Yanocchi

My father trekked here when he was younger and I want to go back with him since a love of mountain climbing is something we share. When I talked to him about it he said he’d love to go back… once we could do it without getting shot.

I’ve been thinking about Israel, and why I haven’t gone even though I’ve had the opportunity to go before. I decided it’s because it’s such an important trip, such an important place, that I can’t “just go.” I have to be prepared emotionally and spiritually for the trip. If it was just for the cultural value, it wouldn’t be as hard for me to get the courage to go. But I feel like I’ll be standing in front of God, in front of all the Jewish people, and I want to be sure that I’m prepared for that.

It really would be a scary trip…...

Cabo is Cabo: disgustingly touristy. I visited during spring break so it was even more touristy than usual (though what’s usual there, I’ll never know.)

But the food is beyond belief, and if you’re willing to go off the beaten path you’ll have a blast. If you want to go to Cabo for clubs and such, ask somebody else…

Ask every person you come into contact with where you should eat or visit. The cab driver, the bellboy, EVERYBODY. Head to the outskirts and the smaller towns around Cabo and (carefully) wander the back streets. Fresh fruit, hand made breads and candies, not to mention the most amazing seafood. Try the little stalls. All wonderful.

I read about this in Natl Geo, about how they voted to name a place Shangri-La and turn it into a paradise. I don’t like the idea of a real village being demolished and turned into a tourist trap, but at the same time it’s such a romantic idea, to visit paradise…

They said in the article that it would take years to build up the “paradise,” so I’m wondering if I should hurry there and see it as it is now, before it gets developed, or after, once it becomes paradise.

My dad used to climb there all the time. He always says he wished he could have gone back, but he hasn’t yet. I’d like to go with him…

You’re Jewish. You go to Israel. That’s how it works.

Most of my family is from Russia. I feel I owe it to them to go back and see it. (My parents were born in the US, but my grandparents came from Europe.)

I did a homestay on Ishigaki Island in the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa. It’s the southernmost area of Japan. The islands are gorgeous, the people are friendly and the reefs are great. I’ve been trying to get back ever since I left.

If you’re ever in that neck of the woods, visit Amondo cafe and have the Tanuki pastry, and try Okinawan ramen at Tora Ramen across the street from the Hotel Nikkei Yaeyama. (That’s my neighborhood! I lived over the camera shop!) Above all, go diving with the Manta diving company run by the Sonoda family. Oh, and visit the squirrel monkey park. They named one after me!