Archive for the ‘Life in the World’ Category
Creativity and education across cultures
In previous posts about education across cultures, it’s been noted that one of the traditional strengths of the American system is that it promotes creativity and individual initiative. What is interesting now, though, is that other countries are trying to replicate this U.S. model at the very time that Americans are going in the opposite direction.
Great cities for food lovers
One of the best ways to experience a country’s culture is to eat its food. And, of course, explore its food markets. Gadling recently decided to come up with a list of 20 of the world’s greatest food cities that are not named Paris or New York. It’s a diverse and interesting group, stretching from Australia to Argentina and from Italy to India.
Chinese education, American education
There are many differences in the educational systems of various countries. One of the largest gaps is between the Western and Asian styles of teaching and learning. Those differences were on display again in a recent story about Chinese guest teachers in the United States.
Barbecue traditions around the world
Did you know that some of the best barbecue traditions in the world are found in countries close to the equator? Or that some Moroccans like to put garlic and parsely into sheep spleen before grilling? Or that Columbians may encrust a tenderloin with a pound of salt?
Unlearning conformity in Egypt
It’s common throughout the Middle East, Asia, and some other regions of the world for a culture to value conformity over individualism, and memorization over creativity in education. This topic is covered in a recent article I came across, which discusses how the educational style at the American University in Cairo differs significantly from the typical Egyptian classroom.
How geography can become destiny
How much influence does geography have on a nation’s culture? Quite a bit, actually, and not only for the reasons you might initially consider…While pivoting off the current Greek debt crisis, he suggests that Greece’s geography has, in many ways, determined its destiny.
What are the best destinations for wine drinkers?
Now, here is a nice collection for your bucket list. If you enjoy wine, that is. The staff of Gadling recently produced a list of the 25 best cities in the world for drinking wine. It includes some of the more obvious destinations in Italy, France and California, as well as some not as well known sites [...]
If you like architecture, here are some cities for you
Architecture is fascinating, particularly as you make your way around the world and take in the shapes, colors and functions of buildings in different cultures. A great thing to remember as you travel, in fact, is to look up periodically and to absorb the details of the buildings around you. The architecture of our lives [...]
Dreams of Cascadia
Ever heard of Cascadia? Or Ecotopia? This is the geographical and cultural region – both real and mythical at the same time, it seems – that stretches from the Pacific Northwest up through British Columbia and includes such cities as Seattle, Portland and Vancouver. The NY Times recently published a story on the region. And, [...]
Ways to keep the Olympics buzz going
So the Winter Olympics are over. After two weeks of marveling at the physical feats of some of the world’s best athletes, it’s time to say goodbye to the skiers, snowboarders, speedskaters and bobsledders for another four years. Unless, that is, you happen to take in some World Cup or X-Games competitions. But fear not, for [...]
A love affair with France and French cuisine
Maybe you’ve seen the movie Julie and Julia, or have even actually tried Mastering the Art of French Cooking. But have you ever considered moving to France in order to learn how to cook French cuisine? Lynda Balslev did just that one day, in search of adventure and on an unexplainable whim. And so began what [...]
Are Costa Ricans the happiest people in the world?
That’s the opinion of a number of studies, all recently quoted by NY Times columnist Nicholas Kristof in an interesting piece that explores some of the possible reasons for why Costa Ricans are generally pretty content with their lives.
One reason, of course, may be the luck of their geography.
Maybe Costa Rican contentment has something to do with the chance to [...]
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Bob Riel is a writer and a traveler. Go here to read more about Bob, his work and the Travels in the Riel World blog.
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My travel memoir - Two Laps Around the World: Tales and Insights from a Life Sabbatical - is about two round-the-world journeys with my wife.
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