Travel
Travel
Finding Soul, From Silicon Valley to Africa: A Travel Memoir
Title: Finding Soul, From Silicon Valley to Africa: A Travel Memoir and Personal Journey Through Twenty Countries in Africa Headline: Go on a journey to Africa, and learn about the sights, sounds, and smells of the continent. Not just the outer journey, but you’ll go on an inner one as well. Let the book change…
Read MoreRoad Trip Across the Southwest
I never pass up the chance for a good road trip. So after picking up my car in California in August, 2021, I figured it would be a good chance to do a little exploring. I took a road trip across the southwest of the USA. Opting for a southern route across the USA, I…
Read MoreFinding Soul, Non-Profit and Startup Accelerator in Africa Links
Finding Soul, Non-Profit and Startup Accelerator in Africa Links Here is a list of the links of the non-profits and startup accelerators in Africa in the book, Finding Soul: From Silicon Valley to Africa. Editors: Contact Pip here. pipstrickland23@gmail.com Catherine Ann Jones: www.wayofstory.com Africa Non-Profit Links: www.team4tech.org www.kakumaventures.com https://jetprogramusa.org/ leapschools.co.za https://www.soweto.co.za/html/i_overview.htm www.afridive.com www.meltwater.org www.kindleafrica.org www.britannica.com/place/history/benin https://www.statista.com/chart/19068/trans-atlantic-slave-trade-by-country-region/…
Read MoreEmplasticity: Layers of Empathy
Emplasticity: Three Layers of Empathy Empathy, we’ve all heard, “Put yourself in another’s shoes.” But do we ever really do this? I know I haven’t. For many years I was a tourist, just looking out the window as the car drives by impoverished places, taking pictures of the situation only to go back to the…
Read MoreSilicon Valley Can Re-Make the American Workplace
Silicon Valley Can Re-Make the American Workplace. By opening up micro offices, Silicon Valley can re-make the USA more culturally integrated and bridge the tech divide. WFH won’t work. The Silicon Valley can re-make the American workplace by bringing high-quality, high-tech jobs to the places that have historically lacked them, tap and develop new talent…
Read MoreJapanese Baseball Stadiums
Japanese Baseball The Japanese have a reputation for an intense interest in American culture. They adopt many American ideas and customs, and then do them better than we do them at home! Baseball, known as Yakyuu in Japan, is one of those things. Baseball came to Japan in the 1870s and was one of the…
Read MoreYakushima: A Magical and Mystical Island in Japan
Yakushima – My Favorite Place in Japan Kagoshima also serves as the gateway to Yakushima, a small and mystical island that’s covered in moss and home to Japan’s oldest tree – Jomon sugi (it was the inspiration behind Hayao Miyazaki’s anime film “Princess Mononoke”). I did a great day hike to the peak of Kuromidake,…
Read MoreLearn from Oprah Winfrey: Be the Highest and Truest Form of Yourself
Learn from Oprah Winfrey: Be the Highest and Truest Form of Yourself Learn from Oprah Winfrey and her formula for wellness Key Take-Aways to learn from Oprah Winfrey: Oprah’s wellness formula is mind + body + spirit. Mind = Emotions, learning and work Body = Nutrition and movement Spirit = purpose and relationships Focus on…
Read MoreAdvice for Traveling with a Date for the First Time
Advice for Travelling with a Date It’s difficult to travel with a date for the first time, here are some tips When you are accustomed to traveling alone, traveling with anyone else can be a bit of an adjustment, especially when trying to get what you want out of the trip. If you are traveling…
Read MoreAround Alberta County, Canada: Calgary, Jasper, Banff, Edmonton
Around Alberta County, Canada: Calgary, Jasper, Banff, Edmonton I enjoyed checking out Canada and the meeting locals Most Meaningful Experience: I loved the Royal Tyler Dinosaur Museum Recently I drove around Canada’s cow country. I was in Calgary, Drumheller, Torrington, Youngstown (For a meditation retreat), then drove from Jasper to Banff. Here were some of…
Read MoreVipassana: If You Meet the Buddha, Kill Him
Vipassana: If You Meet the Buddha, Kill Him This is an account of my first 10 day silent meditation retreat in Yangon, Myanmar Most Meaningful Experience: All of it. Unfortunately, I only had a few of my original notes – this is my best effort to account for a transformational experience. I have posted a…
Read MoreMy Experience in Kakuma Refugee Camp
My Experience in a Refugee Camp in Kakuma Kakuma is a small city of 200k people where displaced people want to create opportunities through entrepreneurship by building companies Most Meaningful Experience: Understanding that refugee camps are like cities within themselves, filled with people who want to create a better life through business opportunities. Situated in…
Read MoreWhat Is it Like to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro
What Is it Like to Climb Mt. Kilimanjaro The last leg was brutal and mountain sickness is real Most Meaningful Experience: Jeremy’s helping hand to make sure I didn’t fall down the mountain After a few days on my own in Nairobi, my buddy Jeremy flew into the Kenyan capital and we spent time exploring…
Read MoreWhat I Discovered in Alaska: Juneau and Seward
What I Discovered in Alaska Encountering the struggles with climate change Most Meaningful Experience: Hearing others speak about universal basic income If you have 1 minute to fill out 3 questions, please take my survey here! Part One: Juneau They say that the United States is such a big and diverse place that visiting…
Read MoreWhat I learned Visiting Albuquerque, New Mexico
New Mexico: Great Food, Diverse Culture, Outdoor Mecca Eating the Green Chili and Hiking Domingo Baca were my highlights I imagine you have to be tough to survive New Mexico’s heat, rugged landscapes, and rebellious culture. So on a recent visit to Albuquerque, I decided to find out what this southwestern state was all about.…
Read MoreTop 10 Travel Tip / Things To Do In Nairobi
Top 10 Favorite Travel Tips in Nairobi. There are many things to do in Nairobi, even a safari by the airport Nairobi is one of the most beautiful cities in Africa to visit. While for many tourists Nairobi acts as a transit point for visitors embarking on Kenyan and Tanzanian safaris there is so much to…
Read MoreTop 10 things to do in Singapore
Singapore: Top 10 Favorite Things to Do Singapore is a great place to eat at Hawker Stans and just hang out I frequently visit Singapore – it’s one of my favorite places in the world for food, shopping, entertainment, and consistently hot weather. It also serves as a gateway to South East Asia, making it…
Read MoreConfronting Evil and Cleansing the Soul in Bhutan
Confronting Evil and Cleansing the Soul in Bhutan Learn how the Bhutanese purify their soul through a variety of rituals Most Meaningful Experience: Visiting the Tiger’s Nest was awe-inspiring Top tips – Visit the Tiger’s Nest Monastery, which was spectacular both inside and out – Try to see an archery match to experience Bhutan’s national…
Read MoreThe Emerging Startup Scene in the “Lone Star State”
Learn About the Emerging Startup Scene in Texas. Texas has access to technical universities and large corporates making this fertile ground for startup success Most Meaningful Experience: Meeting new friends and contacts in Texas When I signed up for a startup bus tour of three Texan cities, I did so primarily to gain an insight…
Read MoreTrekking to Everest Base Camp Day 5 – Descent
Mount Everest: Trekking from Day 5 to Descent Reaching the Summit with Friends was our Pinnacle Check out the first 4 days here. https://kdalive.com/trekking-to-mount-everest-base-camp/ Day 5: Tengboche to Dingboche That night it dropped to around -15 degrees C and I had my sleeping bag zipped over my face, with only my mouth exposed to breathe.…
Read MoreBangladesh: An Unexplored Country of Cuisine, Commerce, and Cricket
Bangladesh: An Unexplored Country of Cuisine, Commerce, and Cricket Being hosted by E-generation was an amazing experience and taught us much about the local culture. Most Exciting Experience: Playing cricket with the team! Other meaningful experiences: – Celebrating the Day of Language – Experiencing the Muslim prayer time as a calming and meditative action…
