Category Archives: Asia

“back when tigers used to smoke” (호랑이 담배 피우던 시절에)

Once upon a time… korean: “back when tigers used to smoke” (호랑이 담배 피우던 시절에) czech: “beyond seven mountain ranges, beyond seven rivers” (za sedmero horami a sedmero řekami) georgian: “there was, and there was not, there was…” (იყო და არა იყო … Continue reading

Posted in Asia, Books, Europe, Restaurants, Writing | Tagged | 1 Comment

Would you pay a fee to visit a bookstore

Bunkitsu (文喫) in Tokyo’s Roppongi neighborhood is a bookstore that stocks more than 30,000 titles. It also features something else: an admission fee. It costs 1,650 yen (USD $10.50) on weekdays and 2,530 yen ($16) on weekends. There’s also a … Continue reading

Posted in Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

“It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry”

As you may have noticed, my latest travel obsession revolves around all things Japan. I have never been, but I’m looking forward to a three week visit this Spring. Between travel video warnings and admonitions about tourist etiquette from Japanese … Continue reading

Posted in Asia, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Snow Patrol

We finally had our first snowfall of the season, which reminded me of this series of snowy woodblock prints by Kawase Hasui. Maybe it had something to do with my purchase of some very expensive plane tickets for a Japan … Continue reading

Posted in Air Travel, Art, Asia, Tourism | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

Used Books and Stuff

I wish that I had this sign years ago when I was selling used books and collectibles at a flea market. While I’m not hawking any secondhand books here, I do have some stuff to share as usual. Overall European rail operators do … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Asia, Books, Bookstore Tourism, Europe, Public Transport | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Traveling Light

In my planning for an upcoming trip to Japan, I stumbled upon a very clever service aimed at visitors. Any Wear, Anywhere is an inspired clothing rental plan that allows tourists to literally travel light. The negative environmental effects of flying were … Continue reading

Posted in Air Travel, Asia, Tourism | Tagged | Leave a comment

“Now a narrative is a story, not logic, nor ethics, nor philosophy.”

“Now a narrative is a story, not logic, nor ethics, nor philosophy. It is a dream you keep having, whether you realize it or not. Just as surely as you breathe, you go on ceaselessly dreaming your story. And in … Continue reading

Posted in Asia, Books, Restaurants, Writing | Tagged , | 2 Comments

Just another marbled Monday

The wavy patterns on the edges, covers, and endpapers on this tooled and blind-stamped, half-bound book are from Carew’s Survey of Cornwall printed in London by Thomas Bensley for J. Faulder and Rees and Curtis in 1811. The marbled-paper pattern is what the University of Washington’s site … Continue reading

Posted in Art, Asia, Europe, History, Travel Writing | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Trans-Global Express

If you love train travel as much as I do, I’m certain that you will enjoy this charming, award-winning film about international train travel. Alan Dransfield had an inspiration for “Trans-Global Express” and here is his story: “A tapestry of … Continue reading

Posted in Asia, Europe, Film, Public Transport, Tourism | Tagged | 1 Comment

Geography Is Destiny

I am an open Geography nerd and have been since childhood. One of my most treasured possessions as a kid was my globe. And, my favorite game was actually called “Geography”. So, it will come as no surprise that I … Continue reading

Posted in Africa, Asia, Canada, Europe, Maps, Middle East, South America, Tourism, USA | Tagged , | Leave a comment