From my latest family trip to the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, Turkey.

TRAVEL DATE: 05/02/09

FROM: Istanbul, TURKEY

Made in China’s oldest functioning thermos factory. All over China, people young and old carry their personal tea thermos like a baby blanky.

Each thermos is still stenciled by hand.

TRAVEL DATE: 07/22/10

FROM: Beijing, CHINA

Sitting in a cafe, on a canal, at sunset, in the Netherlands, eating THE MOST MOBY DICKULOUS COOKIES I HAVE EVER TASTED!!!! #winning

Thin waffles stuck together with caramel…put one on top of your coffee cup and the warmth melts the caramel a bit. #doublewinning

TRAVEL DATE: 07/22/10

FROM: Amsterdam, NETHERLANDS

Warrior (or “Hui Li”) has been China’s sneaker since 1935. One of the most iconic and storied brands of China, Warrior was a wardrobe staple for over 50 years. Today the brand is only worn by school children, laborers, the elderly, and alternative youth in Shanghai and Beijing.

The model below, the “WB-1,” was the first product made by the factory, and the marquee model for the brand. 

The brand began entering Western markets in 2008. Funny, since the brand was constructed for the sport of Sepak Takraw…. what, you’ve never heard of it? Volleyball with no hands? Seriously

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LXmjOMUdsPY

TRAVEL DATE: 07/22/10

FROM: Shanghai, CHINA

After my first trip to Shanghai in August, I learned what “oppressive heat & humidity” truly means. Everything was less fun. One particularly sweltering afternoon, I was walking near the river bank and being attack by bugs.

I saw a young girl selling these: Electric fly swatter— killing mosquitoes had never been so fun, and my frown was turned upside down :)

TRAVEL DATE: 09/19/12

FROM: Shanghai, CHINA

I spent my Halloween in Damascus, Syria. Having never been before, I decided to embrace the local culture one night and visit a local “Hookah” (or “Shisha;” Middle Eastern waterpipe) Lounge. The MC at the lounge sat with us and began to pull deeply on the hose to get the waterpipe going.

I had tried Hookah before, but this charcoal was unique in that it was an all natural wood-base; rather than chemical-infused charcoals typically seen at most Hookah lounges. The difference was a smooth, less harsh taste. 

I could get used to this…

TRAVEL DATE: 11/11/11

FROM: Damascus, SYRIA

Incense have long been used in Eastern cultures as part of spiritual ceremonies.

The smoke is believed to ward off evil spirits. After being invited to join a beautifully vibrant temple ceremony on my trip to Tibet, I brought back a few of these gems to share with everyone else. This “rope incense” is lightly scented, yet it creates a long-lasting fresh scent in any room.

TRAVEL DATE: 07/22/10

FROM: Lhasa, TIBET

TRAVEL DATE: 07/22/10

FROM: Tokyo, JAPAN

TRAVEL DATE: 07/22/10

FROM: Dali, Yunnan