A Chicago-based travel and lifestyle brand
UPDATE: Due to COVID-19, the Blind Alley Racoon Cafe closed its doors for good. All the raccoons in the cafe have been taken to a safe zoo where they can live out the rest of their days in peace. If you’d like to visit a unique animal cafe, check out the Meerkat and Friends Cafe […] Read more…
On today’s guest post, I’m super excited to feature my dear friend, Jaclyn Crawford. In high school, we played badminton, sang our favorite High School Musical songs at practice, and talked about our dreams. I remember Skyping her when she was studying abroad in 2012 and I thought, “She’s living on the other side of the […] Read more…
So you wanna travel Japan to see samurai, geishas, and funky style in Tokyo? Maybe you’ve heard about all the advanced technology and want to try authentic sushi? Japan is an awesome country to travel (or live), but you can’t just bust in, guns blaring, and expect Japanese culture to bend to your whim. You […] Read more…
Today, I am very proud to feature Izzy from The Next Somewhere. Izzy has an amazingly sweet disposition and a beautiful way with words. Her prose sucks you in and her compelling way of telling us her life experiences will keep you glued until the end. On my blog, I’m a big fan of keeping […] Read more…
I’m just gonna come out and say it. I’m an attractive foreigner in Korea. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and this beholder just happens to like the girl who stares back in the mirror much more than she did when she lived in Okinawa. When I lived in Japan, I experienced a […] Read more…
I still hear the beating of the drums, the Eisa cries, and whistling in the distance. Sweat trickles down my back as I pull a purple fan with sakura out of my obi. I tuck my side-swept bangs back in their place as I sip an ice cold Orion beer. I see my friends next to […] Read more…
On the trees snow is glistening, lights are sparkling, and the air is alive with enjoyment. Picture cool winds as you wear your favorite parka and stroll Korea’s date spots season by season. Winter has a fantastic way of doing damage to our skin, hair, and morale, but the best part of living in Korea […] Read more…
This week’s guest post comes from my handsome successor, Nick, who took my place in Okinawa. He’s doing what I should have done when I first moved—properly documenting his experiences and giving advice on his travels. Nick once lived in Spain and he gives his input on which country is better livability-wise. I’ve only […] Read more…
Korea has an enormous couple culture. It’s all about your significant other in Korea. There’s matching couple outfits, shoes, couple apps, rings, and the list goes on and on. You can get couple rings whenever, but the 100 day mark is when many couples decide to take the leap and get one. When you’ve weathered […] Read more…
Applying to teach abroad may be a daunting task. If you’re looking for the easy way to come over, programs like Interac or working at Eikaiwas in Japan sound good for the most part. If you’re considering Korea, you might go the Hagwon route, but know that not all Hagwons are created equal. Like all […] Read more…
Japan is very prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, tsunamis, and typhoons. While most of us in affected areas keep calm like the Japanese do, we still need to be prepared. Okinawa is very typhoon prone and I know a few things about coasting through them gracefully. Luckily, the buildings in Okinawa are made of concrete and built […] Read more…
Let’s get down to the nitty gritty shall we? Japan lacks proper insulation. Some of us may come from colder climates (like me, who comes from Chicago and our winters are no joke) so we think, “I’m a trooper! I’ll be fine.” No, really, it’s not a joke. I have JET friends in Hokkaido who keep […] Read more…
