http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner en-us Mon, 23 Nov 2009 12:34:46 -0700 Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:49:00 -0700 BlogCFC http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m11d12-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-6?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner It was with great anticipation that I boarded the bus to Da Nang.  I had read about the city in a couple of memoirs by Vietnam veterans, as well as heard a bit about it from my father who had been stationed there during the war.  Although I... International Travel Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:49:00 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m11d12-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-6?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m10d22-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-5?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Nha Trang, VietnamFollowing our tour of the Mekong Delta, it was decided that my friends and I, along with three of my friend’s cousins, would travel north, stopping first in Nha Trang, a coastal city located about six hours by bus outside of S... International Travel Thu, 22 Oct 2009 13:49:16 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m10d22-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-5?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m10d12-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-4?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Mekong River Delta, VietnamContinuing on our lightening tour of southern Vietnam, we left my friend’s cousins’ house for Saigon, eager to depart the following day on our two-day tour of the Mekong River Delta.  At only 25 USD, the to... International Travel Mon, 12 Oct 2009 17:28:35 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m10d12-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-4?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d23-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-3?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Our three hour bus ride out of Saigon put us into the Dinh Quan District around midnight.  Not having had been informed of any of the specifics of our itinerary, I was surprised when the bus dropped us off at our final destination: a gas station... International Travel Wed, 23 Sep 2009 18:56:13 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d23-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-3?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d17-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-2?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Our approach into Saigon airport at 10:45 pm was perhaps more entertaining than it should have been.  Thunderstorms to the west lit the sky at ten second intervals, offering a free light show just as the in-flight televisions were turned off for... International Travel Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:43:17 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d17-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-2?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d14-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-1?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Children waiving to my tour group in the Mekong DeltaFresh back from my three week trip to Vietnam, jet lagged and cold for the first time in weeks, I sit to write about my first visit to Asia.  Southeast Asia had always been a destination of in... International Travel Mon, 14 Sep 2009 17:36:23 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m9d14-Three-weeks-in-Vietnam-Part-1?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d11-Laura-Pausini-comes-to-America-for-World-Tour-2009?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner As part of her Primavera In Anticipo World Tour 2009, Laura Pausini will be coming to select American cities in September and October of this year. With songs recorded in five languages (Italian, Spanish, English, French and Portuguese), Laura i... Tue, 11 Aug 2009 23:12:43 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d11-Laura-Pausini-comes-to-America-for-World-Tour-2009?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Europes-shopping-districts?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner I have always had a special affinity for shopping districts, and it goes beyond the consumer impulse and the cheap thrill of a purchase.  For me it is more the process than the end result.  It’s not the new pair of blue jeans or DVD t... Thu, 06 Aug 2009 19:50:10 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m8d6-Europes-shopping-districts?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d17-A-culture-of-bilingualism?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner  Gorliz, Spain. "Welcome" listed in Basque, Spanish and English.After having met several dozens of Europeans – first at a Spanish language school in Costa Rica and later in Europe – I continue to be impressed by the number ... Fri, 17 Jul 2009 01:36:25 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d17-A-culture-of-bilingualism?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d9-Travel-mementos-Reconstructing-the-past?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Photo taken from stock.xchngPeople like to collect mementos of their journeys: rocks and sand dollars from the beach, souvenirs from gift shops and pictures taken every step of the way.  We like having proof to corroborate what our mind often ti... Thu, 09 Jul 2009 21:32:46 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d9-Travel-mementos-Reconstructing-the-past?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d5-The-Spanish-siesta?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Before my trip to Spain earlier this year I had heard rumors of the Spanish siesta, an approximately three hour gap – extending from about 2:00pm to 5:00pm – during which businesses shut down and people took siestas (naps).  I was of... Sun, 05 Jul 2009 18:20:44 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m7d5-The-Spanish-siesta?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d19-Reflections-on-three-months-in-Europe-Part-2?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Barcelona, SpainOne of the more enjoyable aspects of international travel is the independence it grants you.  It’s easy to get wrapped up in day-to-day life, whether that means the monotony of a 9-5 job, school work or even the same after-... Fri, 19 Jun 2009 14:06:52 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d19-Reflections-on-three-months-in-Europe-Part-2?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Reflections-on-three-months-in-Europe-Part-1?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Travelling abroad can be an exciting opportunity to meet new people, learn about other cultures, and gain new perspectives about life and the management of human affairs.  Recently I was fortunate enough to spend twelve weeks in Europe – t... Wed, 17 Jun 2009 01:22:13 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d17-Reflections-on-three-months-in-Europe-Part-1?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d13-Three-days-in-Vienna-Austria?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Vienna, AustriaTo wrap up my three month stay in Europe I departed for Vienna, Austria where I would be for the next few days before my trip back to the states.I had been to Vienna once before (while visiting with my friend Katrina in Slovakia–... International Travel Sat, 13 Jun 2009 10:14:50 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m6d13-Three-days-in-Vienna-Austria?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m5d28-Two-days-in-Istanbul-Turkey-Part-2?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Sultan Ahmed Mosque (Blue Mosque), Istanbul, TurkeyAs I mentioned in my previous article, I spent a great deal of my time in Istanbul walking through the many shops and open markets.  I started my first day with a half-day tour of the city that ... International Travel Thu, 28 May 2009 22:26:17 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m5d28-Two-days-in-Istanbul-Turkey-Part-2?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m5d19-Two-days-in-Istanbul-Turkey-Part-1?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Row of venders outside the Grand BazaarAfter my week of travel through Central and Western Europe (chronicled in my first four articles) and ten weeks volunteering in Spain, I decided I needed to experience something a little different and packed my ... International Travel Tue, 19 May 2009 15:31:14 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m5d19-Two-days-in-Istanbul-Turkey-Part-1?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d29-Sanitation-A-three-country-comparison?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Picture taken from personal collection.As someone that has lived in three different countries I have noticed various customs and cultural quirks of each.  It isn’t surprising that each country would have their own attitudes regarding sanit... Wed, 29 Apr 2009 15:10:47 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d29-Sanitation-A-three-country-comparison?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d22-My-first-trip-to-the-grocery-store-in-Getxo-Spain?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Photo taken from stock.xchngMy first trip to the grocery store in Getxo, Spain, was a pleasant experience.  The grocery store may seem like an unusual place to have a pleasant experience, but it was quite eye opening.  Many of the things I ... Wed, 22 Apr 2009 05:46:53 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d22-My-first-trip-to-the-grocery-store-in-Getxo-Spain?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d18-European-coffee-culture?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner Photo taken from stock.xchngAnyone who has visited Europe will have noticed what is often referred to as the coffee culture. A good example of this is the type of cup you’re given after ordering a coffee.  Order a coffee in virtually ... Sat, 18 Apr 2009 10:43:08 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d18-European-coffee-culture?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d12-Language-identity-and-education-policy-in-Spains-Basque-country-Part-2?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner As I mentioned in Part 1, the language debate taking place in the Basque Country of Spain is more than one about culture versus economy.  The status of Basque as a language is tied closely to Basque nationalism and the fight for sovereignty.&nbs... Sun, 12 Apr 2009 16:46:06 -0700 http://www.examiner.com/x-5226-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner~y2009m4d12-Language-identity-and-education-policy-in-Spains-Basque-country-Part-2?cid=exrss-Portland-Cultural-Travel-Examiner