This morning's event only required our pastor, so most of the rest of the team used the chance to sleep in and do some exploring.
Read MoreAfter a cheerful breakfast at Denny's, we set off for a large Buddhist temple popular with tourists. It was interesting to see all the commerce surrounding the temple and how multi-sensory the experience could be: incense, things to shake or bang, and the vivid colors of paintings and robes as you neared the central room, where they were concluding some sort of ceremony or service.
Read MoreSo far, one of my favorite things about Tokyo is the toilet music. I first noticed it at airport - a button with musical notes, labeled "privacy" - one of many ways you can customize your toilet experience. Today I saw one that played Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata and had a seat warmer (!!).
Read MoreMy first visit to Tokyo began with some unexpected excitement. A few hours into the flight, I started feeling cold despite my sweatshirt and a blanket, so decided to find the robe I packed. Unfortunately, in my groping, I hit the new blade on my razor just right and took a nick out of my right index fingertip.
Read MoreI took the night train to Berlin, sharing a compartment of 6 beds (3 on each wall) with men and women. I didn't sleep more than about three hours. The day did not improve on that start, between a chilly rain, pickpockets and a firsthand look at one of mankind's darkest eras.
Read MoreI spent yesterday in Eindhoven and Helmond, neighboring towns in the eastern part of the Netherlands, where I wanted to see an exhibit by Yinka Shonibare, MBE. Perhaps my favorite living artist, he works in multiple media and frequently uses these incredible Dutch wax fabrics.
Read MoreToday we continued the trip west into Alsatian France, driving through the Black Forest to meet my brother's and my college Sunday school teachers. Thanks to email, the husband has remained a bit of a spiritual father to me.
Read MoreAfter taking a night train to Vienna, I came to the home of a long-time friend from my New York days, with whom I'm staying until Friday morning
Read MoreI had a fun, full 10 hours in Krakow yesterday (mostly the old town), but it was not without some drama.
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