Prisoner of Hopes

Tag: connection

  • Chena River Discovery: Travel Goals Alaska

    Chena River Discovery: Travel Goals Alaska

    I’m making the bold claim that the Riverboat Discovery cruise is the best value in Fairbanks. I was impressed start to finish. We skipped it on our last visit, because it seemed like just a short ride up the river. We come from Mississippi River country and have been on our share of river boats…

  • Departing Japan: Travel Goals Japan

    Departing Japan: Travel Goals Japan

    Saying goodbye is bitter sweet. After a month of life in Tokyo there are things I have come to love. Unexpectedly, what I think I will miss most is the Japanese toilet. The heated seat, the heated water bidet, the sound machines make even public restrooms a comfort. I will also miss the cleanliness. People…

  • The Black Crow of Matsumoto: Travel Goals Japan

    The Black Crow of Matsumoto: Travel Goals Japan

    After almost two weeks exploring Tokyo and surrounding areas, we decide to travel farther afield. The bullet train will take us to Nagano province (about a three hour trip one way). Our destination is the mountain town of Matsumoto. I am excited to see the “Black Crow”, also known as Matsumoto Castle. Built in the…

  • False Creek Ferry

    False Creek Ferry

    Today we take bus 10 to Granville Island. The bus lets us off at an overpass and we try to follow Google Maps down under the elevated main thoroughfare and onto an underpass walkway that leads to the market and the docks. It isn’t as straightforward as we think it should be, but we manage.…

  • Timeless Temples: Travel Goals Japan

    Timeless Temples: Travel Goals Japan

    In Kyoto, it seems there are temples at every turn. We are actually looking for something to eat when we stumble on the Higashi Hongan Ji Temple. We think we are walking toward food trucks, but the tents and trucks are part of a tea festival and we don’t have tickets. It is a bust.…

  • Arrival: Travel Goals Canada

    Arrival: Travel Goals Canada

    Most days I love my rural home. Those days I am up before the sun, happily curled up in my favorite chair drinking coffee and either reading or writing. Today we have an early (5:30 am flight) and we live an hour from the airport. If you do the math; factoring travel time, airport parking…

  • Walking Tokyo Or Why I Think Your Feet Are Key To A Rich Travel Experience: Travel Goals Japan

    Walking Tokyo Or Why I Think Your Feet Are Key To A Rich Travel Experience: Travel Goals Japan

    There is never any doubt in my mind that the best way to get to point b from point a is to walk. This rule only applies when we travel. At home, I am more than happy to waste gas to take me three quarters of a mile to buy a luke warm latte made…

  • Prudence: Character Matters

    Prudence: Character Matters

    “It wouldn’t be prudent. Read my lips. No new taxes. A thousand points of light.”. If you are old enough to remember Saturday Night live in 1989, you can likely remember Dana Carvey’s impression of George Bush Senior. I can picture it. I haven’t heard anyone use the word prudent since then. Prudent. It is…

  • Character Matters

    Character Matters

    Over the years, I have met some characters. I have definitely been accused of being a “character” and probably was guilty as charged. But this week, I have been training adults (my day job) and I have discovered an uncomfortable truth. Okay, discovered is dramatic. I noticed once again a pattern among humans. The Ancient…

  • Bullet Train: Travel Goals Japan

    Bullet Train: Travel Goals Japan

    I am riding a bullet train today. There is one leaving the station every few minutes. I can arrive and walk to the platform with absolutely no fuss. I am still in shock that for a small fee I will be in a city across the country in just a few hours. With a Japan…