culture
Get the authentic cultural experience on your next foreign jaunt. Wander like a local; here, there, and everywhere.
The Danish Recipe for Happiness
Denmark creates a lot of media interest in its ways. Denmark is one of the happiest countries in the world. It’s fascinating that one of the happiest countries is par on indexes which is indicative of the overall development of such as GDP, inflation, and economic indices. Why Danes are happy even though other parameters show the opposite inclination.
By Anuraj Rajeev5 years ago in Wander
Swirl
The store sat at the corner of 8th. It had transitioned between stores until finally ending up where it was. At one point it was a butcher, an eye glass store, and a corner market. Now it was a consignment store. A little paradise in a city of cookie cutter houses and chain food restaurants. The store was different and it was busy. I worked at the store working through college. I knew who was a serious buyer and who was a browser, I knew the people who would bring in 1980s crap and call it “vintage” and the pickers who would bring in something beautiful. Like lemonade pink glass Fostoria pitchers, Victorian teacups and saucers, or mid-century walnut furniture. Yes, it was a lot of work to filter the important from the junk, and sometimes clients felt that I wielded my power-axe of “no” too often. Maybe. But, no one could accuse me of taking something that you could find at the next antique store. I took beautiful. I selected it. I handpicked it. And I was good.
By Elli Williams 5 years ago in Wander
Life of Sherpas In Nepal
Sherpa is a member of a Tibetan tribe, located in the mountainous region of Nepal in the Himalayan province of Tingri. The name Sherpa (Sherwa) is derived from the word Sherpa she-shar (East P-pa), which people refer to in their place in East Tibet. The name Sherpa is given as Sarwa to show how people pronounce the name Sherpas, meaning "East Tibet" and refers to their origin in Khamsin East Tibet.
By saurab sharma5 years ago in Wander
My Adventure in Afghanistan
As the twentieth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks approaches along with the international military withdrawal, I recall a special moment I had there: attending Catholic Mass. However, before I share my story about the church, I must highlight that my culinary experience in Afghanistan was quite different from what I had in Iraq. Afghan food is remarkably similar to the food I had been exposed to during my adventures in India.
By Chad Pillai5 years ago in Wander
My Adventure in Iraq
As a native New Yorker born in Brooklyn, pizza has always been a part of my life. What could be better than a hot slice of thin-crust pizza with melted cheese that you folded and ate? The best part of the days that I lived in the New York City and Yonkers area was getting a slice of pizza for a dollar. As a kid, it was a thrill to have a roll of quarters and ride your bike to the local pizzeria and spend $2.50 for two slices and a soda, and the rest of the quarters used for video games.
By Chad Pillai5 years ago in Wander
Name Origins of Bronx Landmarks and Neighborhoods
Photo by Metropolitan Transportation Authority of the State of New York Arthur Avenue The origin of Arthur Avenue begins with the arrival of Pierre Abraham Lorillard to the area. P. Lorillard & Co initially operated in lower Manhattan in 1760 and manufactured a tobacco snuff product. Soon after, the family bought a large tract of land along the Bronx River and named their estate Belle Monte. In 1870, the property passed to Catherine Lorillard Wolfe, and she divided the holding into a number of streets and avenues. The main thoroughfare was designated Arthur Avenue because the great granddaughter was a big admirer of President Chester A. Arthur.
By Rich Monetti5 years ago in Wander
Tortillas, Gateway to Marriage
The Mexican state of Oaxaca deserves its own book dedicated solely to its food, mostly consisting of the different names you can give to variations of tortilla, queso, and salsa. Quesadillas. Empanadas. Tlayudas. Hurraches. Entomatadas. Enchiladas. Chilaquiles. And of course, the taco. I knew them as the cheesy one; the Mexican pasty; the Mexican pizza; the pile of tortillas one; the small open top ones; the tomatoe-y ones; the spicy ones; the soggy breakfast ones (a personal favourite); and the ones that are nothing like the TexMex tacos sold in the UK.
By Alison Victoria Shepherd5 years ago in Wander
Canada, Eh? (Travel from Home #12)
This month, my travel from home trip was to the great white north: Canada. A friend sent me a Canada photography book for my birthday for my fake travels, which I actually read a week or so earlier than the rest of the trip. It’s been many years since I last visited Canada, but the book brought my previous trips to mind. I look forward to another visit to Canada some day when the borders are back open and it’s safe for all. It took me a long time and lots of research to figure out what to enjoy for my fake trip, but I’m happy with the choices I ultimately made.
By Kate McDevitt5 years ago in Wander
Language Labors
I was 21 years old and off for an unforgettable experience, a mission trip for my church across the world to the tiny country of Lithuania. I spent two months prior to traveling there learning and practicing the beautiful language. I was told that Lithuanian is one of the hardest languages to learn. I am not sure if that is accurate, but I know from experience it was difficult. I thought I was doing pretty well though, that is until I left the airport. The first time I tried to speak to a Lithuanian it was clear I had miles and miles to go. There is nothing quite like being surrounded by people you can’t understand and who can’t understand you.
By Viltinga Rasytoja5 years ago in Wander
A Quest for Oceanic Nomadhood
In the next 4 years, I hope you will find us living on a catamaran, sailing around the world. For our family, boating, and water in general, is a central focus of our lives. My husband is the navigator, mechanic and engineer. I am the scientist and web writer, the teacher and the curator of wonder for my 9- and 7-year-old boys. While we have big dreams, we are still saving for a boat and building a content product that we can create that narrates our journey by way of our biggest passions.
By Penny Fuller5 years ago in Wander