Read MoreTrekking to Mount Everest Base Camp Days 1-4
Mt Everest Base Camp: Trekking from Day 1 to Day 4 Over time we could withstand the cold and conquer the mountain Most meaningful experience: Becoming one with our mountainous environment and the altitude is a powerful experience and I think why so many people strive to reach the summit. It is a feeling that…
Read MoreTop 10 Things I Learned Road Tripping Across the Northern Part of the USA
Top 10 Things I Learned RoadTripping Across the USA To Be An American is a Broad Definition Everyone should travel across the USA to experience our country, to have a better understanding of it. When it came time for me to make my move to San Francisco in the summer of 2018, my friend Clarence…
Read MoreDiscover the Multi-Pronged Wellness Approach of Wim Hof, the Iceman
Discover the Multi-Pronged Wellness Approach of Wim Hof, Iceman Breathe, Cold, and Fasting is the way to reduce stress and stay mindful Key takeaways from my Iceman retreat: Intermittent fasting helps with mental clarity, fat burning, and hormonal health. Deep breathing can help to oxygenate your body and warm it up, enhancing your performance…
Read MoreHow to Travel With Someone
Tips on How To Travel With Someone For the First Time Traveling with Someone can be difficult Here are my key takeaways when traveling with someone: Traveling with anyone – friend, partner, family member – for the first time is equal parts exciting and frightening. There’s a chance that the relationship will flourish…..or it could…
Read MoreThe Advantages of Traveling Alone
Traveling Solo Can Give Many Benefits I always meet people along the journey Here are my key takeaways traveling alone: People often ask me why I travel alone. But when I travel alone, I always meet people along the way. So is that really traveling alone? Even when I do meet people on the road,…
Read MoreBhutan and Gross National Happiness in Action
Bhutan and Gross National Happiness Learn about how the Bhutanese government measures progress through Gross National Happiness (GNH) The real reason I wanted to go to Bhutan was to investigate the “Land of Happiness” after reading about the government policies that try to maximize this for their people. I thought this was intriguing…
Read MoreThe Ultimate Japan Trip – My Top Recommendations for Getting Out of Tokyo and Kyoto
The Ultimate Japan Trip – My Top Recommendations For Getting Out of Tokyo and Kyoto Having lived in Japan, I share the best places to explore outside of the two most popular cities. So many people visit Japan and spend their entire trip hanging out in Tokyo and Kyoto. But escaping the crowds and intensity…
Read MoreWhat to do in the Kansai Region – aside from Kyoto
What To Do In The Kansai Region – Aside From Kyoto Enjoy thoughtful tips about spending a week in the Kansai Region; what to do and see. Kyoto is one of the most-visited cities in Japan and, in my opinion, somewhere you should visit during the low season to escape the hordes of tourists. If…
Read MoreHow to find Adventure in Japan?
How To Find Adventure In Japan? Get insider access to experiences in Japan with my friend Jordan. There are so many things to do in Japan and clubs to be part of. Before you go check out some of the top group trips like www.tokyogaijins.com and https://www.tokyosnowclub.com/. My good friend Jordan has a new business…
Read MoreFavorite Things to Do At Night in Tokyo
Favorite Things To Do At Night In Tokyo So you are heading to Japan and looking for some fun things to do at night. I’m not a big night owl but here ar some tips of my favorite places. 1.Weird theme restaurants DINING BAR SUBMARINE – sub-aquatic-themed izakaya (Dining Bar Submarine, Pocket Building B1, Kabukichuo…
Read MoreTop 10 Things to Do in Tokyo During the Day
Top 10 Things To Do In Tokyo During The Day These are my favorite various daytime suggestions for Tokyo. Many people ask me what to do when you are in Tokyo. They say, “go to…Sensoji, a Buddhist temple in Asakusa which is about as touristy as it gets in Tokyo. Tokyo skytree – another good…
Read MoreWorking on Political Campaign in the Thumb of Michigan
Working on Political Campaign in the Thumb of Michigan Everyone should help on a political campaign to get the experience. The most fun I’ve had in the last 10 years is helping my friend run his political campaign. Giving all that I’ve done, you wouldn’t think that, would’ya? You hear,’ Politics is evil. Politics is…
Read MoreThe Best Ice Cream in Japan
The Best Ice Cream In Japan Treat yourself to ice cream; here’s my top 3 recommended ice cream shops. While the world fights over who invented ice-cream – Victorians or Chinese, the Japanese have mastered the art, like they have most food. The first thing you notice in an ice cream saloon is flavors and…
Read MoreHow to Make Okonomiyaki
How To Make Okonomiyaki The famous Japanese pancake, this is Itoh-san’s Okonomiyaki recipe. My friend of over 15 years – Itoh-san – is an Okonomiyaki cooking master. I love his distinctive cooking style. In fact, he has raised the level of okonomiyaki to such heights that I could never settle for the okonomiyaki you find…
Read MoreKaiseki Tasting in Japan
Kaiseki Tasting In Japan Learn about Kaiseki in Japanese culture + four hot spots to try Kaiseki. Kaiseki or kaiseki-yori is a Japanese word that roughly translates to a dish that appeases hunger and warms the stomach. Broadly categorized into court, samurai, temple, and tea ceremony cuisines, Kaiseki has two main styles; the banquet for…
Read MoreOBento – Japanese Lunch Boxes
Obento – Japanese Lunch Boxes When I’m traveling in Japan, I like to taste-test the Bento lunch boxes. Bento lunch boxes are just as important to the Japanese and Asian culinary worlds as chopsticks are. Named after the Japanese word bento which roughly translates to “convenient,” these boxes were used as early as the 5th…
Read MoreTanTan (DanDan) Mien
TanTan (DanDan) Mien TantanMian is the Japanese adaptation of the Chinese DanDanMian, a dish of noodles seasoned by a spicy sauce made from sesame paste and hot chili oil. In old times, street hawkers used a carrying pole called Dandan and sold the noodles to passerbys; hence the name dandan. Unlike its Chinese counterpart that…
Read MoreFresh Uni in Tokyo
Fresh Uni In Tokyo I put my foodie skills to work so that I can share different types of Japanese Uni. Uni is the Japanese word for sea urchin, or more specifically, a sea urchin’s gonads and few naturally occurring ingredients offer the luxuriant texture and rich flavor Uni supplies. Dishes taste better with Uni,…
Read MoreOkinawan Cuisine
Okinawa Cuisine My experiences with Goya champuru, Rafute, soba noodles, Tofuyo, Mimiga in Okinawa Okinawa is Japan’s southernmost prefecture. Owing to its location, it has a complex history that has influenced its cuisine. The Okinawan cuisine is meat-based (specifically, pork) although it features a lot of herbs, tropical vegetables, fruits, and spices. Here are some…
Read MoreMy Top Izakayas in Tokyo
My Top Izakayas In Tokyo My 5 top places to experience an entertaining, generous and fulfilling Izakaya Izakaya is Japanese word for pubs but it literally means stay, drink, room. It describes an informal way of dining, snacking, pubbing and having fun. Surrounded by your colleagues, friends and even strangers, enjoy the izakaya experience with…
Read MoreRamen in Japan
Ramen In Japan Understanding the type of Ramen can be a little confusing, so here’s a little guide. Ramen is a legendary dish in Japan. Adapted from neighboring China, Japanese Ramen noodles have become a cultural icon of Japan and found a niche in the hearts of people. If there’s one thing in Tokyo that…
Read MoreOkonomiyaki – The Japanese Pancake
Okonomiyaki – The Japanese Pancake My input on finding okonomiyaki around Japan Okonomiyaki is one of the most famous Japanese dishes. Okonomiyaki is the name for ‘Japanese pancake’ or ‘Japanese pizza’ and is a mix of thinly shredded cabbage lightly sautéed in a batter. You can choose to top it with assorted vegetables, seafood, or…
Read MoreWould You Like to Shabu-Shabu?
