It was in the year 1986 I made my first trip to Japan. In preparation for the trip I’d read several books. I needed a cultural crash course hoping to avoid the kind of stupid mistakes expatriates customarily make when they discover a new country to visit and carry their own cultural mores with them as they travel. I’ve learned over the years no matter … Continue reading The Oriental Test
“You really need to visit the Indo-China region.” Rob made this casual remark getting up from his chair to leave my office. Indo-China was part of his administrative responsibilities, and it was my job to care for the financial needs of the whole Asia-Pacific area so we often had occasion to sit and talk business. It was … Continue reading Laos
In 1986 I made my first trip to the Indonesian territory Irian Jaya. This was a long and tortuous journey by air involving stopovers in Jakarta and Manado, or the alternate route through Manila, Davao and Manado. I decided to make my first entry through Jakarta as that was the closest entry point to Indonesia from Singapore. So I presented myself at the Indonesian Embassy … Continue reading Jayapura
We could scarcely afford to make this trip as a family, but after spending entire lives in Southern Asia our children needed to see exotic Nepal before finally saying goodbye to the sub-continent 1985 and heading to a new assignment location in Singapore where they would further their education. Our small aircraft taxied into the Katmandu airport; noses of our two children pressed firmly against … Continue reading Nepal
I’d been looking forward to my trip to Seoul with a mixture of pleasure and apprehension. My pleasure was in anticipation of a pleasant meeting with the hospitable Korean people; my apprehension due to difficulties I anticipated working through a translator for two weeks of lectures for a distance learning graduate program. I was naturally concerned materials I’d taken so long to prepare would reach … Continue reading Seaweed for Breakfast
Benita was touring a Northern Asia country with her parents. News that morning hadn’t been positive, and should’ve given pause for thought as the family planned their day’s activities. Students at the university were expected to go on the rampage that day because they disagreed with some laws their government had implemented. The report was not a news item on TV, but word spreads and … Continue reading GOING WITH THE CROWD
I hadn’t taken kindly to a suggestion by companions in travel we visit the Maharajah’s palace in Mysore. The palace was commissioned in 1897, and its construction was completed in 1912. This palace is now one of the famous tourist attractions of India. After a vacation in the mountain cool of Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu we’d descended to blistering heat of the plains, and completed our … Continue reading MYSORE PALACE
On the hot, dusty but fertile plains of the south Deccan Plateau in India a son was born to an orthodox Hindu family. They called him Madhu, and proceeded to shower on the young child the love and devotion Hindus give in abundance to their children. They were double blessed as this was a boy! Village life was very pleasant, though people with a western … Continue reading MADHU’S CHOICE
In 1995 after completing ten happy years contract in Singapore we were on our way to the next assignment, a university appointment in the Philippines. I was delighted with the appointment as the new campus had been developed during my time as the Singapore based administrator sourcing funds for the project, and I’d additional good fortune to be on the search … Continue reading Only a Fool
Jean stood by the window peeping from the side of the curtains. “She’s actually doing it! Should we run out and stop her?” Her husband Tom opened a corner of the curtains on the other side of the window and looked out over the front driveway. His little four years old was struggling down the driveway with her doll suitcase. He looked at Jean. “What … Continue reading Running Away
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