I did fine and ate a lot during my recent visit, here are a few pointers visitors should know about the cuisine.

Food is not only prepared for flavor, but also sight, sound, and texture. This means food will have a variety of gelatinous forms, soft forms, creamy forms, and blended forms that come in a variety of squirmy, crunchy, slippery, wriggly and slimy. This sounds challenging, but really I am making it sound worse than it is. Most everything was tasty, but never having an overpowering flavor. All these morsels will come with fish, rice and soup (probably miso). As a diner, expect numerous small portions of many different tastes. I had heard it said, that the Japanese believe that every persona should eat 30 different kinds of food at every meal. After nearly a month of meals in Japan, I would have to agree that this is a goal well achieved.

I remember at one point saying to my guide, “I would hate to be a dish washer in a Japanese restaurant.” Not because of the difficulty of cleaning up Japanese food, but due to all the tiny odd-shaped bowls and plates — none of which match. My guide later told me the this is by design. Plates are not meant to match each other. They are meant to match the color and style of the food. So a small green square of tofu might come small sea-foam cup to match the tofu, regardless of what the rest of the dinnerware looks like.

Who: Travel enthusiasts and more than 550 exhibitors

What: The Los Angeles Times Travel and Adventure Show is America’s largest travel expo, comprised of more than 550 exhibitors and thousands of affordable vacation options. Attendees can meet travel experts, attend seminars and workshops, enjoy hands-on activities, see cultural performances and book their next vacation at discounted rates–right on the show floor. Special appearances include:Rick Steves, Pauline and Arthur Frommer, Huell Howser and Zac Sunderland.

When: Saturday, February 13th, 2010
10am – 5pm
8am – 5pm (Trade hours)

Sunday, February 14th, 2010
10am – 5pm

Where: Los Angeles Convention Center, West Hall

Admission: Adults: $10 regular admission / $8 online with promo code “LATPR”
Children 16 and under: FREE

For Further
Information: For details and to purchase tickets, call 1.800.LATIMES, Ext. 7SHOW or go to www.latimes.com/travelshow.

Because I have found Japan so different, but inviting, I wanted to help demystify Japanese culture a little for future travelers — at least a little. I started this with Mysteries Revealed: Bowing in Japan, but realized there is so much more to explore.

However, before we begin, here are some of the basics:
Japan is about the same size as California that is 65% mountains and forest with a population of 127,000,000 people squeezed into rest of the usable, flat land. Tokyo has about 12 million people but the immediate outlining area has about another 30 million, hence the incredible towers and multi-level freeways that fill the Tokyo skyline. This information alone, offers some good insight into Japanese culture. With so many people moving, needing shelter and food, it makes sense why I found efficiency to be a key factor in much of what I saw in Japan

Language
I have been told that Japanese is an easy language to learn because it has a relatively small vocabulary, it is phonetic and all words end in vowels or “n.” However, Japan uses three sets of alphabets. One alphabet uses 47 Japanese characters for original Japanese words. English is used for non-Japanese originated words like computer and email (This helps as many signs and street names are all have some English on them). Chinese is also used. In speaking, there are several variations of “polite” speech, ten words that all mean “I,” a vague grammar system and word gender attributions. I say all this to let you know. Visitors will not quickly pick up language. I suggest learning the basic pleasantries and use them often: good morning, thank you, nice to meet you.

Step 1: Leave your shoes at the door
Most entrances to restaurants, temples, homes and some traditional hotels will require you to take off your shoes. If you are wondering when this is supposed to happen, it will be obvious. Most places will have even rows of one-size-fits-all slippers (which will never fit) waiting for you to scoot around in and a small entry way with some racks for shoes. My advice, consider loafers and clean socks.

Perhaps it was my consciousness of being so fair amidst these honey-skinned women or maybe it was the curves and sway of my Western build versus the narrow hips and small breasts typical of Asian women. Maybe it was the ritual. The bath before the bath, sitting naked on a small stool in neat rows of other women doing the same. But I felt like a stranger in a strange land.

The water was warm and welcoming and it rushed from the faucet filling the small room with rich sounds of falling water. My limbs sunk into the water and to my mind there was no sense of where my body ended and the water began. That heady feeling that steam and warm water brings soon overcame me and I carefully climbed the few steps out of the tub. I left the interior room and stepped outside into the elegantly manicured rock garden.

The air was cold and sharp. But in a few steps, I was again immersed in warm, rushing water. And from the oval, wooden tub, I could see the moon and the big dipper in the sky above me and I as foreign as it all was, I was instantly part of something still and ancient.