Would You LIke To Shabu-Shabu? Shabu Shabu, or Japanese hot pot with a burst of flavors, is a popular family go-to meal that really satisfies. You can go for just pork or beef, or both. Shabu-Shabu conveys the sound of ‘swish-swish’ – just a few swishes in the pot and it’s ready to serve! The…
Read MoreTeppanyaki in Tokyo
Teppanyaki In Tokyo One of my favorite Tokyo restaurants and its Teppanyaki Teppanyaki Teppan means Hotplate or Iron griddle, while Yaki means grilled, broiled or pan-fried. So Teppanyaki is an assortment of food displayed on a hotplate/griddle and served right in front of you. My Top 3 Destinations in Tokyo #1 Ginza Steak Tokyo To celebrate…
Read MoreThe Best Yakitori in Tokyo
The Bset Yakitori In Tokyo Some of my preferred yakitori joints Yakitori (焼き鳥) is grilled skewered chicken mixed with a Teriyaki-like sauce. It is a quintessential Japanese soul food or grilled chicken skewers which is a culinary exploration of the entire bird from neck to tail. The yakitori dish is cheap and cheerful and is…
Read MoreLearn About, Make, and Eat Sushi in Tokyo
Learn About, Make, and Eat Sushi In Tokyo Interesting history about sushi + my favorite sushi restaurants in Tokyo Easily Japan’s most famous dish, sushi is one of the most amazing yet delicious food in the world, and although for most the thought of eating raw fish is cringe-worthy, sushi is sure to change that…
Read MoreUnagi / Anago in Tokyo
Unahi / Anago in Tokyo My experience of enjoying Unagi with good company and great conversation Unagi is an extremely expensive delicacy which is famous for not only its flavor but for its stamina-giving properties. Traditionally, it’s eaten in the hottest periods of summer on the day of the “Ox” to provide strength and vitality…
Read MoreTonkatsu and Gyukatsu – Fried Pork and Beef in Tokyo
Tonkatsu and Gyukatsu – Fried Pork and Beef in Tokyo All about tonkatsu, a Japanese pork filet, and gyukatsu, a beef dish Tonkatsu is a Japanese dish of pork filet which is breaded with panko breadcrumbs, deep fried then served with a dark, savory tonkatsu sauce with shredded green cabbage. Ton refers to pig/pork, and…
Read MoreEnlightenment in the Kathmandu Valley
Wellbeing insights from Kathmandu, Nepal: • Understanding Nepalese Culture: Meeting truly genuine and humble people who do their best and stay happy on the journey. • Entrepreneurship: Focusing on the environment and betterment for all. • Perspective: Hearing about the caste system and realizing how lucky we are in the USA to have an equal…
Read MoreRay Kroc Stole the Big Mac Sauce Recipe
Ray Kroc Stole the Big Mac Sauce Recipe The founder of Mcdonalds, Ray Kroc, knocked off the Big Mac Recipe at Jalama Beach. I went to Jalama Beach on a drive to Los Angeles. There I found the story of how Ray Kroc knocked off the Big Mac sauce Recipe. Click to rate this…
Read MoreGhana: Exploring Around Ghana, Cape Coast, and Volta Region
Exploring Beyond Accra Ghana has an ecotourism scene, highlands of Volta, fun tourist areas like Kakum, and the must see Cape Coast Most Meaningful Experience: What was deeply meaningful was connecting my roots in the Carolinas with slave trade castles of Cape Coast. Understanding where the African Americans in South Carolina came from helps me…
Read MoreGhana: Accra and Teaching at Meltwater
Exploring around Accra and Teaching Accra has a great scene of music, bars, and food Most Meaningful Experience: The entrepreneurs I worked with were driven by creating jobs, solving local problems, and making a better Africa. That left a lasting imprint on me. The first thing that struck me when crossing into Ghana at its…
Read MoreDiscovering Chengdu – City of the Panda
Discovering Chengdu, China – City of the Panda Chengdu has distinct food (not just spicy), culture, and scenery Most meaningful experience: Really enjoyed learning about the Chengdu culture of food, fun conversation, and history. Watch a traditional Sichuan “changing of the face” opera performance in Jinli Pedestrian Street Sample the local hot pots and deliciously…
Read MoreBorneo: One of the Best Dive Spots, left in the World
Bornea and Sipadan is One of the Best Dive Spots Diving in Sipadan is one of the last beautiful tropical places remaining Most meaningful experience: Diving in Sipadan, one of the best dive sites in the world. Exploring the island of Mabul where people lived basically and still enjoyed life. Diving the marine-filled waters of…
Read MoreWhat I learned at Burning Man + 2 Dope Videos
Top 10 things I learned at Burning Man (with 2 Dope Videos) One piece of advice I got before I left for Burning Man was: “You can get what you want out of it, so decide what you want before you go.” But I didn’t really know what I could get out of it until…
Read MoreJapan Food Blog: EatInTokyo
Japan Food Blog: Eat In Tokyo My blog for food and restaurants from when I lived in Japan http://www.eatintokyo.com While I lived in Japan from 2014-2016, I was able to eat at a lot of different restaurants. This was because my colleague, Yoda-san, and I had a business expense account for clients. So we blogged…
Read MoreTravel With No Plan
The best trips I’ve been on have been unplanned, unprovoked, and untethered. They’re the ones that were without stress, without expectations, and without disappointment. Trips that led down uncertain paths to new encounters, and often new friends. You might be considering where to go for your next vacation, lamenting that you only have a week…
Read MoreTravel Like a Chameleon
To be a great traveler, one must be a chameleon. A chameleon’s color changes not only to help camouflage the animal and in response to temperature changes, but it serves a greater purpose of social signaling and physiological condition. When most of us travel, we want to taste the local dishes, listen to traditional music…
Read MoreAustralia, Aside from the East Coast
I gathered this information from a friend who had explored some other areas. 7 places to visit in Australia aside from the East Coast So you’ve done the East Coast of Australia and want to venture further afield to explore some of the country’s spectacular natural wonders. From the temperate rainforests of Tassie to the…
Read MoreAustralia’s East Coast
Most Meaningful Australian Experience: In 2001, I visited an old friend, baseball teammate Jamie McDonald in Australia. We took a bus trip all the way from Brisbane to Whitsundays. We had a great time and adventure; till this day we share that bond. #2: I probably couldn’t have been a Navy Seal. 13 top things…
Read MoreKakuma Ventures: Building Companies in a Refugee Camp
Starting Kakuma Ventures to Empower Refugees Kakuma is a small city of 200k people where displaced people want to create opportunities through entrepreneurship by building companies Most Meaningful Experience: Discovering some of the challenges people had in the refugee camp and being able to lend a hand to people who really want to learn. To…
Read MorePoem: Never to Look in a Mirror
Never to Look in the Mirror What if there were no mirrors? I met some kids yesterday who never looked in a mirror and when i showed them one they were amazed. I realized something and wrote a poem: If you never looked in the mirror There would be nothing to fear Nor Feelings that…
Read MoreMy First Humanitarian Footsteps with Innovation Africa in Uganda
My First Humanitarian Footsteps with Innovation Africa. Building water wells and solar energy in the desert to help others Most Meaningful Experience: Adapting to the environment and learning about the region I was wracked with uncertainty going into my first humanitarian project in Uganda’s Karamoja region. I’d just read about the horrors of Idi Amin’s…
Read MoreSeeing the Face of Hard Work and determination of the Batwa People in Rural Uganda
Volunteering in the Rift Valley of Uganda See Lake Bunyonyi and Mount Muhabara Most Meaningful Experience: Working with Reaplifedig.org and learning about the Batwa Community Top tips: – Volunteer with ReapLifeDig.org in southwestern Uganda – Explore the spectacular landscapes of Lake Bunyonyi – Trek to the volcanic peak of Mount Muhabura Meeting Lauren in Rwanda…
Read MoreTop 10 Africa Travel Tips
My Top 10 Africa Travel Tips. Prepare before you go to be physically ready and have a peace of mind Africa is safe for travelers if you take precautions. If you’re traveling to Africa for the first time, there are probably a lot of unknowns and maybe even concerns that you have. From getting vaccinations…
Read MoreESHIP Summit: Growing Start-Up Ecosystems Beyond Silicon Valley
ESHIP Summit: Growing Start-Up Ecosystems Beyond Silicon Valley How to grow startup investment outside of Silicon Valley I spent two fulfilling days in Kansas City at the 2nd annual ESHIP Summit hosted by the Kauffman Foundation. They led a group of 650+ people to discuss building and accelerating entrepreneurship in their communities. It was an exciting…
Read MoreAn Intro to Yoga & Meditation the Isha Institute in Tennessee
Intro to Yoga & Meditation at the ISHA Institute Tucked away an hour from Nashville, Tennessee is one of the largest meditation retreats in the USA. Before we began our road trip from Nashville to San Francisco, Clarence and I were interested to experience an Inner Engineering session at the Isha Institute. We’d heard good…
