13 articles tagged with traditional markets
Standing at the intersection of Wangfujing Street, watching the neon lights reflect off gleaming glass facades while the scent of street food wafts from nearby hutongs, I'm reminded of the fascinating duality that defines Beijing's shopping landscape. As someone with...
When most Americans think of South Korea, their minds immediately jump to K-Pop, high-tech cities, and perhaps kimchi. But just as a smart investment portfolio needs diversification, so too does your cultural experience in this fascinating country. Last fall, I...
When I relocated to Seoul three years ago, following my wife's appointment at Seoul National University Hospital, navigating the labyrinthine world of Korean beauty culture wasn't exactly on my research agenda. As a medical researcher accustomed to analyzing clinical trials...
The air in Nouakchott hits differently – a peculiar blend of salt from the Atlantic and fine Saharan dust that settles on your skin like a welcome embrace. As someone who's spent years chasing the craftsmanship of distilleries and gaming...
The ancient capital of Japan holds secrets that unfold like the pages of a well-worn map, revealing themselves only to those willing to venture beyond the obvious. As someone who has spent years studying how traditional practices adapt to our...
There's something magnetic about cities in transition—places where history's wounds are still healing, yet the pulse of reinvention beats steadily beneath the surface. Dili, East Timor's capital, embodies this duality with a quiet intensity I've rarely encountered elsewhere. Landing here...
The medina walls of North Africa have long stood as silent witnesses to centuries of trade, cultural exchange, and human connection. As someone who has spent a lifetime observing the intricate workings of the human heart, I find myself equally...
The convergence of the Blue and White Nile rivers forms not just a geographical marvel but also the beating heart of Sudan's cultural identity. As I stood at Al-Mogran, watching the distinct waters merge—one muddy brown, the other a lighter...
The first time I stepped into Abéché's central market, the sensory assault was immediate – dust swirling in shafts of golden light, the mingling scents of spices and leather, and the symphony of languages dancing through the air. This ancient...
Singapore's gleaming skyscrapers and iconic attractions draw millions of visitors yearly, but beneath this polished veneer lies a Singapore that most tourists never experience. As someone with Korean heritage who's traveled extensively throughout Asia, I've developed a knack for uncovering...
When most travelers think of shopping in South Korea, Seoul's glittering Gangnam district or the youthful energy of Myeongdong typically come to mind. Yet just 30 kilometers west lies Incheon, a coastal metropolis where the shopping experience proves equally compelling...
The first time I heard about Abéché, it wasn't from a glossy travel magazine or a viral Instagram post. It was from an elderly Chadian man I met at a craft beer festival in Portland who noticed my interest in...
The taxi driver raised an eyebrow when I told him my destination. 'Fernando de la Mora? Not Asunción?' It wasn't the first time I'd received this reaction. While most travelers to Paraguay gravitate toward the capital city or the famous...