Espanish Spanish

June 18, 2018 by Marc Moorghen in Culture, Opinion, Travel

During the entire time we were in Madrid, I had an near uncontrollable urge to say everything with a lisp. Even in English. You must understand that this comes not from a desire to make fun of "Spanish Spanish," as I like to call it (Español de España), but because I enjoy the sound so much. It tickles my ears and brings a smile to my face, especially when someone is being very earnest and speaking in quickfire Spanish Spanish, like the Madrileños, as the people of Madrid are known. Thankfully, they are wonderful people with a sense of humor. They made our transition from the mean streets of Paris very easy. The minute we arrived in Madrid, it was as if a weight had lifted from our shoulders.

Seoul Searching

March 25, 2018 by Marc Moorghen in Culture, Opinion, Travel

After nearly a month spend pleasantly drifting in Japan, suspended in an alternate universe, heading out on the road again was hard. We had gone soft. All that good food and pampering came back to haunt us, as we shouldered our backpacks and wheeled our suitcases to Nagoya Airport. We had only planned as far as the New Year, knowing that we would reach out friends in time for Christmas. Beyond that was as vague as, "We'll figure it out." This was a mistake, because we're embarked on a round-the-world trip using one-way tickets.

At home in Japan

March 21, 2018 by Marc Moorghen in Culture, Opinion, Travel

Japan holds a very special place in our hearts, as Jona and I met and were married there nearly fifteen years ago. We lived in Gifu, in Central Japan, between Tokyo and Osaka. It's considered the countryside, as it's at the foot of the Japanese Alps, but, in reality, it's at the very edge of the metropolitan sprawl that seemed to radiate out from Tokyo, as far as the eye can see. During our time in Gifu, we built a nice life with a circle of friends that felt more like family.