Travel updates and occasional commentary
After an early morning flight Tuesday, I reached Beijing midday. I only had about $20 in Japanese yen on me, but once I exchanged it for Chinese yuan, I learned prices here are quite cheap. A bottle of water -- at the airport!! -- costs 2 yuan, about 33 cents. My hour-long bus ride from the airport to our homestay cost 30 yuan, about $5.
Read MoreI haven't had much time to myself the past few days, but I wanted to share a little about my final day in Tokyo. For a little context on our schedule during the trip, most of our host church's parishioners work during the day, so they're free to meet mainly in the evenings and weekends.
Read MoreAfter several days of non-stop walking and lots of time outdoors, today brought a significant change in routine, but several great conversations.
Read MoreI first noticed the shift from Tokyo's work week to weekend last night when we were returning from the game night. After almost exclusively silent trains rides in which our group was one of the only parties talking, I noticed small knots of people conversing -- some on the train, others in stations. Though many still wore their work-week "uniform" (white shirts and dark suits for men, conservatively feminine skirts and dresses for women), you could sense a new air of relaxation.
Read MoreThis morning's event only required our pastor, so most of the rest of the team used the chance to sleep in and do some exploring.
Read MoreAfter a cheerful breakfast at Denny's, we set off for a large Buddhist temple popular with tourists. It was interesting to see all the commerce surrounding the temple and how multi-sensory the experience could be: incense, things to shake or bang, and the vivid colors of paintings and robes as you neared the central room, where they were concluding some sort of ceremony or service.
Read MoreSo far, one of my favorite things about Tokyo is the toilet music. I first noticed it at airport - a button with musical notes, labeled "privacy" - one of many ways you can customize your toilet experience. Today I saw one that played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and had a seat warmer (!!).
Read MoreMy first visit to Tokyo began with some unexpected excitement. A few hours into the flight, I started feeling cold despite my sweatshirt and a blanket, so decided to find the robe I packed. Unfortunately, in my groping, I hit the new blade on my razor just right and took a nick out of my right index fingertip.
Read MoreI took the night train to Berlin, sharing a compartment of 6 beds (3 on each wall) with men and women. I didn't sleep more than about three hours. The day did not improve on that start, between a chilly rain, pickpockets and a firsthand look at one of mankind's darkest eras.
Read MoreI spent yesterday in Eindhoven and Helmond, neighboring towns in the eastern part of the Netherlands, where I wanted to see an exhibit by Yinka Shonibare, MBE. Perhaps my favorite living artist, he works in multiple media and frequently uses these incredible Dutch wax fabrics.
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