Dearest Rachel – In some ways, I don’t know how we managed it back in the day; before you were able to let me retire, we tended to be short on time, because even though I was given five weeks of vacation time after so many years of service, it was hard to squeeze suchContinue reading “Oh, The Places We Didn’t See”
Tag Archives: sights
Not Such an Anticlimax as All That
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure we’d seen the aurora borealis once or twice since the time we did on the night I proposed to you (and you took it as the heavens themselves blessing the moment, as I recall), but you’d think I’d be able to remember and point to the night, especially since it’sContinue reading “Not Such an Anticlimax as All That”
Nuuk
Dearest Rachel – Well, now we’re on our way to the capital; a town not even a third the size of our own, but which makes up nearly half the population of the entire… country?… of Greenland. Yes, that’s a contentious point, and I’ll get to it further along, as I put this together. Yes,Continue reading “Nuuk”
When the Camera Doesn’t Do it Justice
Dearest Rachel – So our second day in Iceland had us on an actual excursion. While I’d considered a horseback ride as a option, Daniel’s lack of enthusiasm for the possibility (to be fair, he hasn’t ridden a horse since we visited Disney World with Ellen some twenty-three years ago) caused me to decide againstContinue reading “When the Camera Doesn’t Do it Justice “
Time Afoot
Dearest Rachel – After finishing up my last letter to you about the city (granted, I didn’t dwell too much on the city, since you remember having been here – and, like I said, we didn’t spend too much time in Reykjavik proper), there wasn’t a whole lot for us to do at the timeContinue reading “Time Afoot”
(Not An) Instagram Christmas
Dearest Rachel – I never was much for any of the social media juggernauts; I never had an account on Facebook, unlike you (although now that I’ve linked your account to my phone, I get notifications just about every day about one or another of your friends posting something and supposedly tagging you – toContinue reading “(Not An) Instagram Christmas”
What Commuters Miss…?
Dearest Rachel – Throughout my travels, both this year and previous, I’ve often seen this or that building or other place as the vehicle – be it a train, tram, coach or automobile – passes by along the way, and wondered what goes on there, being fully aware that I’ll never know the answer toContinue reading “What Commuters Miss…?”
Crammed In
Dearest Rachel – I can’t say that, on this last ‘full’ day of my trip, I’m giving the upcoming event my full attention. I’m too concerned with making sure everything I have has been packed away sufficiently. And once I got it all together, I read what I should be bringing ashore – including swimwearContinue reading “Crammed In”
The Spice Must Flow
Dearest Rachel – As I was preparing to head out on this excursion, I felt like I was forgetting something. Shouldn’t I be recording a “welcome to Mumbai” video from the balcony, like I’ve tried to do most every morning we’re in port? But I already did one of those yesterday (even if I can’tContinue reading “The Spice Must Flow”
Bouncing Around
Dearest Rachel – I’m not gonna lie, honey; I’m not a big fan of the public address system they have on the ship. You can always hear the ‘bing-bong’ of the chimes, heralding an important announcement for all the ships passengers to hear, only for the actual voice to be completely inaudible to someone likeContinue reading “Bouncing Around”
Cochin & Alappuzha
Dearest Rachel – I’m not entirely sure which of these cities I should be telling you about. We’re docking in the former – well, eventually; we’re not expected to arrive until after noon – but I’ll be spending most of my time in the second, cruising (yes, I get off one ship to board anotherContinue reading “Cochin & Alappuzha”
Colombo Morning
Dearest Rachel – I did mention that I’d have to wake up early this morning, didn’t I? Yes, well… I hadn’t expected to be this early. I like to give myself a couple of hours before I’m to report to the theater for my shore excursions. It gives me time to shower, dry off, dress,Continue reading “Colombo Morning”
Hambantota
Dearest Rachel – I’m going to save the brief bureaucratic nightmare for my recap of the day, as I think it will distract from the research I might as well do on this town (despite its size) and Columbo, given that I’ve got a sea day in which to work on this. As it happens,Continue reading “Hambantota”
