Category: Uncategorized
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Buddhist temples
It was fun to visit a few Buddhist temples on Monday. I only took picks on the outside. Inside there were altars with offerings (mostly orchids and food). Here is the roof of a temple I only saw in passing last week. The angle was great bc I was on a hill and the temple…
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Bikes and Scooters
Like in India and Singapore, bikes, scooters and motorcycles are very popular in Taiwan. Makes sense from a fuel savings pov. I don’t see as many overcrowded with people here as I did in India. I have seen more helmets here and some of them are very individualized. I like making a fashion statement in…
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Anime/Animated characters
I really don’t understand the attraction to anime. I know it is super popular, but it doesn’t capture my fancy, even though I love being silly. So, I don’t get the Hello Kitty fascination, even by sophisticated adults like this woman on the subway. I also don’t get the use of all the anime in…
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LGBTQ+ in Asia
I am not remembering right now which countries have outlawed being the way God made you, if that way happens to be queer. But it sure hasn’t felt like a queer couple would feel super safe in any of the countries I have visited. I have observed lots of gender stereotyping with pink and blue.…
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A food surprise
My joke when I started my trip was that when I get back to NY I will binge on pizza because I will be jonesing for it after two months of no dairy. I had learned that for many people in Asia, lactose intolerance prevents consumption of dairy. Surprise! I have had pizza in India…
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Family
On Saturday I got to meet Ya-Huei’s father, maternal uncle and aunt, their kids, spouses and grandchildren. We had an amazing meal – many courses that were sent around the round table on a lazy Susan. I didn’t take pics of the food but there were two types of soup, fish, pork ribs, many vegetables,…
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Fun facts about Bangalore (per the walking tours)
1. Gin and tonic founded there by the British doctor who got the Nobel Prize in 1902 for research on malaria, Dr. Ronald Ross 2. The word “bungalow” was derived from “Bangalore” referring to detached houses 3. Queen Victoria promised to visit India (and other British colonies) but never did.
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Modern Art in Bangalore
Saskya and I visited a very small art gallery that both displayed and sold beautiful modern works of art. I took a bunch of pictures for your viewing pleasure. Note how many pictures include a cow. The main artist was raised on a farm and moved to a city so you will see themes about…
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Driving in India
I have mad respect for anyone who can drive in India. On the campus where Saskya and Andy live, there are mostly bikes, motorcycles, “autos” (motorized rickshaw-like vehicles, pictured above) and pedestrians. No honking is permitted. It seems pretty easy. Off-campus, though, is much harder for a driver. There are lots of the above-referenced vehicles,…
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What felt different in Doha?
One of the great reasons to travel: to learn things about countries beyond what one would even think to ask and beyond what a native would think to mention. (I notice this in literature, too. For example, when reading a book written in the 19th century versus reading a book written in the 20th/21st century…
MB Meets World 