asia
All Asia-bound travelers need some guidance before tackling the largest and most populous continent on Earth.
Into the Inaka
There's this feeling I have even now when I look back on the experience of leaving Tokyo and going north to Fukushima, which was the place where I would teach. It's a feeling of warmth and adventure and mystery. I remember the rolling hills that were lush green in the summer and the perfect square plots of rice fields that ran past like bars of rest on a musical piece. The city disappeared and then it seemed that there was never a city. Everything rewound 60 years. There were old thatched huts, but we were on an interstate in an air-conditioned bus and so this naturally brought me back to the present. I was with around 40 other teachers and we were all starting out the year in Fukushima. It was 2009 and just changing to the Indian start of summer. It was late summer when the green couldn't be more dark and this hinted that the next movement would be the withdrawing of chlorophyll from everything green.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Wander
Re-Entry
I'd be lying if I told you that when I arrived in Narita Airport in July of 2009 that it was a new experience. The summer of 2009 marked the third time I had ventured to Japan. The first time was when I was bridging the gap between middle school and high school and the second time was as a Sophomore in college. The experience is always new though, and that is precisely why it always feels new. Ten hours on a plane renders most vegetables less than fresh and humans in this way are very much like vegetables. There was lots of soon to be teachers at the airport that day and we all were filed into a group where we awaited our introduction to life in the JET Program. It was maybe afternoon when we landed in Tokyo and usually, a flight of that length puts everyone into a philosophical state. It was all quite a surreal experience realizing that I would be living in Japan for at least one year, compounded by the reality that I was certain that teaching in this way was as new as new could be. We all were loaded onto buses and then were transported to a nice Tokyo hotel where orientation would take place.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Wander
The Flow
Once I was in the flow everything happened fast. I still remember rising early in the morning in Cairns and saying goodbye at a corner to Jen and then walking to the airport. A few hours later I was in Cairns and a couple days later I was looking at the Pacific Ocean en route to California and then Colorado. The wheels were turning for Japan though. I had applied for The JET Program from Australia. At that time though I had no clue what would happen. So often my life has plopped me right back down on Main Street in Aspen, Colorado and told me to be patient and start over and so there I was. The musical ringing from Australia hadn't subsided and soon I met up with an old friend and we formed a makeshift band. I got a regular gig for apre ski and met quite a few music connections. The glitter was still pouring out that year from Australia and everything was in movement.
By Sound And The Messenger9 years ago in Wander
Learning to Love Vietnam
A while ago, I was living in Chiangmai, in Northern Thailand, while writing a book. Every three months, I had to leave Thailand to renew my visa, so I'd take a trip to one or other of the nearby countries, stay a week or two, then come back. These visa runs were special - a quick infusion of the new to break up my routine in Chiangmai
By Roger Wells9 years ago in Wander
10 Reasons Why I Want to Visit Japan, and Why You Should Too!
Japan is a unique country with its beautiful architecture and contrasting culture compared to the United States. I think we can all agree that Japan is an interesting and extraordinary trip. So, here is my list explaining why I want to visit Japan, and why you should too.
By Loni Beach9 years ago in Wander
Borocay Beach Time
The Philippines is a fascinating country — an archipelago consisting of over seven thousand islands. The main starting point is the capital Manila — a bustling, thriving city that somehow manages to blend a modern business environment with the chaos and confusion that seems to define the streets of many Asian cities.
By Gareth Johnson9 years ago in Wander
An Expat Guide to South Korea
I moved to South Korea to pursue my Doctoral Degree last February 2015. I did minor research before coming in, since Philippines and South Korea are both Asian countries, I didn't expect there would be a need for huge adjustment. But in South Korea, prepare to be surprised! Here are some of the things I wish someone had briefed me about.
By Cil Borlaza9 years ago in Wander
Beauty in Transience
Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) "season" (it only lasts a week) is a fantastic time to be in Japan. Enjoyed across the nation by young and old alike, it is a festive occasion that has been passed down from generation to generation for some 12 centuries.
By Made in DNA9 years ago in Wander