Read MoreA Zimbabwean Student’s Journey to Silicon Valley
A Zimbabwean Student’s Journey to Silicon Valley An amazing story of how a young driven entrepreneur, Mthabais Ndlovu, made his way to Silicon Valley Sometime last year I (Mthabais) was watching videos from the SingularityU South Africa Summit 2018. One of the speakers said, “A mind once stretched by a new idea never returns to…
Read MoreThe Incredible Diversity of India
The Incredible Diversity of India India at the turn of the Millennium India has been one of my regular travel locations since I first visited in 2001. Then I was part of a GE program working in the emergency call center business in Bangalore, Delhi, Bombay (now Mumbai) and Hyderabad. I fell in love with…
Read MoreBrazil: Getting Acquainted with Rio & Heading South
Brazil: Getting Acquainted with Rio & Heading South My return trip to Rio + visiting Iguazu Falls and Porte Alegre Most Meaningful: Getting cleansed by the Iguazu waterfalls Travel Tip: Find balance between spending time with friends and travelling solo Understanding Rio After passing the first part of my trip with friends, I returned to Rio…
Read MoreBrazil: Arriving in Rio & Tiradentes
Brazil: Arriving in Rio & Tiradentes My initial arrival to Rio de Janeiro Most Meaningful: Experiencing my friend’s wedding and seeing old friends Travel Tips: Minimize your time alone at night in Rio de Janeiro In August 2016, I took my first trip to South America. Within hours of setting foot on the continent, I was kicking…
Read MoreMestizo Paraguay: Two Cities
Mesitzo Paraguay: Two Cities Asunción, the capital city of Paraguay, is actually multiple cities in one, with Old Town and New Town offering completely different experiences, and the suburbs beyond something completely different again. Most Meaningful: Discover the local experience by meeting locals and immersing yourself in the local, rather than tourist, culture. Travel Tips:…
Read MoreWhy Visit Paraguay? A Unique History
Why Visit Paraguay? A Unique History Obtaining the visa, all about the history, and Paraguay today. Most Meaningful: Paraguay’s unique history makes visiting a very different social and cultural experience to visiting the rest of South America. Travel Tips: Know your visa requirements in advance. Talking to fellow travellers ‘doing’ South America, they all said…
Read MoreChile – Beauty, Art, and Good Times
Chile Santiago and Valparaiso should be on every traveler’s list. The last country I visited on my South American tour was Chile, but unfortunately, I had to cut my time there pretty short, as a stomach problem that was bothering me since I arrived in Brazil just took me out. But I managed to pass…
Read MoreUruguay – A Relaxing Country with Great Asado
Uruguay – A Relaxing Country with Great Asado Various places, experiences and top tips for traveling Uruguay Top Travel Tips Stay at the El Galope Farm and Hostel for a more quiet time outside the city center of Colonia. Walk along the Rambla Pocitos, a promenade that stretches along Montevideo’s city centre beach. I recommend…
Read MoreDiscovering more Questions than Answers in the Congo
Discovering the Mysteries of the Congo The Congo is a mysterious place deep in history and filled with color Most Meaningful Experience: Travel to see the live Volcano Travel Tips: – Trek to see the mountain gorillas of the Virunga National Park – Hike to the volcanic peak of Mount Nyiragongo – Cruise the Congo…
Read MoreA Soul-Liberating Experience in Malawi
A Soul-Liberating Experience in Malawi Malawi is called the Warm Heart of Africa due to the Compassionate People Top tips: – Scuba dive, hike and kick back on the shores of Lake Malawi. – Tackle the challenging trek to the summit of Mount Mulanje. – Splurge on Korean food in the capital, Lilongwe Arriving in…
Read MoreArgentina: Buenos Aires and Patagonia
Argentina: Buenos Aires and Patagonia Like Brazil, Argentina was a place where I wish I had more time. Top Travel Tips There are many museums in Buenos Aires. Highly recommend the Museo de Bellas Artes La Boca For souvenirs and gifts, check out the big art market in Buenos Aires, Defensa You can travel to…
Read MoreLearning to live again in Rwanda
Learning to Live Again in Rwanda Learning how people moved on after the genocide is mind-blowing Most Meaningful Experience: Meeting Norbert and having him show the ropes in Rwanda Top Tips: – Pay your respects at the somber Ntarama Genocide Memorial – Get a three-country East Africa Tourist Visa so you can easily visit Uganda…
Read MoreDelving Deeper Into Capetown
Delving Deeper Into Capetown Take a Walk Through the Streets of Capetown Most Meaningful Experience: Understanding that water crises are just starting to emerge around the world and income inequality is a major cause of unrest. Travel tips: There is a lot more to do in Capetown than I described. Go to Robben Island and…
Read More10 Things I Realized On Re-Entry Back Home From Traveling Africa
10 Things I Realized On Re-Entry Back from Africa. Travel changes you and Africa Makes You do a 180 Most Meaningful Experience: Understanding How Little One Really Needs In Life Travel always changes you. You never return home the same person you were when you left. This was particularly striking for me when I returned…
Read MoreOverland from Livingstone to Cape Town
Traveling Overland from Livingstone to Capetown for 30 days with a Dozen Strangers Traveling in Africa solo is difficult so Overland Bus is convenient Most Meaningful Experience: Learning patience and tolerance with my crew! Most meaningful experience: – Take a scenic flight over the Okavango Delta to wildlife spot from the air – Learn about…
Read MoreUgandan Encounters: Exploring outside of Kampala
Exploring Outside of Kampala, Uganda Make sure to go to Jinja to raft the Nile Most meaningful experience: – Read “A State of Blood” by Henry Kyemba to understand the misery and massacres of Uganda under Idi Amin. – Go white-water rafting at the source of the Nile in Jinja – Eat “rolex” – a…
Read MoreRun With and Like The Kenyans
Running With the Kenyans Learn How to run, train, and eat like the marathoners Most Meaningful Experience: Understanding the regiment of the best runners Most Meaningful: Visiting the home of a Kenyan runner at 6 am before a run to see that he slept on a wooden mattress and had only had two pairs of…
Read MoreDiscovering Mugabe’s legacy in Zimbabwe
Discover Mugabe’s Legacy in Zimbabwe Working with very inspiring and innovative entrepreneurs Most Meaningful Experience: Traveling across Zimbabwe with friends and then, by bus and learning about what happened during the Mugabe Regime. Top tips: – Go trekking through the mystical Nyanga National Park (just not after dark!) – Explore the western-styled city of Bulawayo…
Read MoreA Journey of Discovery on South Africa’s East Coast, the Wild Coast
Travel the wild coast of South Africa for a journey of animals, unique safaris, and a different view. The best areas are just west of Durban on the Wild Coast Most Meaningful Experience: Learning how to Nitrox dive, fast currents, and seeing hammerhead sharks! Travel Tips: Explore the surf and dive spots along Durban’s coastline…
Read More10 things I learned by observing Ramadan as a non-Muslim
The 10 Things I Learned by Observing Ramadan As a non-Muslim, I learned a lot by obsevering Ramadan. Anyone else can too. Every year in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, Muslims around the world celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. While it’s commonly known as a month of fasting, with devotees abstaining from…
Read MoreForeign Investment and Entrepreneurs in Zambia’s Startup Ecosystem
Foreign Investment and Entrepreneurs in Zambia’s Startup Ecosystem. Zambia’s open-investment policy is causing a boom in economic activity Most Meaningful Experience: Making friends at Bongohive.co.zm and working with Entrepreneurs Flying into Zambia, I was still hustling to get my presentation together. This would be the first time I’d be teaching again since my stint in…
Read MoreOverland Trip: Zambia to South Africa Trip Dossier
Overland Trip Dossier: Zambia to South Africa This is our overland trip itinerary.Victoria Falls to Cape Town 21st February – 20th March 2017 NOMAD CONVOY is a tailored networking adventure safari for entrepreneurs & digital nomads, put together for you by NomadXplore, and operated in cooperation with Nomad Adventure Tours (www.nomadtours.co.za) and Greenpop (www.greenpop.org) Partaking…
Read MoreSolo Adventure Hiking Mount Kenya
Solo Adventure Hiking Mount Kenya I’m Vineet – I met Kurt in Ghana and we’ve been trekking buddies since. He didn’t join me on this trip but I I am writing a guest post for him! I love solo travel. I think it’s the best form of travel. To go out there by yourself…
Read MoreVolunteering in Kenya
Kenya Offers Many Volunteering Opportunities. The West Side of the Country is beautiful, relaxed, and his more laid back. Most Meaningful Experience: Visiting all of these non-profits was meaningful. Kenya West Side/Volunteer Having finished my Nairobi adventure, it was now time to meet Toto and move on to my second agenda – volunteering. During my…
Read MoreNairobi: The epicenter for East African Growth and Investment.
