What happens when a blonde American with blue eyes and extremely pale skin moves to China? If my experience is any indication, she becomes an instant celebrity! To say that I stood out from the local population is a bit of an understatement. While China has a surprising amount of ethnic diversity, the society is […]
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Exploring the Cultural Quirks of Japan
Many countries have things they are widely recognized for, such as tulips in the Netherlands, the Eiffel Tower in France, and Carnival in Brazil. But there are also cultural intangibles that might not be as obvious but can be equally interesting. By way of greetings, Americans exchange hugs while Europeans prefer to kiss on the […]
36 Hours in Tokyo, Japan
Home to nearly 37 million people, Tokyo is the largest metropolitan area in the world. This megacity is packed with so many interesting attractions and fun things to do that you’d need several weeks to tick everything off the list. But for many travelers, especially those coming from far away, Tokyo is one stop of […]
New York City Revisited: A Fanciful Retreat
I visited New York City a few months ago and afterwards wrote about my perfect weekend. And it was perfect, filled with long aimless walks through the Village and meals shared with old friends, many of whom I hadn’t seen since before moving to Shanghai. I was able to reconnect with the city I used […]
Snapshot: Central Park in Winter
I adore New York’s Central Park. Like so many Manhattanites, I used to jog around its Reservoir after work, listen to opera and the New York Philharmonic Orchestra while picnicking on the Sheep Meadow with friends, and get my cute animal fix at the Central Park Zoo. On dates with my now-husband, we’d go for […]