Japan

Picture Postcards: Okinawa Island life

Thanks to Mike for sending this ‘Island life’ street art which is painted on the front of a karaoke bar in Okinawa, Japan.

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From our contributors: September 13th

Here’s our bi-weekly roundup of articles written by members of out team on their personal blogs. This week we take a virtual tour of the art in some Paris churches, take part in the Moon Festival in Japan, get pushed in Hong Kong and celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi in Mumbai. Happy reading!

Anu, our contributor from India, writes about the last day of Ganesh Chartuthi, a festival devoted to the Hindu god Ganesha. Although it was raining, devotees came out ion full force to celebrate their god.

“This year, the Lord arrived amidst pouring rains, and he decided to leave amidst pouring rains too! After a couple of dry days, the heavens seem to have opened up just for Him to leave! However, the enthusiasm has not abated…” (more…)

From our contributors: August 30

This roundup of posts published by our contributors on their personal blogs is now bi-weekly.  Happy reading!

Mike, our contributor from Japan, brings us an impressive photo essay about a cave called Shimuku Gama, located in Yomitan -Okinawa-, where a thousand villagers took refuge during the Battle of Okinawa in 1945. The monument to two local heroes is, indeed, a sobering sight.

“To appreciate what it must feel like being bombed into the Stone Age it’s probably best to show you this cave from the inside, looking out.  Welcome to a cave called Shimuku Gama in Yomitan Okinawa, Japan.”

Anu, our contributor from India, writes about different religious traditions and celebrations in India, especially those which are new to her. She comes across a new festival by chance while visiting a market. (more…)

From our contributors: August 16

This week we introduce some posts published by our contributors on their personal blogs. Happy reading!

Jenna, our contributor from Poland, writes about hand-made pottery in southwest Poland:

“The Manufaktura pottery factory in southwest Poland produces thousands upon thousands of pieces of pottery a month, each with a delicately-detailed paint job. I’d expected the factory interior to resemble something like an assembly line at a car factory: one machine molds, another spins, another washes, another smacks on paint.”

Mike, our contributor from Okinawa, posted a photo essay about a Sunday spent shooting photos in Okinawa:

“Around noon RyukyuRusty and RyukyuRu were here and we goofed off for awhile before heading out to try and pinpoint the exact location of this waterfall.  This shot was taken at 2:41PM from a bridge along an expressway where people drive like they own race cars.”

From Marta, our Spanish contributor: an announcement about the Festes de Gracia festival in Barcelona.

From our contributors: 9 August

Another week, another roundup of posts published by our contributors on their personal blogs.

From Anu, one of our contributors from India: Sky Watch Friday – Skies over Mumbai, a city skyline during Monsoon season.

Jason, our contributor from US West Coast, writes about Bolivia’s natural diversity in From Freezing Glaciers to Steaming Cloudforests: El Chorro Trek (more…)

From our contributors: 2 August

Here’s the weekly roundup of articles posted by our contributors on their personal blogs:

Carmen, our contributor from Romania, brings us a Bucharest artisan

Mike, our contributor from Japan, attended the Shinugu Matsuri (Festival) in Okinawa:

This weekend an event that happens only once every two years takes place in Ada, a coastal village in the northeast area of Okinawa, Japan.  It’s called the Shinugu Matsuri (Festival) but, there won’t be any of the trappings you’d see at most festivals.

Anu, our contributor from India, writes about a curious monument she came across in Gulab Bhag:

Following a butterfly, we moved away from the well trodden path, and suddenly, right in front of us was a marble edifice. Curious, we moved closer, and both of us were stunned!

Jenna, our contributor from Poland, takes us on a visit to a glass studio in southern Poland and muses about art:

The youngest son’s wife was able to speak about the various sources of her husband’s inspiration: traveling, diving, books, animals, National Geographic specials. But when I asked her about the philosophy behind the art, she was quiet.