The Dining Traveler Blog: Travel and Food Inspiration

Showing posts with label culture. Show all posts

I visited Shuri Castle for the first time in 2003 when I first lived in Okinawa. It was my first time living abroad and everything look so new and foreign. When I first entered the castle area it was sensory overload with the lacquered details, the women in kimonos, and the men in traditional costumes. Almost Twelve years have passed and I have experienced many exotic destinations in between but I still had the wide-eyed curious look at my most recent visit to Shuri Castle last weekend. Here are my highlights:

Shuri Castle, Okinawa

Getting There: Contrary to Mainland Japan, public transportation outside of Naha (the capital) is quite limited. Therefore, I recommend renting a car. Depending which country you're visiting from, you may need to get a International Driver's License (mandatory for Americans visiting Japan). The positive thing is that parking is affordable at Shuri Castle at 320Yen (around $3), there's even an attendant who offers to park your car in the very tight spaces offered! No car? See the tips from Japan Guide on how to get there.

Exterior Grounds

The Experience: As you enter the castle, you'll see plenty of tourists, mostly from Mainland Japan and some from South Korea. I was surprised that with so many Americans on the island, we only saw a handful of our people. There are women dressed in Kimonos offering tourists to take photos dressed up in Kimonos and the staff throughout the park are dressed in traditional attire, taking you back to the days of the Ryukyu Kingdom in Japan.

Guide at Shuri Castle

Although the exterior of Shuri Castle is free, to get to the good stuff (the castle interior fee is 820Yen (around $8) you have to pay the entrance free. When you walk into the Seiden (the inner palace), you're transported to the golden era of the Ryukyu Kingdom with its lacquered detailed red exterior. When you enter the structures within the Seiden, you are required to take off your shoes (don't forget to have socks or a good pedicure!). They even provide you with a bag to carry your shoes as you tour the grounds.

Tea at Shuri Castle

A must-do experience at Shuri Castle in Okinawa is tea in the castle grounds. The tea room was remodeled to reflect how the kings at the time would entertain their guests. In the tea service you can see the merge of Chinese and Japanese culture (Okinawa had also Chinese occupation centuries ago) in its offerings: Chinese tea and egg based Japanese cookies. Our favorite were the sesame paste cookies, delicious. The kimono clad staff explains (mostly in Japanese) the tea ceremony, thankfully there's a booklet in English explaining the menu and the history behind the cookies served.

The Tea Room at Shuri Castle

We continued to explore the displays of art, artifacts, and sculptures around the Seiden grounds. It is interesting to see how the castle has been reconstructed to look exactly like the times of the Ryukyu Kingdom centuries ago given that it was destroyed during WWII. The reconstruction began in 1992 and in 2000 it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the 11th in Japan.

Dining Traveler at Shuri Castle

The Verdict: We concluded our visit with a walk around the external gardens of the castle at the Ryutan lake and Enkanchi which was peaceful and serene with the calm waters, the large koi fish swimming in the lake and the ancient trees which line the grounds. Perfect place to end as the castle area can be quite busy with so many tourists. Shuri Castle is a must see for anyone visiting or living in Okinawa, especially if you love design and history.

For more information about Shurijo Castle, visit the official website.

As the opening activity at TBEX Travel Blogger conference in Cancun, we were welcomed with the "Xcaret Mexico Espectacular" show at Xcaret Park. Xcaret is a huge theme park located in the Riviera Maya south of Cancun. As we entered the park, we were a little apprehensive since it seemed a little too touristy with its rows of tour buses, large gift shop, and the scent of popcorn. As we were seated in the stadium-like venue, we did not know what to expect.

Soon, the lights dimmed and we were taken into quite the show. I have always been fascinated by Mexican culture as I find it so diverse and rich in history. The Mexico Espectacular show gave the audience a glimpse into this rich history, from pre-Hispanic times to modern-day song and dance. The show includes more than 300 actors and costumes ranging from the indigenous Mayan dress to the modern day Mariachi.

The show began with a traditional Mayan ball game, with players making moves almost synonymous to modern day soccer. After various scenes of indigenous games, the show transitions into the arrival of the Spaniards, depicting the war between the Indians and the Spanish to the subsequent conquest of the land and conversion to Catholicism. This part of show is marked with the symbolic scene of the beheading of indigenous gods being replaced by crosses.

