Tag: History
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Almost 40 in Japan: Letting It Go in Shirakawa-go’s Winter Wonderland
In Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village tucked in the Japanese Alps, gassho-zukiri farmhouses are blanketed in snow during the winter, creating a magical landscape. Amid travel challenges, I venture to this serene village, reflecting on its rich cultural heritage and the balance between tourism and preservation.
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Almost 40 in Japan: Savoring Kanazawa’s Edo Charm (and Gold Leaf Ice Cream)
A sightseeing trip around Kanazawa reveals the peaceful beauty of Kenroku-en Garden, the charm of the Higashi Chaya District, and the historic draw of the Nagamachi District, among other highlights. The occasional sleet adds to the atmosphere, and indulging in the city’s famous gold leaf ice cream offers a truly luxurious treat.
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Almost 40 in Japan: Meeting a Geisha Up Close in Kyoto
A tea ceremony in Kyoto provides an unforgettable opportunity to meet a geisha. The grace and tradition she embodies offer a glimpse into Japan’s rich cultural heritage, making the experience both enchanting and deeply memorable.
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Almost 40 in Japan: Navigating Kyoto’s Charms and Crowds
Kyoto’s timeless beauty shows in iconic landmarks such as the Fushimi Inari Taisha, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, and Kinkaku-ji. In Southern Higashiyama and Gion, the essence of Japan’s cultural heart unfolds at every corner. Amidst the ancient city’s traditions, I reflect on how Kyoto gracefully navigates the balance between heritage and the demands of modern life.
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Almost 40 in Japan: Starting the Journey in Osaka
A few days before my 40th birthday, I go on a long overdue Japan trip. I start with Osaka, visiting iconic sites such as the historic Osaka Castle, the peaceful Nakanoshima district, and the modern Umeda Sky Building. As I explore its history and culture, Osaka becomes a memorable first stop on this journey.
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Holy Lands Tour Final Stop: Cairo
It’s already late afternoon. The route to our next stop, St. Simon the Tanner Cathedral, skirts through narrow and congested streets. Our bus is too large to pass here, so the group is divided into two taxi vans, kind of like the UV Express in the Philippines but slightly larger. We drive through piles of…
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The Pyramids of Giza: A Morning Among the Ancient Tombs
This morning–our first in Cairo after a relaxing sleep at the hotel following a long drive from St. Catherine–the sun casts a warm glow over the desert and glints off the pyramid’s limestone. We’re standing at the base of an imposing pyramid, the most famous symbol of Egypt and a UNESCO World Heritage site. Even…
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Holy Lands Tour: St. Catherine’s Monastery
The next morning, following breakfast, we set out once more, this time bound for St. Catherine’s Monastery at the base of Mt. Sinai. Here, we plan to reunite with our groupmates who have climbed to the summit for the sunrise. Leaving the comfort of the resort behind, we make the journey from Taba Heights to…
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Thoughts from the Ride to Eilat
Early the next morning, we leave our hotel in Bethlehem and start the long journey to Eilat, Israel’s southernmost city, where we’ll cross the border to Egypt. The drive is nearly two hours to Ein Gedi, the first town after exiting the West Bank to the south, with the sky a pale, early-morning blue and…
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Holy Lands Tour: Jericho
Our group sets off at about 11 am, and as we leave Mount of Olives, the landscape opens to the arid expanse of the Judean Desert. It’s the Shabbat as well, and Jews aren’t allowed to drive on this day, so the highways are almost empty. About an hour later, we stop at a roadside…
The Tourist Gaze 