Nairobi is the Epicenter for East African Growth and Investment Nairobi is an exciting city with a juxtaposition of growth and abject poverty but it is getting better quickly. Most Meaningful Experience: Making friends, working at iHub, and visiting Kibera On arrival in Nairobi, I let out a sigh, as the airport was much more…
Read MoreA Glimpse into the History of Johannesburg and Legacy of Mandela
A Glimpse Into the History of Johannesburg and Legacy of Nelson Mandela and Gandhi Learning about the history of South African Apartheid and somewhat experiencing it. Travel Tips: Roaming around Johannesburg while gaining an insight into its racist issues and divide. Being approached for “selfies” with my Kaiser Chiefs jersey and confronting racism as…
Read MoreTogo – Border to Border Beach Country
Togo is a Beach Country, Laid Back, and Pleasant The beach starts and ends at the borders as well as goes inland Most Meaningful Experience: Hanging out, relaxing, and just catching up on energy. Travel Tips: Soak up the nighttime atmosphere around the beach, which greets you as soon as you arrive in Togo. Try…
Read MoreMozambique: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean
Mozambique: The Pearl of the Indian Ocean Traveling up the coast to Xia-Xia and Tofo Scuba Diving and of course the Fish Market in Maputo. Most Meaningful Experience: Dinner at the fish market with new friends Mozambique Travel Tips: • Explore the Fish Market and the seafood restaurants that cluster on Avenida Marginal in Maputo •…
Read MoreVolunTourism: In Africa
Voluntourism in Africa It was the great anti-apartheid leader Nelson Mandela that said: “There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time & energy to help others without expecting anything in return.” When I was planning my trip to Africa, I kept thinking “what can I do?” I couldn’t just spend months…
Read MoreSouth Africa Scuba Diving: Big Game Diving, Pelagics, and Ocean Safaris
Dive with The Pelagics – sharks, whales, dolphins – in South Africa. The best areas are just west of Durban on the Wild Coast Most Meaningful Experience: Getting out of my comfort zone and diving in fast currents Tackling the strong currents on deep dives at Protea Banks (only for experienced divers) while getting up…
Read MoreSwaziland: Rich Culture and Friendly, Talkative People
Swaziland: A Country of Rich Culture and Friendly People Meeting locals and learning about the real Swaziland. Most Meaningful Experience Experiencing the “other side” of Swaziland with the Ezulwini Valley locals Top Tips: • Make some local friends – the Swazis are super friendly people and warm to visitors; they don’t like small talk –…
Read MoreThe Future of Virtual Reality as seen by Students in South Africa
The Future that is Virtual Reality Using Google Cardboard, South African kids discovered to the possibilities the world has to offer. I hope this translates into more opportunity for others. After a few days working with my team at Team4tech in South Africa, Clarence convinced of the future of VR. The applications for education and…
Read MoreBenin – Togo’s Big Brother with a Bad Attitude
Benin: Togo’s Big Brother with a Bad Attitude Benin has rich cultural history around slave trade and voodoo Most Meaningful Experience: Visiting the slave route at Abomey and Ouidah • Hang out with the locals at the Cotonou Stadium, which is the place to be for good food, buses and taxis …
Read MoreNigeria: Hustling from Yaba to Makoko
Nigeria: A Country of Hustle, Rich Culture, and Genuine People Exploring all of Lagos from Makoko to Victoria Islands Most Meaningful Experience: Going through the slums of Makoko with Funmi who is trying to enrich the poorest lives in the world. Travel Tips • Lagos is infused with energy. Wake before sunrise…
Read MoreLesotho: Blood Diamond Profits for Cheap Labor
Lesotho is home to many ‘blood’ diamond mines These mines from Letseng and De Beers extract resources and the lives of the locals for immense profits. This is a short post for the diamond lovers out there. Here is a factory owned by Gem Diamonds and supplies much of the diamonds to major distributors like…
Read MoreLesotho – The Adventure and Magical Kingdom in the Sky
Lesotho – The Adventure and Magical Kingdom in the Sky. Lesotho is a country that sits on a plateau completely surrounded by South Africa. It has a growing adventure scene. Most Meaningful Experience: Making a local friend and exploring a new country. Meeting the friendly Basotho people and discovering their tight-knit community culture Top Tips: –…
Read MoreVolunteering in a Township Outside Johannesburg, South Africa
This is what I learned volunteering in a township outside of Johannesburg, South Africa. As part of Team4Tech, we taught technology and entrepreneurship in the township of Ga-Rankuwa in Pretoria. Most Meaningful Experience: How to inspire those in poverty who think money will solve all of life’s problems. This is a good example of voluntourism…
Read MoreJoshua Tree
Just a 2 hour drive from LAX, Joshua Tree is a place everyone should visit. The drive on the way is through the windmill laced desert and mountains of southern California. One can stop off the highway and visit different reservoirs or natural parks. We stopped in Yucca Valley which had little, but to note,…
Read MoreAlcatraz Swim for Sight 2016
Today we participated in the 5th annual Alcatraz Swim for Sight, started by Ron and Lorie Hirson. Lorie suffers from a very rare eye disease that is causing her to go blind. This event is led by them and sponsored for thatmanmaysee.org. The day starts at 530AM where we register for the swim, get ready,…
Read MoreItalian: A comparison of my favorite places
Italian: A Comparison of My Favorite Places Don’t miss the Italian restaurants in Japan! I always tell people that the best Italian food is in Japan. In fact, I have Italian people who often tell me the same. Of course, this may not be true but I have yet to have an Italian meal that…
Read MoreTop Places to Eat in Ishigaki City, Okinawa
Top Places To Eat In Ishigaki City, Okinway Ishigaki has some great places to eat. The village is a fun and festive atmosphere welcoming to foreigners. Enjoy your time there. Ishigaki Village: This is a fun area in the middle of Ishgaki. The yakitori skewers tell the story. Tuna Speciality: Today Lets eat in Tokyo…
Read MoreFried Cheese Banana
In Indonesia and Malaysia, a popular dessert is fried banana with melted cheese. It sounds terrible for western palettes but it’s not bad actually! Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Read MoreTraveling Indonesia for 30 Days of Adventure
Traveling Indonesia for 30 Days I took a trip around Indonesia for 30 days and here is what I discovered Most meaningful experience: Making the challenging, three-day trek to the summit of Mount Rinjani on Lombok Island. Top Tips: Go freediving with the team at Fusion Freediving in Amed or venture to Labuanbajo to dive…
Read MoreWhat to do in the Ishigaki Islands?
