(Zoom in on the lower marker to find three objects found in the same store.) In Nemba, my morning routine consists of waking up in the farmhouse, cooking breakfast with the eleven other members of the Fuji 2017 Summer Program, and walking outside to meet our professors at the Fujisan Club Building. As I walk […]
Performance of Rituals: Evolution of Tradition
Four days ago, twelve undergraduates (myself included) moved into a thatch-roofed house with sprawling tatami mats and no air conditioning. When we return from our fieldwork or lectures, we trip over ourselves trying to follow the traditions and customs that come with the house: taking off our shoes in the entryway, sharing the bathwater, cooking […]
Shrinking and Growing the Mountain
As I travel in Japan, I am constantly regaled with the silhouette of a steeply sloped mountain that is now iconic around the world. Mt. Fuji, the focus of our summer research, is everywhere from the horizon to the konbini (convenience store). Throughout my experiences, I’ve noticed the miniaturization of the mountain, its internationally situated […]
Reflecting Back
I am writing my final post on my flight back home after having landed in Atlanta with a short layover. Being back in the United States, even just in the airport, was pretty startling. I found myself instinctively speaking in Spanish, saying “hola” and “permiso” to all the TSA agents and customs officers. I will […]
Visiting Trinidad
Last weekend, we took a trip too the small town of Trinidad, passing through the town of Santa Clara. Trinidad is located relatively in the middle of Cuba’s southern coast. It has beautiful scenery and it nestled surrounded by mountains and forest. Our trip started off with a 9 am bus ride from Havana. We […]