All Lessons 108

Nagoya has More to Offer Than I Expected

Japan Series: The Big Cities

This past fall we signed up for a bus and ferry tour of Shodo Island and Shimanami Kaido, which you can read about here.  To start the tour we had to take the Shinkansen to Nagoya.  So, at the end of …

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First time in Osaka? Here are some places to check out.

Japan Series: The Big Cities

Back in the early 1990's we visited Osaka on our way to Kobe.  Frankly I remember very little about that trip.  Then in 2023 we had a chance to stop in at Osaka for a couple of days, and we made the m…

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Visiting Tokyo for the First Time? Here Are Some Popular Places to Visit

Japan Series: The Big Cities

Tokyo is an eclectic city of contrasts - ultra modern skyscrapers, residential bedroom towns, and ancient temples and shrines. In this guide I will give you some ideas for things to do while visiting …

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The Prince Asaka Residence and Gardens

Japan Series: Museums and Estates

The second residence I came across in Tokyo was built by Prince Yasuhiko Asaka, a member of the royal family with a troubled wartime past.  The design of the home was heavily influenced by his wife No…

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The Former Residence of Marquis Maeda

Japan Series: Museums and Estates

Recently I came upon two beautifully restored residences that were built by Marquis Maeda and Prince Asaka, two Japanese aristocrats in first half of the 20th century. This lesson is about the former …

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Major League Baseball, the World Series, and my beloved Phillies

Sporting Competition

Well, it is that time of year. Two teams, one from each league, will compete for the "world championship" of baseball.  Two small market teams somehow made it to the World Series, the Texas Rangers an…

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Pent Up Demand to Visit Rome Almost Overwhelming

Europe is Wonderful After All These Years

The last time I visited Rome I was taking a summer break from college, and had a full beard.  Almost fifty years later, it seems like it was just as I left it. Hope you like crowds!  It was like every…

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Shodo Island and Shimanami Kaido

Japan Series: The Countryside

We decided to continue our exploration of the parts of Japan that we had not yet visited with this unique trip to Shodo Island, the Setonaikai National Park, and the islands adjacent to the park. 

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Firenze for the First Time was Well Worth the Wait

Europe is Wonderful After All These Years

Florence, or if you are Italian, Firenze was a city that I had wanted to visit for a long time. I missed it on my very first trip to Italy in 1982, and it took quite a long time for me to finally make…

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The Stylish Heart of Austria, Vienna

Europe is Wonderful After All These Years

Our first stop in our Europe tour was Vienna, Austria. We chose Vienna primarily because of its musical history, particularly the music of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. I was happy to return to Vienna afte…

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Kyoto will Always be the Heart and Soul of Japan

Japan Series: Old Towns and Castles

Kyoto is the heart and soul of Japan. It's ancient temples and shrines are a testament to the history of Japan, and even its future. Kyoto is a modern city with many contemporary buildings, and even i…

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Super Bowl LVII - Eagles vs. Chiefs #1

Sporting Competition

The Kansas City Chiefs and the Philadelphia Eagles played in the 2023 Super Bowl on February 12th in Glendale Arizona.

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Shohei Ohtani Ties Babe Ruth's Record

Sporting Competition

Shohei Ohtani had a great night in Oakland on Tuesday, tying a record by Babe Ruth. Not only that, but he hit a home run!

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The Beautiful Port City of Victoria

The Wanderers

Canada is blessed with a number of beautiful provincial capitals, but none are prettier than Victoria, British Columbia.

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Dual Massacres Show Disturbing Parallels

News and Views

History can draw some strange parallels sometimes. Two horrid massacres, though completely disconnected, reflect the level of discrimination that existed in the early 20th century in Japan and the Uni…

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Japan to Allow Tourists Starting June 10

News and Views

Japan is slowly opening up to the world. There are new rules that enable tourists to visit, with limitations. Is this the start of a wider opening of the country to tourists?

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Guns In the United States

News and Views

Gun violence is continually rising in the United States. Do Americans favor new gun laws to stop it? It is an excellent subject to discuss in your English class, especially for those that study US cul…

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Northern Honshu in the Springtime

Japan Series: The Countryside

This trip would be our first time in Aomori, Iwate, and Akita prefectures. We were lucky to view the most beautiful cherry blossoms, an historic castle, and snowcapped mountains. 

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War in Ukraine

News and Views

It's the beginning days of another war of conquest by Russia.  What is it all about?  Why now?  Wasn't Russia satisfied with capturing Crimea?  Civilians are killed, and the world is shocked.  What wi…

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Japan, Finally

News and Views

Well, finally a breakthrough! The travel ban was lifted, and we were able to return to Japan again! Sure, testing required, and a tedius airport experience upon arrival at Narita.

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California Coast #3 - Monterey and Carmel

California Dreaming, The Bay Area and Beyond

My sister Elaine came to visit, and we took a drive down the coast to the Monterey peninsula. Wandering the Carmel streets, popping into art gallaries and shops was a pleasure despite the rainy weathe…

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Leaving Afghanistan

News and Views

A heavily criticized withdrawal by the USA and its allies from Afghanistan that even today is the subject of intense debate. Was the evacuation haphazard as the critics said? Or was it all just inevit…

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A Delightful Week in Waikiki

The Wanderers

It's always a pleasure to visit the beautiful island of Oahu. Swimming, snorkeling, and delicious dinners awaited us.

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The 2020 Olympics - Japan vs. USA Softball

Sporting Competition

The Japanese men's team won, so why not the women's team too?  Well, they did it!  To me this was an even bigger upset!

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