It’s a widely known fact that Poles love their vodka, a spirit with a history and culture that are as interesting and complex as Poland itself. Which is exactly why sampling the national beverage was a main priority of mine when visiting Warsaw last month. But instead of braving the bars (which sources say there …
I consider travel and vacation to be two very different activities. I usually prefer the former, which involves integrating oneself in the culture, meeting the locals, learning a bit of history and getting off the beaten path. Traveling, to me, means attempting to blend in and wanting to leave as an altered and more educated …
Hong Kong is for lovers. Food lovers, that is. So much so that on my most recent visit, I found myself gorging on local treats up to four times a day. Gluttonous? Sure. But, with the city’s infinite number of street food vendors, bustling dim sum bruncheries, afternoon tea times and bakeries on just about …
It’s easy to be hesitant about trying new foods in Japan. For one, very little English is spoken and there is rarely an English menu available. Furthermore, many Japanese dishes are unknown in the West. So, even when there are picture menus available, the foreign diner most likely has no clue as to what he …
Japan has always been synonymous with all things technological. From the nation’s numerous electronic companies to their futuristic skylines, there is no doubt that Japan is one of the leading countries of the world in technological advancement. Of course this is common knowledge, but one never fully comprehends this fact until he or she has …
With only a few days left before my new job in Korea started, I was made aware that I would not be able to obtain my E2 teaching visa at the Korean consulate in Vietnam. I was told that I would have to hop a plane to Fukuoka, Japan as soon as possible so I …
I have been in Ho Chi Minh City for over two months now. I’m currently finishing up my TESOL course and have recently landed a job back in Seoul. If all goes as planned, I’ll be back in Korea a week from today. In all honesty, I’m ready to move on. It hasn’t been an …
Having been away from Seoul for a few months now, I tend to find myself “homesick” for Korea these days. In addition to missing friends and loved ones, I often have kimchi cravings and strange desires to jam out to K-Pop. I yearn to hear the fluid sounds of the Korean language and go shopping …
Kuala Lumpur is a city of contrasts. Go there and find yourself in awe of architectural feats like the Petronas Towers. Walk some more and stumble upon stunning colonial buildings. Wander a bit further and end up in the middle of a rain forest. It’s a place that keeps visitors curious, wondering what will be …
At some point during a journey, it is inevitable that one is subjected to one of those “I’m not in Kansas anymore” moments that throws him or her into a realization that he or she has wandered far down that yellow brick road, no longer close to the normal or recognizable. I found myself having …