Travel

Joan L. Cannon writes: I was using chopsticks to dip the most decorative slice of multi-colored mystery I'd ever seen into a mixture of soy sauce and wasabi, hoping to get the whole thing into my mouth without destroying its lovely design. I completely lost track of the conversation. Only the astonishing flavors kept my attention. I was, appropriately, hooked. Read More...

Ferida Wolff writes: In China, it is the tone of the character that makes the word and, depending upon which is used, the meaning changes. The character ma, for instance, can mean you are calling your mother, asking a question, naming a horse, or saying something offensive. Read More...

Rose Mula writes: Taking along your cell phone, laptop, Blackberry? Do you want to learn that your daughter is moving in with that loser she’s been dating; the nursing home is threatening to expel your grandfather because he was streaking the halls again; your company is downsizing and your job is on the line …? Read More...

The National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, England possesses the type of objects beloved by those who admire seamanship and jewelry.

For example, a deck watch, part of a collection of chronometers, precision watches and timekeepers is "Cased in silver, with inner dome, the movements were extensively jewelled. The metal dial was a military specification, with enamel dials believed to be at risk of error owing to creep during firing. The watches were additionally housed in wooden deck watch boxes manufactured by the Admiralty chronometer workshops."

Read more »