Challenged by Korean Cultural and Social Differences

Last week I began sharing about my experience teaching English in a summer program in South Korea in 2006. The school was located near Seoul. I traveled there with some other American teachers. While we enjoyed working with our students, working with the administration had its challenges. One of the positive things for me at the school was their technology. I was teaching in a private school at that time, and our technology was not at a very high level.…

Hong Kong Impressions

It was just last summer that Hong Kong nearly dominated the news media. There was considerable political unrest going on in the city. Protestors in Hong Kong were upset with concerns about losing freedoms which they have enjoyed that the rest of China has not. News reports showed protestors invading the airport and shutting down the light rail system. With the daily news reports about significant clashes between protestors and the police, tourism was definitely in decline. Our visit to…

Not All Toilets Are The Same

Yes, this post is actually about toilets, something most of us don’t find a reason to talk about. However, if you are traveling, toilets can be a big deal. Knowing what to expect can help you when you have to find that toilet. My unexpected encounter in the Taipei airport is an example of what might happen. We had a layover in Taipei for a few hours, and I had to use a toilet. I found a bathroom after wandering…