Such Small Portions
Dearest Rachel – I thought I needed to be at the theater by a quarter to nine; turns out, the call was at eight o’clock sharp. So, with neither a chance to get breakfast nor weigh myself in (since we were in port now, and the ship wasn’t being rocked by the ocean), I brushed my teethContinue reading “Such Small Portions”
Momentary Millionaire
Dearest Rachel – Since I thought I might need to get my hands on some of the local currency in case I have any significant expenditures to deal with while ashore (if nothing else, having cash to tip our tour guides with can’t be a bad thing), I figured I would look up the localContinue reading “Momentary Millionaire”
Last Day in Japan
Dearest Rachel – It probably shouldn’t come as any surprise that I’m wearing my “America-jin” shirt yet again – it’s my last chance to do so and have it mean anything to anybody. I have to admit to being somewhat dismayed by the effect of a couple of laundries on it already; I think they use aContinue reading “Last Day in Japan”
Return To The Mountain
Dearest Rachel – It is so weird to be back in the same obscure little exurban(? I mean, it’s exurban to Tokyo, whose existence is so overwhelming that even Yokohama, the second largest city in Japan, practically ceases to exist in most people’s minds – including my own – as a separate entity) port thatContinue reading “Return To The Mountain”
Osaka
Dearest Rachel – So tomorrow is our last stop in Japan (and to think, I still have ¥10,000 in cash to get rid of – never mind the coins – I’d best find something to blow it on), and I need to do this latest destination at least a little bit of justice, seeing asContinue reading “Osaka”
Return To Where I’ve Never Been
Dearest Rachel – I’m sure that, to my tablemates, my Japanophilia may seem a little strange. It dates, as you remember, from our college days, before I was aware of terms like ‘anime’ (back then, what little there was that came to the States was referred to as ‘Japanimation,’ and even then, those who coinedContinue reading “Return To Where I’ve Never Been”
天津一日游 – A Day in Tianjin
Dearest Rachel – Unlike Beijing, where I was basically skirting around the city I’d visited quite literally once upon a time, Tianjin is a city I’m not particularly familiar with. When I was in China the last time, we arrived by plane, not by ship, and as such, while this is “the port of theContinue reading “天津一日游 – A Day in Tianjin”
Twelve Hours on the Mainland (Eight of Them on the Road)
Dearest Rachel – So, this is the day; the twelve-plus hour excursion. They don’t get any longer than this; from here on out, everything else is going to be relatively easy. Hours on a coach, passing two enormous cities, to visit a place that I’ve been to before (but admittedly, barely remember, apart from someContinue reading “Twelve Hours on the Mainland (Eight of Them on the Road)”
The City and the Wall
Dearest Rachel – I was going to make this report on the city of Beijing, but I don’t know how much time I’m actually going to be spending there, when it all comes down to it. The day we went to the Great Wall thirty-five years ago took up most of the day, as IContinue reading “The City and the Wall”
Filming One’s Seoul
Dearest Rachel – Morning in Incheon starts slowly; while I’m up an hour before the alarm I set for myself, I’m slow in getting myself put together. It’s reasonable, as I don’t need to be in the theater until a quarter after nine – and the extra hour, in particular, means I have more thanContinue reading “Filming One’s Seoul”
What Does It Matter?
Dearest Rachel – I suppose it’s appropriate to be dealing with this conundrum on April Fools’ Day. After researching about the city of Okinawa (because our latest port couldn’t be just about the prefecture by that name, since we were already here in the form of the island and city of Ishigaki), the Cruise CompassContinue reading “What Does It Matter?”
No Coaching, Please!
Dearest Rachel – I have to admit, I’m not a big fan of coach tours, where you spend all of your time on a bus going from place to place, and being told about this building on the left or this structure on the right. On the other hand, when the city center is twentyContinue reading “No Coaching, Please!”
