Asian Cultural Experience

Visit Beijing

When you mention Asia to most people, China is the first country that springs to mind. This is no surprise as China’s growing by leaps and bounds… and its more interesting that ever. An of course, when visiting China you should make sure to visit Beijing.

The great ancient capital of Beijing is a wonderful place to visit and you are sure to have a fantastic time. With many great sights and smells, restaurants and shopping, people and nightlife, Beijing is sure to please.

Cooking is an art and a skill

Asian cuisine is famous around the world for it’s rich flavors, spices and tradition. So it’s no wonder that so many people love to cook classic Asian dishes at home. For those who really love to cook (and love great results), becoming a professional chef is a great career option, and never easier with so many quality academies available (like the California Culinary Academy for example, http://www.baychef.com/) for those who want to pursue a career in food.

But even if you’re just interested in cooking an exotic dish for your evening in or experimenting with something new, Asian cuisine gives you an almost endless range or options and recipes to choose from. Most importantly, have fun and try something new!

Vacation in Beijing

Few places in this world have such a rich history, exciting present and promising future as China. For thousands of years China has been shrouded in mystery (to the western world at least) and considered to embody the idea of the “exotic” orient. Traders and travelers have had their sights on this ancient and exciting destination for centuries. Now, with the 2008 Olympics in Beijing coming up fast you to can Vacation in Beijing and enjoy what modern China has to offer.

There has never been a better time for a family vacation or casual travel to China. Especially now with the Olympics coming, Beijing especially is bound to be transformed into a tourist’s dream. So if you’ve ever considered a vacation to China but weren’t quite sure if it was for you, there’s no time like the present! (or rather 2008)

Adventure Travel

Looking for more than just a vacation? Are you looking for an adventure? Two things rarely go together as well as adventure and travel, it’s a perfect match for the action-seeking traveler. Many people opt to hike or even rock climb (if they know how) but few think of dirt bikes.

I know it’s not the first thing that pops into people’s heads when they want to combine sight seeing and outdoor sports, but it’s a perfect solution. A dirt bike (or even a 4 wheeler) can let you really get around and take in the scenery. It’s a great way to explore and lets face it, you can go way farther (and faster) and see things that you would have missed out on if you had gone hiking!

Consider an off road adventure on your next vacation, you’ll thank me for it!

Uji Matcha

We all know what green tea is, but what about Matcha? Well matcha is ground green tea, used in Japanese tea ceremony as well as dying foods such as noodles. One of the most famous Matcha-producing regions is Uji in Kyoto (tea from this region is called “Ujicha”), and Uji Matcha is highly regarded for its quality.

The production of quality matcha is a very involved process and requires great knowledge and skill. Preparing matcha for harvest is a process that starts well before harvesting time by covering the tea bushes to prevent direct sunlight (this slows growth, darkens the leaves and produces amino acids that result in a sweeter tea). The drying process is also important and different techniques are used to produce the different kinds of matcha (eg. Gyokuro or tencha).

Sure sounds intriguing, doesn’t it?

Just for food lovers

Just as many of you, I too love good food. It’s also no coincidence that I often post about food, recipes and food in culture. For that same reason I want to bring the WCI Myspace page to your attention. If you love food then you owe it to yourself to check this out.

The Western Culinary Institute is located in Portland, Oregon (United States) and if you’re a food lover and want to refine your skills or even go pro, check out their page. At the very least you’ll have an opportunity to make some myspace friends that have the same passion for food and cooking as you do!

Cabo San Lucas

Cabo San Lucas (or just Cabo) is a small city at the southern tip of the Baja California peninsula in Mexico and is quickly becoming a high-end holiday destination with several resorts and timeshare clubs appearing along the coast. Cabo San Lucas condos are becoming an increasingly attractive option for many tourists.

Cabo has become a major vacation and spa destination with many sites of interest. The distinctive El Arco de Cabo San Lucas is a local landmark and a notable site of interest. Another interesting fact is that Cabo San Lucas has the largest Marlin tournament in the world! Needless to say there are many interesting activities and sites for visitors to see and take part in.

When planning your next vacation you should seriously consider Cabo San Lucas as a possible destination. Many tourists flock to its shores and sites each year to enjoy not only the many activities but also the Mexican culture and food that help make this place to interesting.

Pakistani handicrafts

Pakistan is currently a developing country and there is still a ways to go in regards to the country�s infrastructure and mechanization; especially in the rural areas and therefore most work is still done by hand. People are very skilled in making carpets, rugs and other items by hand. Pakistani handicrafts are very famous because of their designs and uniqueness.

The pottery industry is very big in rural areas of Pakistan. They make thousands of things like vases, pots, decoration items etc. which are further glazed and decorated by hands using colors and other items.

Cricket is BIG in Pakistan

People in Pakistan are crazy about Cricket. Although hockey is Pakistan�s national game but people are more into cricket. It doesn�t matter if someone is a kid, young boy or an old man; he is crazy follower of cricket. The spirits increase a lot when Pakistan is playing against their arch rivals India. People are also very emotional on win and lose of cricket team.

Pakistan has won only one cricket world cup in 1992 and was runner up in 1999 world cup. The Pakistan cricket team is considered one of the best and unpredictable cricket team in the world.

Fast Food in China

There are two types of fast food operators in China: Western and Chinese. However, not until recently has western fast food become popular in China. It wasn�t that long ago that the general Chinese public had little idea about such terms as hot dogs, pizza, potato chips, and the such. The opening up of China has allowed many western companies and cultural influences to find their way into modern China.

Fast food has quickly found it�s place in modern China. The increasing tempo of life and adoption of western culture and attitudes has opened up a huge market for fast food operators. People on the move simply don�t have time to lose!

The speed of fast food is not the only consideration… marketing, flashy storefronts and clean interiors all help in making fast food a permanent fixture in the urban landscapes of modern Chinese cities. Nowadays it�s not unlikely to see Singapore fast food, Turkish fast food and Indin-Pakistan fast food making their way into Chinese homes.