What To Do In The Ishigaki Islands? One of my favorite trips in all of Japan was to the Ishigaki Islands. It’s one of the highlights of Japan. If you go to Japan, I highly recommend the flight here. Fly into Ishigaki and enjoy the small city, great food, and local atmosphere. There is a…
Read MoreSingapore’s Government Funded Innovation
How Singapore Built an Innovative Economy The Government fueled the transition from manufacturing to skills-based economy Singapore has developed an economy based on real technical innovation. From mid-90s, the government invested heavily in research centers to develop the skills and knowledge of its local people. It is the easy-to-do business hub for the emerging South…
Read MoreSouthern BBQ at Hato’s Bar
Southern BBQ at Hato’s Bar This may be the best southern BBQ you can get anywhere. Slow cooked BBQ meets Japanese fine dining. South Carolina pulled pork, Texas Briscuit, Kansas ribs, Mac n cheese, OMG. We celebrated Chris’s graduation ftom Duke MBA. Pictures tell the rest. http://hatosbar.org/top/ Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average:…
Read MoreWhat is Kakigori? Shaved Ice
What Is Kakigori? Kakigori is one of my favorite desserts. This place had a long line of college students. It is located in Meijiro Station. It gets a #2 rating for Kakigori. http://tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1305/A130502/13003855/ Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Read MoreTop 10 Things Japan Does Best
Top 10 Things Japan Does Best As I leave Japan after almost 3 years, this is my top 10 list. Many know that Japan excels in a variety of products and technology such as trains, cars, cuisine (www.eatintokyo.com – my food blog) , and whiskey. But there are more. After living here three years – and departing…
Read MoreTurkey Mobile Payments: From Gold Coins to Carrier Billing
To facilitate trade between the east and the west in the 4th Century, Constantine the Great established the gold solidus as the standard of currency. This coin retained its status for about 1,000 years. In its most flourishing periods, the Byzantine state may have produced as many as several hundred thousand gold coins and a…
Read MoreCreate a Startup State: What American Politicians can learn from Lithuania, Estonia, and Finland
Short Summary: • Estonia, Lithuania, and Finland have created active startup communities and produced successful startups like Rovio, MySQL Supercell, and Skype. • American States — the same size as these countries — have been much less successful in creating startup companies and communities. • American state economic development officials can learn from these countries. A template exists to…
Read MoreCrepes: Breizh Cafe Creperie from Paris
Crepes: Breizh Cafe Creperie from Paris This is a famous crepes chain found only in Paris and Tokyo. After Maisen you can walk there in Omotesando. http://www.le-bretagne.com About: The first Creperie in Japan Galette Bertrand Larcher who, like traditional crepes, was born in Bretagne, has introduced the Galette to Japan at Japan’s first Creperie, Cafe-Creperie…
Read MoreMoscow and St. Petersburg, Russia with Maximilian in September, 2014
Most meaningful experience: Learning about the deep history and culture of Russia. Top tips: – Mingle with Moscow’s elite at Café Pushkin. – Get an education into Russian art at the Tretyakov Gallery and explore the art galleries of the Hermitage Museum. – Make a day trip from St. Petersburg to the lavish Peterhof Palace,…
Read MoreWhat is a Zen Lunch? Refreshing Fish @ Suzunami 鈴波 in Roppongi Hills
What is a Zen Lunch? Refreshing Fish @ Suzunami in Roppongi Hills Yesterday I ate at Suzunami – a zen lunch place. My friend said that this was a place to get good fish, nutrition, and feel better afterwards. Suzunami specializes in cooking one type of fish extremely well. They also have a variety of…
Read MoreWhat is Tsukemen?つけ麺はなんでしょうか
What Is Tsukemen? Most people who have not lived in Japan do not know what Tsukemen is. Tsukemen is a Japanese noodle dish consisting of ramen which is eaten after dipping in a separate bowl of soup. The soup is thick and should be appreciated. If ramen is the perfect choice during cold seasons, tsukemen…
Read MoreThe Only Chicken Ramen – Torisoba ラーメンBAR 鶏そば
The Only Chicken Ramen – Torisoba Finding chicken soup in Tokyo is not easy but just next to my apartment is a fantastic chicken based noodle soup / ramen store. The owner spent time in LA and even speaks some English. My favorite dish is the house special soba with chicken, half cooked egg, and…
Read MoreAmerican Bistro ‘Towers’ – Higashi Azabu
American Bistro ‘Towers’ In Higashi Azabu Towers restaurant is across the street from my apartment. They do an American bistro with a variety of chili, chicken, vegetables like Okra and beets, and an amazing Aussie filet. They also have a great lunch salad and chicken over rice (not chinese style). They are also very friendly…
Read MoreMalaysia: Penang, Malacca, and Georgetown
Most meaningful experience: Learning about the diverse history of Malacca and Georgetown. Cooking Class in Penang! Eating, eating and eating – the hawker stalls in Malacca and Georgetown are sensational! Top tips: – Get lost in the bustling streets of Malacca’s Chinatown and admire the diverse architecture along Harmony Street. – Learn about Penang’s unique…
Read MoreSweet Potato Truck
Sweet Potato Truck They drive around time in the winter selling sweet potatoes. Catch them if you can! Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Read MoreEating = Happy in Tokyo
Eating = Happy In Tokyo Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Read MoreLunch Time: 京王駅弁大会ーLunch Box Competition
Lunch Time Lunch Box Competition 先週末京王百貨店で第５１回お弁当大会がおこなわれています。全国から上手いお弁当作れる人がそこに来て、美味しいものを競争していました。去年の一位は北陸新幹線駅から高級魚のどぐろと、かに、といくらです。今年の一番は北海道から大玉ほたてたっぷりうにです。あまりに美味しくて手に負けなくて５代もお弁当を食べました。ローストビーフすしや、ステーキとご飯やかにめしも食べました。大好物はスモークさばでご飯と魚が詰め込んであります、つまり押し寿司である。最後はデザートです。二層で分けたクリームパステルを食べて、一つは牛乳クリーム、もう一つは卵クリーム。その混ぜたものが超美味しかったです。ぜひぜひ時間があれば行ってください。 Last weekend, my friends an I went to the Train Station Lunchbox Competition. Obento shops from all around Japan came to join the competition. My favorite was the smoked salmon and the uni, scallop, ikura bowl. If you get the chance, please go. 味しかったです。ぜひぜひ時間があれば行ってください。 Click to rate this…
Read More#1 Curry and Japanese Curry History: もうやんカレーと日本カレーの歴史
#1 Curry and Japanese Curry History もうやんカレーと日本カレーの歴史 僕が東京の中で一番好きなカレーはもうやんカレーです。四種類の味から選べるカレーの食べ放題です。１。豚 ２。辛い豚 ３。牛肉 ４。激辛のトッピング。食べ放題には野菜、鶏肉、サラダがあります。カレーが好きなら、ぜひ行ってみてください。 明治時代にイギリス人からカレーが紹介されました。そのあいだに英国はインドを占領している。当時はイギリス人シェフがイギリスの鍋物と香辛料とインドのカレーを混ぜて洋風のカレーを発明しました。日本海軍が英国海軍よりカレーを採用しました。時間の経過とともに徐々に流行っていき。６０年代に本当に人気になりました。いまではカレーは伝統的な和食と言われています。 http://s.tabelog.com/en/tokyo/A1303/A130301/13090209/ Mouyan Curry is our favorite curry in Tokyo so far. It is a very simple, all you can eat buffet with four types of curry: 1. Pork 2. Spicy Pork 3. Beef 4. Spicy . You can also pick different types of vegetables and salad.…
Read MoreMyanmar’s Magic
Most meaningful experience: Taking a long train ride – just once – gave me a chance to see the countryside of Myanmar and appreciate the bullet trains of Asia. Watching people live on Inle Lake was magestic. Developing a new relationship with Wayne and Amber was special. Top tips: • Explore the…
Read MoreRe-Visiting Vietnam: 15 Years Later
Visiting Vietnam 15 Years Later Vietnam is an exciting country in terms of economic development and food Most meaningful experience: I visited Vietnam again in November, 2015 – more than 10 years after my last trip. Seeing the economic growth and the potential for more excited me. Spending time with new and old friends. Sleeping…
Read MoreMy Day At Wimbledon 2010