After a few minutes of communion, I returned inside to rinse again and dress. That foreign feeling arose again. The Japanese women around me rubbing lotions and creams into their unblemished skin. I rushed into my robe and shook my head as I stuffed my thong and bra into the pocket as I am sure no self-respecting Japanese woman would do. There are things that are so familiar that in an instant can become as foreign as traveling to the stars. The same actions in a different space are not the same at all.

Jenny Block is the author of “Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage” (Seal Hardcover, June 2008 and Seal Paperback, March 2009), which has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. She writes a weekly column for the Dallas Morning News publication Quick called “Sex Talk with Jenny Block” (quickdfw.com). Jenny holds both her BA and her MA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught college composition for nearly ten years. She writes for a wide variety of publications and websites, including huffingtonpost.com, yourtango.com, American Way, Veranda, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Voice, edgedallas.com, literarymama.com, Spirit, chow.com, and ellegirl.com.

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“Bob Marley is one of the foremost proponents of the Jamaican culture. He embodies the spirit and soul of the island,” says John Lynch, Director of Tourism, Jamaica Tourist Board. “In every corner of the world you will find Bob Marley fans and every year thousands of music fans visit Jamaica just to find out more about a true musical icon who offered his great gift to the world. Not a day goes by that Marley is not celebrated in Jamaica.”

All around the world, events will be taking place to celebrate Marley’s work. In Jamaica, a week of activities will take place throughout the island to celebrate the life and achievements of the legendary millennium man the Rt. Hon. Robert Nesta ‘Bob’ Marley, O.M. Activities in Jamaica usually include a service at the Ethiopian Orthodox Church, ceremonial laying of plaques at the Bob Marley Museum in Kingston, an Ital Food Festival and much more.

Visitors to Jamaica can follow the legacy of Marley at anytime by visiting key attractions such as:

Chukka Caribbean Adventure’s Zion Bus Line
This authentic Jamaican Country Bus, the “Zion Bus Line”, will take you on a unique tour from Island Village in Ocho Rios, via Claremont to the birth and final resting place of the King of Reggae, Bob Marley. This pilgrimage has been specifically designed for Reggae enthusiasts and hardcore Bob Marley fans, who would like to visit the “Graceland” of Reggae. Rock to the rhythm of Bob’s greatest hits as your “dreadlocked” driver negotiates the narrow winding country roads to the mountain village of Nine Miles. If you are a baby boomer who was hip to the 60’s & 70’s music of Bob Marley, Peter Tosh and Jimmy Cliff, or if you are now a fan of Shaggy, Sean Kingston and the Dance Hall phenomenon, this is a Reggae experience you can’t miss.

Bob Marley Museum
The museum portrays the life and achievement of the artist with memorabilia, artifacts, writing and photographs. A twenty-minute drive from Norman Manley International Airport (Kingston), Bob Marley’s former place of residence also houses his original studio where he recorded many of his songs. The museum displays Marley’s personal treasures and features a well-equipped 80-seat theatre. You can also tickle your palate with sumptuous meals from the Legend Cafe. The venue allows you to see every aspect of the life of Bob Marley.

About Jamaica Tourist Board
The Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB), founded in 1955, is Jamaica’s national tourism agency based in the capital city of Kingston. The JTB was declared the Caribbean’s Leading Tourist and Convention Bureau by the World Travel Awards (WTA) from 2006 to 2009, while Jamaica earned the WTA’s vote as the World’s Leading Cruise Destination, the Caribbean’s Leading Destination and the Caribbean’s Leading Cruise Destination, also for the third consecutive year.

JTB offices are located in Kingston, Montego Bay, Miami, Toronto and London. Representative offices are located in Düsseldorf, Barcelona, Rome, Amsterdam and Tokyo.

For details on upcoming special events, attractions and accommodations in Jamaica go to the Jamaica Tourist Board’s Web site at www.visitjamaica.com, or call the Jamaica Tourist Board at 1-800-465-2624.

