Category Archives: Human Nature

Some of Us Need a Break

Posted on November 23, 2017 by findingfoodfluency

Because even employees need a break sometimes. Still, a Taiwanese dream must be second to none.

Posted in East & Southeast Asia, Human Nature | Tagged Century 21, rest, sleep, Taipei, taiwan, Thanksgiving | Leave a comment

Taiwan, ever UNinvited

Posted on August 12, 2017 by findingfoodfluency

Taiwan, or the Republic of China had served as the sole representative of “China” since the founding of the United Nations in 1945. They were finally expelled in favor of growing international support for the mainland, or the People’s Republic … Continue reading →

Posted in East & Southeast Asia, Human Nature | Tagged advertisement, airport, China, government, People's Republic of China, Republic of China, Taibei, Taipei, taiwan, U.N., United Nations | 1 Comment

But Did You Know That I’d Lose My Wallet?: The Japan Edition

Posted on July 16, 2017 by findingfoodfluency

Coincidentally, I did lose my wallet during my first trip to Japan. The details are rather fuzzy – it happened in 2000 – but it did shock me that it happened in a country known for actually having rather full … Continue reading →

Posted in East & Southeast Asia, Human Nature, Japan | Tagged department store, fortune telling, Japan, japanese, Lake Biwa, Shiga prefecture, Signs, weird, Zeze | Leave a comment

Idiosyncratic Indonesia

Posted on July 7, 2016 by findingfoodfluency

Oh, looks like we’ve been down this alliterative avenue before. However, this time, we’ll paint Indonesia in a more playful light. I’ve gathered three photos that have amused me since coming across their subjects in Java last year…although one of those … Continue reading →

Posted in East & Southeast Asia, Food & Drink, Human Nature, Indonesia, Languages | Tagged air freshener, credit card, durian, Indonesia, Jakarta, Java, remote control, Solo, Southeast Asia, weird | 1 Comment

Study Chinese, Learn English: Signs in China

Posted on April 26, 2016 by findingfoodfluency

Where’s a mirror when you need one? Whether or not you’ve visited China, you may have seen photos from that part of the world. Half of the time, the photos might be of pollution – in which case, have fun … Continue reading →

Posted in China & Hong Kong, East & Southeast Asia, Hotels, Human Nature | Tagged backwards, China, Chinese, English, Engrish, hotel, language, mirror, Shenzhen, sign, writing | Leave a comment

Poison Bakery, Busan, South Korea

Posted on December 14, 2015 by findingfoodfluency

During my last visit to Japan, I had poisonous fish…that was the title of an earlier blog post. Somehow, today’s entry harks back to that, in spite of this one taking place in the country on the other side of … Continue reading →

Posted in East & Southeast Asia, Food & Drink, Human Nature, Languages | Tagged bakery, bread, Busan, food, japanese, poison, Pusan, Republic of Korea, Signs, South Korea, weird | 1 Comment

A Venezuelan VIP: Very Important Petroleum

Posted on November 24, 2015 by findingfoodfluency

No more than five minutes after checking into my hotel in Caracas, Venezuela did I encounter this (hopefully) fanciful playground. To give the designers’ – was one of them Señor Biv? – some credit, the most realistic aspect of it … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Nature, South America | Tagged Caracas, child, oil, petrol, petroleum, playground, Venezuela, weird | Leave a comment

A Tale of Two Consular Offices, with a Bonus

Posted on November 21, 2015 by findingfoodfluency

One of my favorite streets in Jakarta seems to have other fans in Manhattan too:Ironically, it was at the Consulate of Indonesia where I was able to test out the latest in household minivanization. On unpredictable Fridays and Saturdays throughout … Continue reading →

Posted in Human Nature, Indonesia, Languages, New York City, South Asia | Tagged Bangladesh, consular office, consulate, Dhaka, embassy, Indonesia, Jakarta, Manhattan, Russia, US, visit, welcome | Leave a comment

Cool It! Shopping Made Too Easy in Tokyo

Posted on October 30, 2015 by findingfoodfluency

Let’s say you pay a visit to one of the brilliant デパ地下 (depachika; department store basement food halls) in Japan but then realize that you also wanted to do some non-edible shopping. Well then, it sounds like you’re not me…but … Continue reading →

Posted in East & Southeast Asia, Food & Drink, Human Nature, Japan, Languages | Tagged coin locker, department store, Japan, Mitsukoshi, Nihombashi, refrigerator, shopping, storage, Tokyo | 4 Comments

Elevators in China: Double-Edged Forks in the Road

Posted on October 13, 2015 by findingfoodfluency

It was a homecoming of sorts. Oh no, not for me…but for all of those from Fuzhou (福州 Fúzhōu), China returning to their roots. Erring on the obvious, aren’t we? Let’s put it another way. To the average New York … Continue reading →