I started my day off at 5AM to get the tube to Wimbledon but the tube didn’t open till 6AM. So I killed an hour with work. After alighting at the tube stop, I caught a bus as instructed. The bus’s 2nd stop was Wimbledon Stadium. I was watching everyone on the bus but no…
Read MoreReligion, Business, and History in Egypt
The Religion, History, and Business of Egypt Being in Egypt at the time of Ramadan taught me to respect a lot of the Mulsim religion. I spent 5 days in Egypt, on an impromptu vacation, during Ramadan. I even attempted to participate in Ramadan. I also explored the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, the…
Read MoreDobré Ráno Prague – October 5-7, 2014
The way Dobré Ráno rolls off your tongue sounds very Spanish. Prague had a bit of romanticism that I did not expect from the Bohemian City. Interspersed in the old architecture were gardens, fountains, and nice restaurants. On my flight to Moscow, the Russian sitting next to me described Prague as an entire city that…
Read MoreTrip to Buda-pessht – October 3rd, 2014
Buda-Pessht (BP) or Pessht – Buda One side of the Danube is Buda and the other is Pessht. The Pesst side call itself Pessht-Buda and the Buda side calls itself, Buda-Pessht. Buda has the history and magnificence while Pessht has the future and the day to day. That difference conveys how I felt about my…
Read More24 Hrs in Bratislava – October 4-5, 2014
Most meaningful experience: Meeting some young startup guys at a bar talking about mobile startups. Top tips: Wander through the historic old town and soak up the views from the Bratislava Castle Check out the “Man at work” bronze statue of a sewer worker emerging from the pavement Sample the local craft beers, including the…
Read MoreSiargao Island, Undiscovered Philippines During New Years
Undiscovered Siargao Island – Surf, Singing, and Scary Typhoon 2014 Siargao (Shar Gaw) Island is a beautiful destination for tourists who like to go out of the way, explore remote places, and enjoy surfing / kitesurfing South East Asia is an incredibly popular tourist destination, and I often hear from people about their beach party…
Read MoreDenmark: Daintiness, Designs, and Delectables
Denmark is a city for people with tastes of delectable design and dainty appetites. In only two days, i had a wonderful experience traversing through the city, peeping in small shops, and experiencing the cities first snowfall – which was strange since it was the last week of January. Again, just another example of the…
Read MoreIsrael: From Jaffa to Jerusalem
Traveling Through Israel:Jaffa to Jerusalem Visiting Israel is an exciting religious, cultural, and overall powerful experience Most Meaningful Experience: Meeting new friends and getting to know the Israel scene Most meaningful experience: The tour of Jerusalem showed me that people are very passionate about their beliefs but its possible to exist together. The city is…
Read MoreHow to Make Homemade Okonomiyaki
How To Make Homemade Okonomiyaki A Japanese Recipe from my friend, Itoh-san Itoh-san is my friend of over 15 years when we met in Osaka. He has always been the Okonimyaki cooking master and last week we had Okonomiyaki cooking day. It was better than its ever been. Ingredients: Eggs Okonomiyaki powder mix (flour and…
Read MoreReunion at Davidson +15
Paul’s blog post inspired me to write a quick note about my thoughts of our reunion weekend and reflections of Davidson College. I do agree with Paul that I wish we were able to find a way to keep in touch more regularly with Davidson friends and acquaintances. Even with increasing communication mediums like Skype,…
Read MoreSeasonal Change of the Fish – Sashimi
Seasonal Change of the Fish – Sashimi One thing you may notice when living in Japan is the seasonal chang of types of sushi or sashimi. This is best exemplified by the Edo Period “Hatsumono” Fish Calendar to demonstrate how food changes every season in Japan. Before you go, make sure to check out which…
Read MoreHow to Make Mochi
How To Make Mochi Step By Step How to make Mochi: 餅の作り方 Last week, I learned how to make Mochi. Across Japan at festivals, there is often a mochi-making session. Try to search this down and participate. Step 1: Get mochi rice and add a bit of water Step 2: Beat it with a big mallet…
Read MoreAsian Mobile Game Developers Coming to the West in 2015
Over the past two years, the western Android and iOS app stores have been dominated by three major developers: King, Supercell, and Kabam. The next 10 best-selling game developers — a list that includes household names such as EA, Gameloft, Disney — then take the bulk of the remaining global mobile gaming revenues. Chinese and Japanese game makers know…
Read MoreYakiniku + Steak +Aussie Beef
Yakiniku + Steak + Aussie Beef Yakiniku – an incredibly delicious assortment of meat served with a pot of soup, rice or on its own. I was fortunate enough to discover this place and have it tasted. To know more about Yakiniku keep reading. Before that, if you already know about Yakiniku mentioned below is…
Read MorePlaces To Eat In Sapporo
Places To Eat In Sapporo Recommendations for when you visit Sapporo, Japan Sapporo is the 7th largest city in Japan. It is a city blessed with so much natural beauty regardless of seasonal changes. In the summer, the city flourishes with amazing flowers and in the winter, the city is covered with snow, making it…
Read MoreOyster + Fish Izakaya
Oyster + Fish Izakaya An introduction to Izakaya As I previously mentioned in my post, Izakaya is mostly mistaken for a Western style pub or a restaurant. Izakaya is an experience where you are served more than 7 course style snacks with drinks to accompany each of them. Since there inception it has been a…
Read MoreOther Fun Night Out in Tokyo
Other Fun Night Out In Tokyo Some more fantastic restaurants in Tokyo OMOTESANDO WINE CELLAR GRILL The team of Wine Cellar Grill is incredible. The entire menu is made to be paired with different wines. As expected, they had a great wine selection even from California. Its great date spot or group night out spot.…
Read MoreIibadashi Italian and Pizza in Japan
Iibadashi Italian and Pizza The Japanese way of Pizza + Restaurants Pizza is one of the most popular and loved dishes around the globe and as such, new recipes are being developed frequently to make it more delicious and appetizing. The Japanese have infused a few their local ingredients in pizzas to increase its edibility…
Read MoreCoffee Culture In Japan
Coffee Culture In Japan Learn about coffee in Japan and visit these coffee shops Coffee culture, just like any popular culture, has evolved over the years to become an inevitable part of the lives of coffee lovers. There are so many unique coffee cultures out there that are presented from different countries around the world.…
Read MoreTop 4 Brunch Restaurants in Tokyo
Top 4 Brunch Restaurants In Tokyo Do not bypass brunch in Tokyo. Here’s some great places. While visiting Japan, you do not actually think there might be some similarity to your own city or you can get what you like. I was taken aback multiple times when I discovered Japan closely. Brunch, I wasn’t sure…
Read MorePart I: Six Reasons Startups Should Invest in Japan
Six Reasons Startups Should Invest in Japan Japan is an ideal place to open up offices and invest for the long-term. After Japan’s economic crash of the late 90’s, a fog settled over the land of the rising sun. Nearly two decades of deflation, a perceived lack of Japanese innovation, and a rapidly aging workforce…
Read MoreSaudi Arabia — A Secret Mecca for Consumer Technology Companies
Saudi is a place startups should be investing — look at Uber’s success Consumer market is flourishing and technology services are in demand Doing business there is easier than one may presume Demand in Saudi Arabia for consumer software is shockingly high. But most people in Silicon Valley do not understand why nor how to capitalize on…
