Thailand is one of my favorite travel memories, not least because of the incredible food traditions of the culture. I've taken two Thai cooking classes on my trips there, both at the same wonderful home-based setting near Chiang Mai's old city. I can highly recommend Vannee and Meo's Classic Home Cooking if you ever venture… Continue reading 2013-14 travel memory: Thai cooking in Chiang Mai + recipe
Category: Travel
2014 Travel memory: lovely handicrafts of Laos
I've found some simple ways to experience joy during this past year of being grounded by the pandemic, many of which are just outside my door in the beautiful Korean countryside. Some other sources of comfort have come from my substantial cache of travel memories I frequently access, as I regard the mementos that surround… Continue reading 2014 Travel memory: lovely handicrafts of Laos
Crochet update and thoughts on summer travel
Summer travel is usually big for me, and I typically try to get out of Korea during the hottest part of the year - my recent favorite August destinations have been home to California; Australia (it's winter Down Under in August); and Japan. This year is different, of course. Travel is made difficult because of… Continue reading Crochet update and thoughts on summer travel
Craft Supplies: Beads from Tokyo
Before I left for my trip to Japan, I did a little online digging for the best places to find crafting supplies. One thing I needed to get for a crochet project was Miyuki beads, which are superior quality machine-made glass seed beads. I learned that there is an entire beads district ("Bead Town") in the… Continue reading Craft Supplies: Beads from Tokyo
Adventures in origami: some places to visit in Tokyo**
This week in Tokyo has been a whirlwind of discovery and delight in Japanese handicrafts, particularly paper and paper folding. There are so many places to learn more about origami and find amazing materials. One of these places is Ochanomizu Origami Kaikan, in the heart of Tokyo, near the Kanda-Myojin Shrine. PHOTO: Storefront of Origami… Continue reading Adventures in origami: some places to visit in Tokyo**
My foray into the world of Japanese anime dolls
"Foray" is the operative word for my brief incursion into the foreign, but fascinating (and vast) anime doll craze. My niece is into Japanese anime drawing, so I thought she would love a 3-D model from which to base her sketches. What better place to get one than in Tokyo. I am a fish out… Continue reading My foray into the world of Japanese anime dolls
First 48 in Tokyo
My first two days in Tokyo have been busy ones! I'm having a great time, and glad to have chosen to stay in the Asakusa area, as it's convenient to so many things I want to do. PHOTO: Good Morning, Tokyo! A glimpse of the Skytree from my room. One of my favorite activities so… Continue reading First 48 in Tokyo
First leg of my trip – Gyeongsan to Busan by Korail
Bags are packed, my puppy is boarded, now I’m on my way. I travel from Gyeongsan to Busan today, because my flight leaves really early from there. I had a migraine yesterday, so it’s left me with ultra-low energy today, unfortunately. One step at a time. PHOTOS: on the left, leaving home wearing my Mandala… Continue reading First leg of my trip – Gyeongsan to Busan by Korail
A couple of my current projects, and preparing for Tokyo
I leave for Tokyo early Wednesday morning (Korea time), so these next two days will be busy packing, planning, taking my dog to his sitter, and coming to a comfortable pause on some of my projects. I babysat my friend's shih tzu these last ten days. He just went home today, and I'm a little… Continue reading A couple of my current projects, and preparing for Tokyo
Tokyo bound in February
In about 10 days, I’ll be on my way to Tokyo, Japan for sightseeing, shopping, and plenty of cultural immersion. This will be my second trip to Tokyo, and my sixth visit to Japan. It's been about 8 1/2 years since I last visited Tokyo, but I have great memories of many iconic sights, including… Continue reading Tokyo bound in February