From there, the show moved to different music, costumes, and songs from the diverse states of Mexico. It enchanted us with the beautiful white dresses of Veracruz and it got us up and dancing to the nortenas of Chihuahua. Every costume was beautifully made with an amazing amount of detail. All of the dancers brought a genuine energy to the stage.

For those who are fans of culture, as I am, I highly recommend this show during your stay in the Riviera Maya. The show also has a dinner option, which is what we had with the TBEX group with a delicious three course menu. We enjoyed a corn soup, a chicken with green salsa, and flan for dessert. Afterwards, we had lovely margaritas in the beautiful hacienda courtyard. It was the perfect way to start our adventure in Mexico.

Disclaimer: This trip was a sponsored trip by Xcaret via TBEX Travel Blogger Conference. As always, I only write about things I love! post signature

After two weddings in two continents, I'll admit I am short on vacation days and funds for another transatlantic journey. While we decide on our next destination, I will not only discover what lies on a 100 mile radius of Washington, DC but also discover different cultures. This is quite easy with all the cultural events DC has to offer. Sometimes we become too fixated on getting on a plane to experience something different. The reality is there is much to discover from other cultures right in this city.

Embassy of the Kingdom of The Netherlands

This past weekend, the EU Open House took place. The Delegation of the European Union to the United States and the Embassies of 28 EU Member States to the United States open their doors to the Washington public during the EU Embassies’ Open House Day. This annual event is the highlight of the Washington May calendar and is celebrated during Europe Week.

Making Poffertjes in Delft Blue Apron

With a large domestic agenda at the van Dop household (which consisted braving 95 South on a Saturday to go to IKEA) we only had time to visit one embassy. Family bias took us to the Embassy of the Netherlands, the homeland of my beloved. Not only is my husband from Rotterdam, I have many special memories of my border crossings from Belgium to The Netherlands visiting good friends and biking around the canals in Amsterdam with friends.

Poffertjes with sugar and butter

The Dutchman as any expat wants to keep close ties with his countrymen while in the US and the visit to the Embassy gave us both a great feeling of what the Dutch are doing in DC. The weekend prior, we went to The Netherlands Carillon to observe a moment of silence in remembrance of the liberation of the country during World War II hosted by the Embassy. This Saturday, we were welcomed with the same hospitality we received last week and during all my prior trips to the country.

Kaas!

As soon as we arrived, we were welcomed with my favorite Dutch product (after my husband), kaas (cheese). I must admit kaas is one of the first words I learned in Dutch. We got to sample my favorite cheese, Old Amsterdam and other favorites such as young Gouda and cumin cheese. We followed on to the beer room, where we sipped Heineken and a watched a screening about of another popular Dutch Export: DJ's such as Afrojack and Tiesto.

Poffertjes in the Making

We walked around the embassy and got to see all the presentations from Aruba Tourism to a woman in the traditional Dutch costume next to the main Dutch mode of transportation: a bike with Delft blue storage bags. We ended our tour with yummy Poffertjes (mini pancakes) with butter. I remember my first time having them late night in Rotterdam, it's a tasty underrated treat.

In my Dutch Shoes

Unfortunately, I cannot hop on my car and cross the border into The Netherlands anymore and there are times my husband misses home, but it's great to have these moments where you can be transported to another culture without having to leave your city. I am certain this will be the first of many EU Open House days we will be visiting.