Read MoreExploring Rajasthan and an Indian Wedding
Exploring Rajasthan and an Indian Wedding The most fascinating part of India is Rajasthan While most of my trips to India have been Mumbai based, in 2015 I had the opportunity to explore Rajasthan when I was invited to my friend Ranjan’s wedding. It was the most fun I may ever have had. Rajasthan is…
Read MoreWhat I learned Taking German Colleagues to a Golden State Warriors Game
What I Learned Taking German Colleagues to a Basketball Game Sport can bridge the differences in working with different cultures Most Meaningful Experience: Everyone loves Stephen Curry The Warriors are in the middle of an amazing run, and I was lucky enough to host some of my German colleagues at against the Memphis Grizzlies last…
Read MoreSkiing and Snowboarding in Japan – Outside Hokkaido
Skiing and Snowboarding In Japan – Outside Hokkaido After numerous trips to Japan to go skiing, I often get asked about the places to go. So I thought I’d put together a short guide on my top picks for Japanese ski resorts. Aside from Niseko in Hokkaido (which offers some of the best skiing in…
Read MoreLearnings from RURU — Mobile Payments in Russia
Merchant adoption of NFC has been slow and those who have adopted it are unconvinced. Many experts think that just replicating the ecosystems of Korea and Japan will work in the west. Those familiar with Asian markets realize that consumer behavior and the payments ecosystems in those markets are far too different than they are…
Read MoreIndonesia’s Fast Growing Tech Market
Indonesia’s Fast-Growing Technology Market Indonesia is exploding. Catch it while you can. Indonesia has quietly become a great place to do business. The country finally seems to have cast off many of the problems that plagued it for years. Investors are starting to notice. Tokopedia recently raised $100 million from Sequoia and Softbank, Zalora raised…
Read MoreA Solution to America’s H1B Visa Impasse
H1B Visa policy is at an impasse: US is not innovating and companies are going offshore in droves O’Canada and Australia have tested programs we can emulate Solution: Give more H1B visas for technical jobs in rural America Win-Win: Tech companies get more visas, rural America gets more jobs Just a few years back, Paul Graham led a group of venture…
Read MorePart II: Six Tips for Startups to Invest in Japan
Investing In Japan II Six Tips for Startups to Invest in Japan Japan perplexes foreigners. Stepping out of Tokyo Station for the first time can feel like landing on the moon. Even those who have lived in Tokyo for years can be overwhelmed by its linguistic and cultural nuances. This kind of culture shock is…
Read MoreLithuania: A Few Autumn Days
Most meaningful experience:Discovering my own heritage and the meaning behind my “Lithuanian eyes”. In 2018, I found out I was 50% Lithuanian through a 23andme test. Top tips: – Walk up to the Gediminas’ Tower to take in the views across Vilnius’ UNESCO-listed Old Town. – Make a day trip to the former capital at…
Read MoreEstonia – The Rising Medieval Empire – Oct 12-13, 2014
Most meaningful encounter: Hanging out with Kadri and exploring the town! Top tips: Learn about the startups at Garage48 Foundation and Tallinn’s position as a digital city. Soak up the views across the medieval Old Town from the Toompea Castle. Wander through the charismatic streets of the Old Town and shop for Lithuanian amber. As…
Read MoreTrip to Buda-pessht – October 3rd, 2014
Buda-Pessht (BP) or Pessht – Buda One side of the Danube is Buda and the other is Pessht. The Pesst side call itself Pessht-Buda and the Buda side calls itself, Buda-Pessht. Buda has the history and magnificence while Pessht has the future and the day to day. That difference conveys how I felt about my…
Read MoreTurkey: Outside Istanbul
Most meaningful experience: Traveling the town of Ephesus to see how magnificent the Roman Empire must have been and hanging out with friends. Top tips: Watch the sunrise over Cappadocia during a hot air balloon trip. Explore the hidden dwellings and walkways of the Kaymaklı Underground City. Admire the Byzantine artwork in the rock-cut churches…
Read MoreTwo Days in Istanbul, Turkey
After a whirlwind trip through Turkey, I had two days to pack in as much sightseeing as possible in the enchanting city of Istanbul. If you want to follow in my footsteps and have 48 hours to spare, here are my recommendations. Day 1: Begin your day at the Rustempasa Mosque, which features some of…
Read MoreTop Ten Reasons Why San Franciscans Would Love Tokyo
Top Ten Reasons Why San Franciscans Would Love Tokyo And they are… 1. Foodies! – Everyone knows I don’t like super expensive tasting menus and would always prefer a burrito or Yoshinoya. That said, I’ve always said SF has the best restaurants whether a cheap burrito or expensive Michelin rated; Tokyo has cheaper, better restaurants…
Read MoreWhat I Learned When the Power Went Out in SF and the Philippines
Over the past two weeks due to the wildfires in California, my power has gone out twice. AND I REALLY LIKED IT. Here’s why: 1. Turning off the power becomes a day off for everyone including the 7-11, Safeway, and gas stations. It is like a snow day or bad weather, but it’s even better because the…
Read MoreWant to Volunteer in Nepal? Here is a List of Non-Profits
Want to Volunteer in Nepal? Here is a list of non-profits from the embassy. 1. BASE 2. BSP Nepal Biogas Support Programme 3. CEHURDES Center for Human Rights and Democratic Studies 4. CMF Centre for Micro-Finance in Nepal 5. Communicaction Corner 6. CVICT 7. CWIN 8. COPPADES 9. Didibahini 10. Ecohimal 11. Educate the Children…
Read MoreI went to Croatia a long time ago.
I went to Croatia once with Nick and made a video. Click to rate this post! [Total: 0 Average: 0]
Read MoreA Day Mountain Biking
I went mountaing biking yesterday at Saint Teresa Park in San Jose, CA, just before a round of golf. Upon arriving, I noticed a group in the distance but didn’t think much of it. So I grabbed my two wheeled terrain hopper and took off. In the middle of my ride, I hear a gunshot…
Read MoreAn Anecdote About Doing Business in Asia
An Anecdote about Doing Business in Asia People often ask what I think the biggest differences are doing biz in US, China, and Japan. Here is how I can answer. A man walks into an American convenient store and asks for a Pepsi (Note: I prefer Pepsi over Coke so I’m using Pepsi in this…
Read MoreRain
Now that I’ve lived in San Francisco during the rainy season, I have learned about a new type of rain. Most of you aren’t familiar with Carolina Rain, which is a great song by Carolina Rain. Some of the quotes are “rain feels like heaven when the water hits my skin” and “nothing washes my…
Read MoreI spent 3 Weeks in Spain in 2008
I went to Spain for 3 Weeks. I’d been to Spain many times but the first was in 2008 when I went to Valencia, Madrid, Barcelona, and Sevilla. But I didn’t blog about it :(. If I had kept vlogging then, I’d been famous. But I went back from other events like the Global GSM…
Read MoreHawaii 5.0
From Dec. 9 -13, 2006 I made my first trip to Hawaii. Upon arriving I got my first taste of Hawaiin food. It was a Hawaiian Japanese oBento. It consisted of a box of rice with a full size chicken leg and hot dog on top. This first impression governed my cultural thoughts for the…
Read MoreTop 10 Reasons You Know You Lived in China/Asia Too Long
Upon returning to the US, here are the Top 10 Reasons You Know you were in China/Asia too long: 10) You can understand everything that people say around you 9) When crossing the street, you feel uncomfortable because of the lack of speeding cars and bicycles. You wait until a car speeds by and then…
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