Here are some thoughts and lesson’s learned for packing to walk the Camino de Santiago… Valuables – you need some sort of small bag for your valuables and items you want to keep on you at all times. This means while sleeping, showering, and walking. It can be a butt/fanny pack, a travel pouch around…
From guest writer, Emily Wilberg… Cambridge, Ohio may not be on the top of your list of vacation spots, but we go a couple times a year. For one thing, I have family history there as it is where my mother and her mother grew up. For another… well, we will get to that. Cambridge,…
Last week I finished the first section of my Camino pilgrimage. 12 days, 272km (I had to take a cab the last few km in order to catch my bus), Saint Jean Pier de Port France to just shy of Burgos Spain. The Camino de Santiago is known as the Way of St. James. While…
Hiking is not the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about Tokyo. But on second thought, it makes sense considering the amount of mountains on this small island about the size of California. Just west of Tokyo center is Tama which is ripe with day hiking options. In my first three months living…
I lived in Japan as a pre-teen in the late 1980’s. Japanese toilets are a memory that have stuck with me over the past 30 years. I remember “squatty potties”. I remember I needed to carry toilet paper. I remember being grossed out at the mess on the bathroom floor. Let me tell you, they…
Some believe the HMS Victory, the USS constitution and the Mikasa are the three most important and well known memorial ships. The Mikasa is docked in Yokosuka Japan and easy drive or train ride from the Center of Tokyo. For a Westerner, the Mikasa carries the history of a time not often studied. Built in…
Spring time in Japan is beautiful. It begins in March with a preamble of the blooming of the Plum trees. The main event is early April with the Sakura (Cherry Blossoms). This Spring I had the pleasure to attend 3 Hamuri (Spring festivals to celebrate and view the Cherry Blossoms). While the Cherry Blossoms are…
This past weekend I visited my first Onsen (natural hot water bath) . I loved it and would highly recommend it if visiting Japan. Here are some tips to get you started: Take your shoes off as soon as you enter the Onsen. You should see lockers or a place for your shoes. There will…
Let me start off with some honesty. I hate sports. In fact, regardless of who you are and where you are from – you will be hard pressed to find someone who cares less than I do. I have been to two football games in my life (I brought a book both times). I have…
As I have said before, my friend Walter is an amazing photographer. Check out some of his recent photos of Okinawa. Check out his page Spokenlight for more photos!
Tokyo is a massive city and figuring out where to start can be overwhelming. To get you going, I recommend a half day in Asakusa. Located in the “low city”, Asakusa is home to Sensoji, a 7th century Buddhist temple. The temple is an easy 5 minute walk from Asakusa station and is accessed by a…
I successfully made the move from Washington DC to Tokyo Japan just in time for Plum Blossoms in March and the Cherry Blossoms in April. But first things first, the easiest way to get around Japan regardless of the time of year, or how long you are here, is the subway. If you are only…
