By Michael L Weiss | Besorah: Good News from the Journey Somewhere between the stony silence of ancient mountains and the murmuring flow of the Douro River, there exists a landscape so heartbreakingly beautiful it seems crafted not by geology, but by poetry. This is the Douro Valley of Portugal—where time slows to the rhythm of the […]
Introduction: 45 Years of Amazement and a Few Extra Inches Imagine me, a 6’1” gaijin, sauntering down the streets of Tokyo in cowboy boots nearly half a century ago. The sidewalks parted like the Red Sea as the towering foreigner, clad in boots that clacked with every step, marched through. Fast forward to today, and […]
Ah, the open sea! The endless horizon, the gentle rocking of the ship, and the culinary delights that tantalize and then, inevitably, tire. Two weeks into our nautical escapade, even the most exotic menu began to echo the dreariness of a Monday morning without coffee. Fear not, for the eve of our arrival in Osaka […]
Okinawa, a prefecture comprising more than 150 islands in the East China Sea between Taiwan and mainland Japan, holds a complex history that intertwines its rich cultural heritage with the scars of war and occupation. Yet, it is a testament to the resilience of its people and their capacity for reconciliation and adaptation in the […]
As we disembarked in the bustling northern port city of Keelung, Taiwan, I couldn’t help but notice how the harbor resembled a long, narrow river, a geographical quirk that offers an up-close-and-personal view of the city’s unique charm. Unlike its larger cousin, Kaohsiung, Keelung’s harbor is cozily nestled among mountains, offering a stunning backdrop of […]
Embarking on a voyage from Bali to Japan through the South China Seas is akin to flipping through a vibrant scrapbook of history, culture, and hilariously improbable transportation methods. Our first stops, Coron and Manila in the Philippines, offered stark contrasts, like comparing a serene, eco-conscious yoga retreat to the bustling chaos of a New […]
By Michael L Weiss “People who love to eat are the best people” -Julia Childs The question is, what do you get when you combine Middle Eastern, North African, Russian, German, Spanish, Persian, and Polish food cultures? Well, that is easy, it is Israeli Cooking. While I knew of the richness of Israel’s past, I […]