Among the ruins of Byzantine Amman which stand alongside the working modern day city, several contemporary art spaces have emerged. One such gallery, is Darat Al Funan, part of the Khalid Shoman Foundation. A 10 minute stroll away from the Ballad, situated atop one of Amman’s seven hills, in Jebel Luwaibdeh, the space was conceived by the family of Jordan’s Arab Bank founder, Khalid Shoman in 1993. The gallery is a recently restored 1920s house, where a free exhibition of both installation and craft art are on display by several up and coming contemporary Jordanian and Palestinian artists. Like many houses in the Jebel Luweibdeh district, the space had until recently, remained un-restored and derelict. The house was been built on original Byzantine ruins, which are excavated and on display in the gardens. The space is also used by visiting resident artists, and is a world away from the bustle of the city centre. It is only the distant murmur of the city centre that belies the almost utopian setting.

Yet the real gems of the country’s history lie outside Amman. Approximately a one hour’s drive away, are the immaculately well preserved ruins of the Greco-Roman city Jerash. Situated atop a hill in the middle of rural Jordan’s rocky Mediterranean landscape, in high summer, we count approximately five other groups of four or five French and German tourists – in total. As I glide through the shade of the admission office and head up a hill – in the stark sunlight, the ruins appear eerie, as they stand in their splendid almost completely intact glory. A welcome breeze sweeps through the empty plaza. Cobbled streets complete with chariot wheel markings are lined with shop fronts carved into the surrounding rock, manholes dot the roads, further evidence of Jerash’s status as a working, busy metropolis during Roman rule.

Conquered by the Romans in 400 AD, the city continued to blossom until the enormous earthquake of 750 AD which shook much of the Middle East. In its current state, Jerash boasts a 6,000 seater arena, Hadrian’s Arch, two large temples (to Zeus and Artemis), an oval Forum, a long colonnaded street, two theatres (the Large South Theatre and smaller North Theatre), two baths, a scattering of small temples and an almost complete circuit of city walls. Despite the largesse of Jerash’s ruins, it is estimated that nearly 75 per cent of Jordan’s ruins remain unexcavated, an explanation for Jerash’s superb condition. Furthermore, unlike the Forum in Rome or the Acropolis in Greece, there are no queues, nor are there any proximity restrictions. It is not however, recommended to take local guides, as their English skills are often poor and their speeches tend to be difficult to understand. Yet in a place like Jerash, bask in its quiet, and let your mind take you back to the ages of old when Jerash was thriving.

Rather than its richer, oil-bearing Arab neighbours, this year explore Amman and its many surrounding ancient sites for a unique cultural and spiritual indulgence. Meanwhile, beat the queues of other world famous ruins, and let your mind take you back to a time before Western civilization had even been thought of.

Photos by Jacqueline Beach

Jacqueline has a Masters in Global Journalism from the University of Melbourne and is currently working as a copywriter and journalist and is based in Melbourne, Australia. Prior to living in Melbourne, she lived in the UK for 5 years where she attended the University of Kent at Canterbury, and completed a BA Hons in European Studies and French. She spent a year abroad at the University of Avignon in France, which pushed her through the language barrier. Prior to living in the UK, she lived in Switzerland for three years, Singapore for four years and also spent a year in Jordan.

She is fluent in French and German, and in her free time enjoys photography and yoga.

I walked along the outer wall of the massive fortress, looked at the beautifully illuminated fountain “Los Raices” then turned right onto a cobble- stoned narrow street which leads into Old San Juan proper. I was rewarded with peeks into courtyards of the lovingly restored and well kept Spanish style houses and then came upon some shops which luckily were still open.

What caught my attention though was a small shop the display window of which was crammed with Panama hats and nothing else. I thought I could do with one of those, to protect me from rain and future sunshine alike during the rest of my voyage.

When I looked at the price tag on one of the hats I fancied, I nearly fainted. I was 4 figures, I kid you not. As I didn’t know anything about Panama hats, I asked the owner why they are so expensive and got a lesson on the history and making of Panama hats.

They are neither made in nor do they originate from Panama. In many, many hours of painstaking labor, they are woven in Ecuador, in the town of Cuenca. The creme de la creme of hats comes from the town of Montecristi located on Ecuador’s coastal plain.

When the Panama Canal was constructed, the durable hats became all the rage with the workers as well as the gold hunters who went to California. Theodore Roosevelt, on a visit to the Panama Canal, returned to the US wearing one of the hats and the press invented the term “Panama Hat” which stuck.

These hats are collectors items and given the art and craft which goes into creating each single one, the price is no longer a surprise. I thanked the owner for this enlightening lesson which gave me a ‘hat-start’ on Panama hats and left, sans hat!