Sydney
Dearest Rachel – For all that I’m looking forward to visiting (and revisiting) certain places along this particular cruise, there are others that I’ve given rather short shift to. I clearly didn’t know anything about French Polynesia, and I really haven’t done my homework on anywhere in Australia either. Which is pretty unfortunate, as AustraliaContinue reading “Sydney”
Hurrying Nowhere
Dearest Rachel – You know me, honey. You know that when I travel, I tend to prefer being in the middle of a city; there’s so many things there to see and do. A stop like this, much like anywhere in the Caribbean, feels like being in the middle of nowhere, with the few peopleContinue reading “Hurrying Nowhere”
We Missed the Daffodils
Dearest Rachel – For all the hype about our trip to Japan, and that we were doing it at the exact time (more or less) as cherry blossom season, the fact of the matter remains that there are other flowers that were blooming as well. In Tokyo, in particular, the blossoms had already fallen byContinue reading “We Missed the Daffodils”
The Sun Also Sets
Farewell, Japan – I will miss you. I will miss your forests, with your pine trees standing so closely together (and so close to the road) that your nature can be every bit as claustrophobic as the streets and alleyways of your cities. I will miss your customs, such as the belief that a pairContinue reading “The Sun Also Sets”
Views from the Port Side
Dearest Rachel – I understand that we don’t necessarily have a say in where our stateroom is located on the ship when we sign up for a cruise. Half of the passengers will get starboard cabins, and the other half will be on the port side. It rather has to be that way, otherwise weContinue reading “Views from the Port Side”
For the Last Time
Dearest Rachel – “Tomorrow at this time…” Daniel’s voice trails off as we ascend the escalator into Tokyo’s International Port building. He doesn’t need to finish the thought; we both know we’ll be taking this same route through the building thirty or so hours from now, as we prepare to make our way to theContinue reading “For the Last Time”
Ever In Our Favor
Dearest Rachel – First off, I suppose I need to thank you. All of the time, I’m asking you to keep an eye on us, and other things as well from time to time. But when things pan out as well or better than expected, I really need to express my appreciation. Between you andContinue reading “Ever In Our Favor”
Shimizu – 清水
Dearest Rachel – Our trip is just about to wind down, and we’re down to our last stop before returning to Tokyo, and from there to Narita and home via Denver (which no, I am not going to bother writing about. I’ve already told you plenty about having been there). I’m not sure how muchContinue reading “Shimizu – 清水”
Misty Motomachi Morning
Dearest Rachel – After having written you earlier this morning, I passed by the gangplank on my way back to the room. It was posted there that we passengers needed to be back on board the ship by one o’clock, so that we could leave Kobe for Shimizu by five. That meant that, in aContinue reading “Misty Motomachi Morning”
Kobe – 神戸
Dearest Rachel – Thanks for indulging me in a little bit of reminiscence about the city I remember best from my last time in Asia; I only wish I could have brought you with, so that you and I could have swapped stories about our previous visits. Granted, your homestay village of Tsumago is soContinue reading “Kobe – 神戸”
Staying Put… or Not
Dearest Rachel – Eight a.m., and we’re eating breakfast overlooking the enormous (compared to most of our other stops, including Tokyo; the roof is even with the level of the upper-deck cafe) station at the Kobe harbor. We’re going to be here until five in the evening tomorrow. Well, ‘we’ as in the passengers onContinue reading “Staying Put… or Not”
Kyoto – 京都
Dearest Rachel – I know I should be talking about Kobe, since that is the port that we will be coming into tomorrow. However, since our excursion is a Shinkansen ride to Kyoto – and this is the place I remember so vividly, as I walked around it during the day after the Emperor Showa’sContinue reading “Kyoto – 京都”
The Journey is the Destination
Dearest Rachel – Last night’s trip was a curious one; even though they pulled up the gangplank shortly after six in Hiroshima, we still hadn’t left port even after we ate, retired to the room, and Daniel fell asleep waiting for me to finish assembling certain documents for church and send them off, so weContinue reading “The Journey is the Destination”
Takamatsu – 高松
Dearest Rachel – So now, we visit the third of Japan’s major islands, meaning we’ll have stopped at all but Hokkaido on this trip. And to think, we still have three more days before we’re back in Tokyo. Takamatsu is the capital city of Kagawa Prefecture, located in the northwestern part of Shikoku Island, theContinue reading “Takamatsu – 高松”
Rain and Sun
Dearest Rachel – You may have noticed from the picture I sent you this morning while en route that the sky was dark and cloudy. That was not because it was early in the morning in the sun had risen (although admittedly, it was early in the morning, but the sun was, theoretically, up), butContinue reading “Rain and Sun”
Stretching the Experience
Dearest Rachel – April continues to move on, and we’ve made our way as far south as we wil. It’s finally warm enough for us to go around in T-shirts (not that Daniel is willing to shed his layers of clothing just yet), so we sit on the veranda balcony as we wait for ourContinue reading “Stretching the Experience”
