Day 1 Akihabara

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Nerd Central After landing and getting settled in Tokyo the previous evening, we head over to a familiar place, Akihabara, where I stayed for a week in 2015. Other than the billboards and the merchandise, things haven’t changed much.  Capsule Toys everywhere! And these robot guides are pretty common. I think this video wasRead more

Arrival in Shanghai

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A new friend, Pete, picked me up at the airport and helped me locate my place. I had booked this on AirBnB, and while the location was great, and the photos made the place look amazing, in reality it was a pretty run-down building. A former hotel (the Salvo Hotel), it was now under aRead more

Lotus Pond Wholesale Market

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Out for a stole one day in Chengdu, I came upon an art class in session           Near Jing’s apartment, this businessman claims to do it all: bike repair, locksmith, welding, mechanical work, etc. This guy sells water. It’s amazing how packed the the streets are with small businesses in China. Walmart andRead more

Lijiang Streets

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My remaining hours in Old Lijiang were spent hopping from shop to shop, snacking and buying some last-minute gifts. I can see why, through all the Chinese people I have met over the years, why Lijiang Old Town is often mentioned as a favorite travel spot. Its endless maze of unique and character-rich shops, streetsRead more

Alleys of Lijiang Ancient Town

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Another full day in Lijiang broguht me the realization that I could spend weeks photographing here. Every twist and turn uncovered a mix of multiple cultures, their art, their lifestyles, languages, and their welcoming to this village. I could have snapped megapixels of everything I saw while I was there, everything that astounded me, butRead more

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