Jakarta in the Time of Cholera
I’ve definitely encountered my share of sketchy food abroad. From clandestine dog meat in rural Guangxi to nationally famous duck blood soup in Nanjing, China can offer as many culinary…
Bali’s Sacred Day of Silence
Bali is predominately, and dominantly, Hindu. And while all other islands in the Indonesian archipelago are majority Muslim, Bali still vehemently maintains its religious practices that date back to the…
The Easiest Language in the World to Learn?
Many people take pride in learning languages like Chinese, Arabic or Russian. These are considered some of the most difficult languages for foreign speakers to learn, and students may attempt…
The Real Chinatown of New York City
The origin of Chinatowns in the United States is an interesting one. According to my professor of Chinese history, virtually all second or more generation Chinese people in the United…
Farewell to the Majestic Huangshan: China’s Ethereal Ink Painting
This is the second part in my series on hiking China’s Yellow Mountains. Start from the beginning here. This is the last time I’ll be talking about the Yellow Mountains.…
Colorful Characters along the Road to the Yellow Mountains
Inspiration comes when we least expect it. Conversations at a bar, on the street, or in a hostel lobby might one day fester in your mind and send you on…