Due to the pandemic this year, the Burning Man Organization made the smart choice to postpone the event in Black Rock City. Instead of going to Nevada, the community came together to share art, music and virtual social gatherings over the web. As part of my contribution this year, I decided to write a book…
Photography books coming to Kindle
Hello dear readers! At long last I’ve found the time to create my first photography book. In this first book, I take the reader to the Himalayan mountain range on my first trek through the Annapurna circuit. Please consider taking a look if you’ve been curious about taking your own trip to Kathmandu or Pokhara….
Tending the garden
What do you do, when you don’t know what to do? Create beauty in some small way I would say. https://leapingaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/the-rock-garden/
The legacy of traditional arts in Japan
When I lived in Japan, I had the opportunity to pursue several of the ancient art practices of the culture. Doing so taught me a great deal about the spirit of the artist and the reverence for tradition in Japan. Walk back in time with me: https://leapingaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/perfect-amber/
Zen practice in Japan
Take a journey to a Zen monastery established in 1244 when Buddhism was first introduced to Japan. Eiheiji still opens its Zendo to visitors wishing to learn to meditate to this day. https://leapingaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/staring-at-walls/
Observations of a Gaijin
Alexis de Tocqueville came to the fledgling nation of the United States shortly after its formation to get cultural insights into what was taking place in the Petri dish of the early formation of the country. From his travels he wrote the book “Democracy in America”. My anthropology professor in college discussed at length the…
The call of the road
It’s always easy to justify travel. Everybody has dozens of reasons why to do it. I’ve thought a lot about why it’s so important for me over the years. My most selfish reasons for travel are pure mental stimulation and fascination of constantly being confronted by new contexts. Since I was young, I’ve had an…
Vancouver
Explore the art of first nation people of Canada at the University of British Columbia or rent a bicycle to explore the dark forests of Stanley Park. Then luxuriate as you cobble together a picnic from the abundant markets of Granville Island. https://leapingaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/vancouver/
Cuba
Hear the lilt of seductive Buena Vista Social Club musicians and visit the Spanish fort at the port of Havana. You’ll feel as if you’re visiting Florida in the 1950’s as classic cars in mint condition still drive the roads of this beautiful Caribbean island. https://leapingaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/havana/
Shanghai
Stroll an ancient Ming Dynasty garden with tea houses and ponds filled with carp fish. Then walk a short distance to the heart of China’s largest metropolis. Shanghai’s contrast of old and new co-existing is a wonder to behold. https://leapingaroundtheworld.wordpress.com/shanghai-2/