This is a bit more in depth on the Monkey Temple mentioned in an earlier post. One of many memorable moments on this Nepalese adventure was to Swayambhunath – also called the “Monkey Temple”. Let me explain. Swayambhunath is an ancient religious site built on a hill overlooking the Kathmandu Valley with incredible views (on … More Monkeys, Monkeys, and More Monkeys!
Staying at a monastery guest house was one of the most peaceful, serene experiences I’ve ever had. Smack in the middle of chaotic Kathmandu sits this oasis of spiritual grounds, devout monks going about their business, and spartan but very quiet hosting rooms and cafe gardens….except this morning when a concert of what sounded like … More Getting My First Taste of Nepali Arts & Family Traditions
I awoke at 5am to a chorus of bells and barking dogs, with some bird songs chiming in. Being on the grounds of a monastery that sits in the midst of a huge and bustling city, I shouldn’t have been surprised at any of this. I’d had a restful night’s sleep in any case. The … More Monastery, Markets, Monkeys, Meditation & More
Our dear friend Laura, who used to be our next door neighbor in Carlsbad, has remained an inspiring and beloved partner in “Tikkun Olam” (Repairing the World) activities both Andrew and I are passionate about. Laura has started food programs for homeless communities, builds houses in Mexico, and now has created Culturekova with the goal … More Nepal & Bhutan: The Adventure Begins
When we said goodbye to Tokyo, we didn’t in just a few days get to explore all the diverse aspects of this megalopolis, but in hindsight we did get a good sense of the unique neighborhoods, corporate versus local business, and the incredible variety of food and experiences available. Conversely, we did clearly see the … More Kyoto: The Heart and Soul of Japanese History & Culture
With our incessant wanderlust and a lot of family logistics since our trip, I am miserably late in posting about our wonderful trip to Japan. We went on our own and I take some pride in having planned our itinerary myself (with the kind help of other travelers who’d gone before and my now-trusty assistant, … More Japan: The Expected and the Unexpected
Living La Vida Loca 