If you would have asked me January 2012 if I saw myself returning to the United States permanently this fall, I would have accused you of being crazy. Then in October 21nd of this year, I would have retracted such awful accusation as I boarded a plane to Washington, DC in order to begin my new life back in the United States. When I arrived in Brussels in 2006, I told everyone I knew: "I will do my masters and go back home". I ended up staying in Europe for six years. Lesson learned: it doesn't matter how much we plan or foresee the future, sometimes life has a way of steering you in a different direction. Last year, I dabbled with the idea to returning to the US, but life had taken me on a different course. Like we say in the Marine Corps, "never fall in love with your plan".
In 2012, I was fortunate enough to travel quite a bit throughout Europe. It was great because I can't fly for 99 Euros to Barcelona anymore! There were so many beautiful places and things I experienced that it is difficult to place it all in one post. I was fortunate to see the sun set in Alhambra Spain, rode a bike alongside the Wisla river in Krakow, Poland, and sampled delicious wines on the rolling hills of Styria, Austria. All of these experiences were more valuable as I experienced them with friends. I experienced a road trip from Brussels to Austria with two lovely women with conversations ranging from relationships to microfinance. A magical trip to Poland with a friend who although we don’t have the same social/political views, I hold him very close to my heart. Experiencing the feeling of falling in love in The Hague in Holland.
I also was able to create new memories in old places. A late night bonding with Flor de Caña rum, old friends, and Santiago’s guitar and Ariana’s voice in Madrid. Being told “I love you” for in Gare du Nord in Paris. Having my life changed by meeting the man I love on a drunken night at place du Chatelain. Bidding a sad farewell to my friends I love so much in Brussels. Making pierogies with my friends around a Polish table in Brussels. There is not enough space on this post to describe all the love manifested in 2012.
This year was also one of letting go. Letting go of the thought that some things and people can live on forever. Seeing my niece battle death and winning. Accepting the fact my dad is slowly leaving this earth. Seeing the wars dwindling down which inspired me to live my life to its fullest. Being myself. When others mocked me for my optimism in love, I chose to keep my heart open. I chose not to change just because others had told me so but to have faith there is someone out there who can reciprocate all the love I have to give. In the most unexpected of situations, the love I always wanted manifested despite all the changes surrounding my life.
I ran my two worst marathons this year. One in Madrid and another in Munich. Although the experience was tough and finishing times were disappointing, it was a lesson in resilience. It’s not about winning or losing, but the fact I was there. In both races, I had friends who believed in me waiting at the finish line. In my opinion, having the people who love you waiting for you at the end, no matter how rough you look or how long it takes you to get there, is the most beautiful thing. In 2013 I wish that you also have people you love waiting for you at the finish line. I wish you health, love, success, laughter, and happiness.

My madrileño friend David asked me to write on this blog comparisons between new and old world. Before moving to Belgium, I always walked on the line of American and Latino due to my upbringing both in Puerto Rico and Upstate New York. Six years and total European assimilation later, my views have become tridimensional. This is where the term 'Ameurorican' comes from.
I have to start the series discussing the holiday season. Growing up in Puerto Rico, the holiday seemed all about food and decorations. My dad killed and roasted full sized pigs in our backyard. My mom and aunts made tasty pasteles to share throughout the season. The "parrandas" (friends who come to your home playing live christmas music in the middle of the night) were always fun. We set the tree on thanksgiving evening and took it down sometime mid January after Three Kings Day. We wrapped the palm trees which hugged our home in Christmas lights.
During my high school and college years in Upstate NY, I wrestled my brother in the snow and ice skated with my friends downtown. We shoveled snow some new year mornings and had big Christmas parties with my family. So big, we organized a secret Santa. On Christmas day, my dad plays his guitar and sings parranda songs from Puerto Rico.

My parents bringing PuertoRican flavor to Upstate NY Christmas

In Belgium and Germany I fell in love with the Christmas markets. I loved how the Schloßplatz in Stuttgart came alive with little wooden huts filled with food, nutcrackers, and wooden gifts. I can vividly recall the smells of Gluhwein and bratwurst mixed in the crisp cold air of the Schawben Valley. In Brussels, I loved the market in Saint Catherine, with pieces of all the cultures: warm kriek next to oysters and champagne followed by paella.

Manneken Pis all dressed up...

All these memories I hold very dear. That is why I can't accept what I have come to see this holiday season in the US. I arrived October 22nd to find Christmas decorations in shops. What I found even more appalling is the fact stores opened on thanksgiving night. Some of my relatives had to cut their holiday short as they work in retail. I always found Black Friday ludicrous, but this thanksgiving shopping unsettled me. Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday as it is about giving thanks and sharing a meal with family. If there is a shopping activity I'm going to indulge on, it will be cyber Monday. All the low prices from the comfort of my own home.
As I reflect on my holiday memories whether it is in the new or old world, I reflect on the intangible things shared above, not on the material gifts received. I don't remember what I got for Christmas when I was a kid (or 2009 for that matter) but I remember singing Jingle Bells in Spanish with my Aunt Lucy when I was 10, getting body slammed into the snow by my brother at the age of 16, getting tipsy with Gluhwein at the Köln Christmas Market with my best friend Jaime in 2010. I relish beautiful memories which did not involved leaving my friends and family mid thanksgiving to buy presents. Those moments of simple laughter with the ones you love are truly priceless.
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Exploring Shuri Castle in Okinawa, Japan

Mexican Espectacular Show at Xcaret Park

Virtual Travel: An afternoon in the Netherlands

Year in Changes

Ameurorican Analysis Part I