Kitakyushu – 北九州
Dearest Rachel – So, after that brief sojourn on the tip of the Asian continent proper, we return to the islands of Japan. And I use the plural deliberately, since this is our first visit to a city on an island other than the main one of Honshu. Kitakyushu is a city located in theContinue reading “Kitakyushu – 北九州”
Busan – 부산시
Dearest Rachel – I know that, when cruises’ destinations are within the United States (such as to Alaska and Hawaii), there is a stop (or, more often, an embarkation point) in another country, so that the ship isn’t subject to the laws of the United States, which presumably are considerably more stringent than the internationalContinue reading “Busan – 부산시”
On Both Sides of the Border
Dearest Rachel – With every stop we make along the ancient shipping route around the perimeter of Honshu, we get the same announcement from the government of Japan: we’re not allowed to bring meat products ashore, lest we run the risk of bringing potentially infectious items into the country. Setting aside the question of whereContinue reading “On Both Sides of the Border”
Kanazawa – 金沢
Dearest Rachel – I think of Japan (and the main island of Honshu in particular) as being much like California in shape and climate, if clearly not in culture. If we think of ‘cruise ship speed’ as equivalent to 25 mph on land (at least, that’s what we always referred to it as we droveContinue reading “Kanazawa – 金沢”
Taking it Easy (Relatively Speaking)
Dearest Rachel – I confess to not being entirely at ease at breakfast; the dining room has what Daniel wants to eat today, but it opens an hour later than the other places serving breakfast, and gives us but and hour to eat and prepare ourselves to head out on our tour. But somehow weContinue reading “Taking it Easy (Relatively Speaking)”
Niigata – 新潟
Dearest Rachel – Even before we head down the gangplank tomorrow, we should have a beautiful view, no matter where we are; the side of the ship not facing the city should be able to see Sado Island. At least, that’s what it looks like on the map of the prefecture, showing where the cityContinue reading “Niigata – 新潟”
A Bit of a Mess
Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday we went out on walkabout before our tour; today that’s definitely not going to be possible today, as our tour starts almost as soon as we’re docked and cleared to get off the ship. We will, however, have a good four or five hours before the ship leaves, in orderContinue reading “A Bit of a Mess”
Akita – 秋田
Dearest Rachel – We’ve now gone across the top of Honshu, and continuing our counterclockwise route around the country through the Sea of Japan (as opposed to the Pacific Ocean proper). Akita (literally translated ‘autumn field,’ which suggests we’re here at exactly the wrong time of year – evidently, the many rice paddies turn aContinue reading “Akita – 秋田”
Broken Morning
Dearest Rachel – I have to confess, I’m not really sure what time zone I’m functioning on at this point. I only know it’s not really the one that I should be on. Since there’s nothing particularly interesting in terms of entertainment after dinner (unless I want to stay up until 11 or so, toContinue reading “Broken Morning”
Aomori – 青森
Dearest Rachel – As our one and only sea day comes to a close, I’m starting in on sending out these daily pre-docking reports, like we used to do as a family. As I’ve mentioned a few times previously, most of the research is being done by artificial intelligence – because there’s too many stopsContinue reading “Aomori – 青森”
Departure Day
Dearest Rachel – No, to the best of my knowledge, it’s not so momentous as yours; we’re just getting everything packed to be taken to our ship. There is a twinge of concern, as we won’t be absolutely sure we’ll be able to get on until we’re actually on. But that’s not something we’re goingContinue reading “Departure Day”
Closed on Weekends
Dearest Rachel – For all that we found ourselves standing in line for several hours at Haneda Airport, waiting to be cleared through customs and collect our bags, we should have known that it wouldn’t have mattered how long we took to get through. When you arrive in a city at five in the morningContinue reading “Closed on Weekends”
Tokyo – 東京
Dearest Rachel – Since I’m going to be incommunicado on the flight, I figure I’ll have this prepared beforehand to send to you, and schedule it to arrive shortly before landing. After all, it isn’t as if I’m going to be discussing this with Daniel at dinner – while I expect we’ll be served severalContinue reading “Tokyo – 東京”
Shopportunities
Dearest Rachel – The first time we heard this phrase was the last time we were in Israel. Our guide, Irad, claimed no credit for it; he had, on a recent tour previous, been asked about them from a pair of twenty-something girls, and liked the expression so much as to ask permission to borrowContinue reading “Shopportunities”
A Stone’s Throw Away
Dearest Rachel – As we drive off from our lunch stop (and that’s a quick story for another time), Yael discusses the reforestation of Israel; it would seem that it was denuded of trees in the late nineteenth century for hardwood to build a rail line between Istanbul and Mecca/Medina for hajj travelers. Over 90%Continue reading “A Stone’s Throw Away”
Calm Amid the Chaos
Dearest Rachel – Since thus far, we really haven’t had the time for shopping, it would seem that merchants have decided to come to us. I mentioned about Junior plugging tattoos yesterday; today, we had a guy aboard the bus, shilling personalized necklaces and rings. I’m not gonna lie, I was briefly tempted to getContinue reading “Calm Amid the Chaos”
