Out on the road, it is sometimes hard to make the traditions that you grew up with come to life. I know that in Japan, for instance, it can be hard to find a turkey for Thanksgiving—but even if you can, try locating an oven of sufficient size to accommodate a 16 pounder (or even 10 for that matter). So, there have been years when I have had to go without.

Those of you who didn’t experience Thanksgiving as a kid, probably are scratching your head and saying: “what’s the big deal?” but those of us who have sampled the stuffing, gnawed on the wishbone, pan-cooked and poured out the giblets, dipped into the yams, and forked up some pumpkin pie, know exactly where I’m coming from.

—tjmHolden

Another thing that I found cool in Korea was this:

Can you figure out what it is? . . .

—tjmHolden

Where I come from, I never see this:

Japan or America—even in Europe where I’ve spent considerable time—cars don’t take one another on, in this way:

Something I hadn’t expected from Korea: a free-for-all, whoever comes first, however they can get in that space, fit their frame in, they’re welcome to it.

Don’t fuss over turning around; just wedge yourself in, exit, key the lock, get on with your business.

Reminding me of one of peripatacity‘s basic rules: never carry expectations when you travel.

—tjmHolden

Walking along the edge of the city, you stumble upon a quiescent river, nestled within a squat ravine. And bisecting the grey waters of the interior, a line of dots.

Two lines, in fact, enabling figures to pass in opposing directions.

And despite the danger of walking across precarious squares set in water, figures frequently pass from one side to the next. Saving time. Shaving kilometers off their journey from one end of town to another. Taking their chances with nature, with life.

—tjmHolden

Walking around the streets of Daejeon recently, I was struck by this promotional still.

It was outside a motel, and, judging from how TV and movie stills adorned nearly every stay-for-pay in the neighborhood, I interpreted this as a strategy for advertising the paid channels featured in this particular establishment.

The reason I took the photo, however, was not to document the local strategy for scoring motel occupancy; rather, it was due to the content in this particular still. A man, a woman, an apple . . . a knowing wink. Hm . . . why does this combination ring a bell?

—tjmHolden

If you don’t believe me, watch this.

—tjmHolden