Inka is German and used to be an international attorney with offices in London and Spain. Retired two years ago because I wanted to be a traveler and writer and now live between Didim/Turkey and Miami with plenty of travel in between. Next destinations: Istanbul, New York and Petra/Jordan. Inka’s first novel has just been published and can be found here

During World War I, the occupying German forces turned the Cathedral into a Lutheran church. When Latvia attained independence in 1921, the Cathedral was returned to the Orthodox faith for the first time. However, along with many other churches, the atheist Soviet regime turned the Cathedral into a secular attraction in the 1960s, converting it into a planetarium. Finally, the Cathedral was restored to the Orthodox faith again, when Latvia regained independence in 1991.

The Cathedral has five outstanding golden cupolas and is about five minutes walk past the Freedom Monument on Brivibas Buvaris. Nearby is a statue of the Commander-in-chief of Russian forces against Napoleon, Barclay de Tolley.

Julian has written articles on Middle Eastern and European architecture for the US magazine Skipping Stones. He has written travel articles that were published in The Toronto Globe and Mail, Fate Magazine, National Catholic Register, and Northwest Travel. Julian has also written articles for the In The Know Traveler, Go Nomad, InTravelmag, and Go World Travel websites. He has also taken many photographs that have appeared in travel guides by National Geographic, Thomas Cook and The Rough Guides. Examples of his work can be found at http://www.photographersdirect.com/sellers/details.asp?portfolio=13734

Landscapes, bridges, monuments and architecture, leave you at the mercy of the sun; they aren’t going to move for you. If the subject happens to be a person or animal, you may get some cooperation in changing the direction in which the lighting strikes them; see if you can place them in the best light.

With objects that cannot be moved, your choices are either, move your position in relation to the scene, or wait for the sun to move its direction. If you’re being guided on a tour, you’re probably going to have to go with the former option. Today’s photo was taken to demonstrate the effects of 90 degree side lighting. The fence is the subject, the bird is a bonus.

On the upright fencepost notice how the grain stands out, more distinctly on the left side, than on the right. This is the point where the sun was at a 90 degree angle to the post. This type lighting, also, gives the most dramatic difference between light and shadows. Had the background in this scene been a forest, rather than the ocean, one side of the trees would be in dark shade, the other side, in bright light.
Use 90 degree lighting when you want to capture the texture of an old wooden barn, building, stone wall fence or bridge. The best times to do this are before 9AM or after 3PM. The lower the sun is in the sky, the more texture you will notice, providing you’re in a position where you use the lighting to your advantage. Experiment and take a few shots with the light at 90 and 45 degrees from your subject. Then, take one with the sun directly behind you. See the difference in the texture and the shadows.
Until next time, Happy Shooting!

A wildlife photographer living in Okinawa, Japan, Mike has been published in Apogee Photo Magazine, Boots N all, Brave New Traveler, Go Nomad, Matador Abroad and Trips, The Nihon Sun, Travel Thru History, The Okinawan , Wend Magazine and Photo Guide Japan. He has recently joined the ranks of travel writers, capturing Nature, Festivals, Castles and Cultural shots of the Ryukyu Islands to share with the world. More of his work may be seen at: http://www.mikesryukyugallery.com/

I stayed at the Abaco Beach Resort which offers hotel room, suites, condos, and boat slips. The marina was quite full when I was there and I liked the feel of that. I went sailing a lot as a kid and as much as I loved being out on the bay, I equally loved the time we spent at local marinas, enjoying the pools, and restaurants, and people.

That was precisely what I found at this resort too. I had a comfy room with bright linens and tile floor and enjoyed walking the property, toasting with other guests at the bar, and eating yummy seafood in their restaurant. Some nights, the staff sing during dinner, which is a real hoot!

I also had the very interesting experience of meeting a family who is away on their boat for a year with their three daughters ages 11 – 15, “home schooling” them as they go from place to place. That was the thing about the Abacos as a whole and that resort in particular. It was filled with the most interesting people, so many of which were eager to share their story.

Jenny Block is the author of “Open: Love, Sex, and Life in an Open Marriage” (Seal Hardcover, June 2008 and Seal Paperback, March 2009), which has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award. She writes a weekly column for the Dallas Morning News publication Quick called “Sex Talk with Jenny Block” (quickdfw.com). Jenny holds both her BA and her MA in English from Virginia Commonwealth University and taught college composition for nearly ten years. She writes for a wide variety of publications and websites, including huffingtonpost.com, yourtango.com, American Way, Veranda, the Dallas Morning News, the Dallas Voice, edgedallas.com, literarymama.com, Spirit, chow.com, and ellegirl.com.