This You Cannot Make Me Do
Dearest Rachel – The climax of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol is the moment when Scrooge brushes the snow away from the tombstone of the ‘unknown’ man he had seen lying dead earlier in his travels with the Spirit of Christmas Future. It’s the turning point in which he realizes how worthless his life hasContinue reading “This You Cannot Make Me Do”
The Sacred and the Secular in the City of the Savior
Dearest Rachel – We hear the bleat of a horn (and I’m not kidding – it drops a tone mid-honk) as we step off the bus this morning. It’s normal for the inhabitants, but it’s odd for us to land on an angle this steep. At least it’s easy to make our way out ofContinue reading “The Sacred and the Secular in the City of the Savior”
The City of David
Dearest Rachel – “♫ Jerusalem, if I forget youLet my right hand forget what it’s supposed to do ♪” We bounce in to the strains of reggae, if you can believe it. Jordan claims it’s a tradition among us at the Bridge, but I don’t recall that from past visits to Jerusalem. Our first timeContinue reading “The City of David”
Streams and Songs in the Desert
Dearest Rachel – We’re warned not allowed to eat, drink, smoke or feed the animals as we make our way into the En Gedi nature preserve. I wonder about smoking the animals for eating, but Daniel nudges me like you would for a crack like that – which I probably deserve. I thought that EnContinue reading “Streams and Songs in the Desert”
The Last Stand
Dearest Rachel – We’re back at Masada yet again; and although it doesn’t factor into the Biblical record, it seems to be de rigeur for a tourist in Israel to visit, it would seem. It’s a symbol of heroism for Israelis, despite involving what was effectively mass suicide, a serious breach of Jewish morality. However,Continue reading “The Last Stand”
Not Going South Just Yet
Dearest Rachel – It’s 8 a.m., and we’re underway – to some applause, as we actually pulled out at 7:59. Considering that I felt like I was being order to be ready to go by 7:45 (and I know, I shouldn’t take it personally if I’m not the one guilty of being late) I don’tContinue reading “Not Going South Just Yet”
Galilee Afternoon
Dearest Rachel – Sunday dinnerOn the shore of Galilee At a… Chinese restaurant? Actually no, we’re not eating at the Pagoda this time. But, we find ourselves eating outdoors in November – another unfamiliar combination of concepts for a group of Chicago natives. But as time wears on, and the sun beats down on us, evenContinue reading “Galilee Afternoon”
A Light from the Heights
Dearest Rachel – After lunch at Caesarea Philippi, we take an hour-long ride into the Golan Heights (still a part of the Galilee region), to a town called Gamla. You would think that a nation barely the size of Rhode Island wouldn’t have such long drives from place to place, and yet, here we are.Continue reading “A Light from the Heights”
Dan in the North
Dearest Rachel – No, this has nothing to do with Daniel being with me as we head to the northernmost point of Israel (at least, not at first); this area was named Dan long before that. I should point out that I haven’t been bringing our itinerary with us; since I’m not the one driving,Continue reading “Dan in the North”
Blessed Are…
Dearest Rachel – After barely making the bus (it looks like I’m starting to fall into your habits, sweetheart), we listen to a little recent history from Yael as we travel to the Mount of Beatitudes, overlooking the Sea of Galilee; basically, that of the two-state proposal as drawn up in 1948 (and summarily rejectedContinue reading “Blessed Are…”
On the Edge of Shabbat
Dearest Rachel – For all our familiarity with certain Jewish traditions – and ever more so, now that Logan is living with us (although he cheerfully agrees with my assessment of him as a ‘cheeseburger Jew,’ which is to say, rather loose with regard to the strictures of his religion) – Israel proper takes whatContinue reading “On the Edge of Shabbat”
The Site of Armageddon?
Dearest Rachel – It’s a strange thing to consider; while we’re well aware that the name Armageddon comes from a specific place – the valley of Megiddo, where we are now heading to – it goes against our understanding to think of the end of the world happening in a single specific place. Armageddon seemsContinue reading “The Site of Armageddon?”
Broken Guardrails
Dearest Rachel – So, this morning I was out walking to the ‘office’ for the first time in longer than I’d care to admit. Not only had it been a long time since I walked, the weather first thing in the morning was ideal for it, being bright, sunny and with temperatures in the midContinue reading “Broken Guardrails”
No Longer Barefoot
Dearest Rachel – It is the weirdest thing to realize this is the first time I’ve had socks or shoes on since last Sunday. I’ve had no reason to wear them. I’m also having to put on more than just a T-shirt or a polo, for once. Hey it’s in the single digits Celsius outContinue reading “No Longer Barefoot”
Empty Reminders
Dearest Rachel – It doesn’t really follow to mourn a place you never patronized, but we always agreed it was said to see a business leave the area, regardless. Every empty restaurant, even one that we never got around to visiting, is still a blight on the landscape for sitting vacant. And let’s not getContinue reading “Empty Reminders”
Letters to Rachel 