Category Archives: Uncategorized

The sound of rain hitting the siding of the ship almost drowns out the footsteps on the metal plank. People begin to stow their luggage as attendants hand out immigration cards. Located about 40 miles to the east of Hong … Continue reading →

Suddenly there was blue.  A sky patched with a few ivory clouds gave way to verdant hills and cerulean waters.  In the distance, one could make out the faint outline of the skyline; down below, the world was lost in … Continue reading →

The glimmer of glass and steel competes against the buzz of neon signs.  Hushed streets, whispering of a bygone age of monks and swordsmen, intersect the city.  Asymmetrical beauty – a Korean vision for planning their once and future capital – … Continue reading →

Like a twisted scar, the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) between North and South Korea is a living relic of the war that divided the peninsula and on a larger scale, it epitomizes the Cold War.  The DMZ is the literal flashpoint … Continue reading →

What sends the frozen-ground-swell under it, and spills the upper boulders in the sun, and makes gaps even two can pass abreast?  Finally…the Great Wall of China. One of the wonders of the world, the Great Wall is one of the symbols … Continue reading →

A thousand dreams, a thousand prayers.  Enough incense to fill the jasmine sky.  From the relative chaos of ancient Beijing to the tranquility of the northeast mountains, the Summer Palace has served as a spiritual and now cultural relic of … Continue reading →

One of my favorite things about Beijing is exploring the ancient citadels of dynasties long past.  The Lama Temple has been on my t0-do list since arriving in the Chinese capital. Building on my streak of never taking a cab … Continue reading →

We travel nearly 9000 miles and yet Chicago still finds a way to insinuate its way into our daily lives.  This time, though, is different – we actually look forward to going to our university complex. Taking a few lessons … Continue reading →

The red pulse beats calmly and rhythmically from the core.  Like a stone dropping into still water, waves emanate from the center.  You can feel that idea in Beijing.  The Chinese capital wields incredibly influence over world politics – in realist terms, … Continue reading →

The Temple of Heaven (天坛) is one of Beijing’s most visited sites.  It is a giant complex on which many prayer halls form the area where the Qing and Ming emperors would make their annual walk from the Forbidden City … Continue reading →