extraordinary Nezu Shrine, the… Continue reading Tokyo cameo – Yanaka, Ueno
Category: Travel
Making paper in Japan + daily prompt: “What is something you learned recently?”
This WP daily prompt is so timely, as only 24 hours ago, I returned from a weeklong trip to Tokyo. It was an adventure packed with sights, tastes, and sounds that are unique to this fascinating place. People close to me know that I rarely take the kinds of trips that feature mai-tais and lazy… Continue reading Making paper in Japan + daily prompt: “What is something you learned recently?”
Adventures in origami 2.0: Tokyo paper crawl (shopping)
After three years of being away from Japan, I'm back for a week of good eating and cultural appreciation in the amazing capital city. Much of my fun in Tokyo will center around some of Japan's signature arts and crafts, including many forms of creativity that use paper. One of my favorite ways to use… Continue reading Adventures in origami 2.0: Tokyo paper crawl (shopping)
Thoughts on masks + Japan travel
The Covid era is slowly drawing to a close in the Far East (but its not over, yet). Almost two weeks ago, South Korea lifted its indoor mask mandate in most public places. That includes shops, restaurants, and gyms, but masks on public transportation are still required. Korea has been one of the last holdouts… Continue reading Thoughts on masks + Japan travel
Bloganuary: “What’s your favorite meal to cook or eat?” + Vietnamese cooking
When it comes to food, I can't play favorites. I'm a very adventurous eater, and I'm not afraid of the exotic. Food is one way I learn about a culture and people when I travel, and connect with friends and family at home. I've been called a foodie, and I'd agree, except that it sounds… Continue reading Bloganuary: “What’s your favorite meal to cook or eat?” + Vietnamese cooking
Bloganuary: “What fear have you conquered?” + Happy New Year in Hanoi
Today's Bloganuary prompt is challenging for me, as I can't exactly say that I have "conquered" any fear, but I have definitely tamed a few. Some fears are hungry bugbears that need habitual discipline to keep them at bay. I am writing to you from my vacation digs in Hanoi, Vietnam, where I arrived solo… Continue reading Bloganuary: “What fear have you conquered?” + Happy New Year in Hanoi
Bloganuary: “What is your preferred mode of travel?” + 2016 Travel Memory: Cambodia
This WordPress question is really timely, since I am gearing up for a trip to Hanoi, Vietnam in about 48 hours. Unfortunately, I have had a splitting migraine since yesterday, and I am just this morning out of the fog enough to answer this one (and get back to packing). The short answer to this… Continue reading Bloganuary: “What is your preferred mode of travel?” + 2016 Travel Memory: Cambodia
Peek at summer trip photos; my crochet project this month
Greetings from Korea! I came back from California about three weeks ago, and have since started my new semester. I've had a hard time getting back into blogging after coming back, but I'm working on posting more regularly from now on! One gets busy simply living life, and occasionally neglects to document things. A view… Continue reading Peek at summer trip photos; my crochet project this month
San Diego Botanic Garden; random WIPs
With only about a week left of my trip home in California, I guess it's time to share a few things here on the ol' blog. I've been up and down the state these last four weeks, and I have a lot of wonderful photos I'll share in the coming days. Last week, Mom and… Continue reading San Diego Botanic Garden; random WIPs
WIP updates & Busan sea view
Korea is deep into the mid-summer monsoon season, with heavy rains, heat, humidity, spectacular cloud formations, and glaring sun when it does shine. I just returned from a quick trip to Busan, Korea's second-largest city, at the southernmost tip of the peninsula. I lived in Busan for three years when I first began working in… Continue reading WIP updates & Busan sea view
The Frill Seeker 