Yamaguchi: Temples, Cuisine, and Crowd-Free Exploration
In 2024, Yamaguchi, Japan, emerges as a top recommendation from Craig Mod of The New York Times. Nestled in a narrow valley between the Inland and Japan seas, this compact city, often dubbed the Kyoto of the West, offers serene temples, delectable cuisine, and off-the-beaten-path adventures. It’s a tranquil escape from bustling cities, inviting travelers […]
Mainframes Still Running Ancient COBOL: Few Kow the Way
JD Sartain from PCWorld highlights the alarming reality that a significant portion of the world’s business and finance systems still operate on 60-year-old COBOL code, with only a small community of programmers familiar with it. Every day, 3 trillion dollars worth of transactions are handled by a 64-year-old programming language that hardly anybody knows anymore. […]
Journey to Lake Toba, Indonesia
Lake Toba, Indonesia, is explored by Joel Carillet of The New York Times as one of the top travel destinations for 2024. Discover the tranquil beauty of the world’s largest volcanic lake, nestled amidst lush green hills and traditional Batak villages, offering insights into one of the planet’s most significant volcanic explosions 74,000 years ago. […]
Amazon Reducing Packaging on Millions of Deliveries
Sebastian Herrera of The Wall Street Journal observes Amazon’s cost-cutting and customer satisfaction strategy: reducing packaging on millions of deliveries and leveraging its expanded pandemic warehouse network to minimize handling: The change represents the next frontier in the tech giant’s overhaul of its delivery processes, one Chief Executive Andy Jassy hopes will appeal to customers […]
Edward de Bono’s Legacy: Estate Rich in Ideas, Not Cash
When Edward de Bono, the renowned philosopher and pioneer of “lateral thinking,” unveiled his final will and testament, it left many puzzled. Given his esteemed reputation, one might assume he’d amassed a sizable fortune. Yet, as Vanessa Thorpe of The Guardian notes, the revelation that his estate amounted to a mere £11,900 is quite surprising: […]
O’Higgins Chili Odyssey: Rural Farm Connections
Chile’s O’Higgins Region shines as a top 2024 destination, according to Nicholas Gill of The New York Times. Embark on a chili odyssey to delve into rural Chile’s culinary delights and traditional cultivation practices. Local cooks, winemakers, and artisan growers are banding together to uphold their campesino identity amidst challenges like wildfires, earthquakes, and overlooked […]
Alabama is Still Confronting the Grievous Stain of Segregation
Alabama has provided the backdrop for some of the ugliest scenes during the civil rights era, notes The Guardian’s Gary Younge. Alabama, a state marked by racial tensions since its declaration of sovereignty in 1861, witnessed pivotal moments in the civil rights movement. In December 1955, Rosa Parks’ refusal to give up her bus seat […]
Mustang Citadel: Exploring Nepal’s Remote Cultural Gem
Explore the hidden kingdom of Mustang, Nepal, amidst the towering Annapurna Range. Nora Walsh of The New York Times recommends a visit in 2024 to experience ancient Tibetan culture and breathtaking Himalayan landscapes. With improved transportation, delve into Mustang’s rich history, vibrant festivals, and serene villages in the Upper Mustang region and Lo Manthang. A […]
Cupid’s Boob: Juliet’s Statue is the Ultimate Love Charm
BBC Features correspondent Eva Sandoval observes the daily influx of tourists to Juliet’s house (Casa di Giulietta,) a 14th-Century structure. Visitors navigate through crowds to catch a glimpse of its iconic stone balcony and take selfies with the bronze statue of the tragic heroine in the courtyard. A number of the city’s structures have been […]
Dominica’s Natural Wonders: Rainforests, Reefs
Dominica emerges as a top 2024 destination, suggested by Nora Walsh of The New York Times. Dive into the Nature Island’s mesmerizing rainforests, coral reefs, and volcanic landscapes, offering eco-adventurers a vast playground across its 290-square-miles of lush landscapes and vibrant underwater worlds. Get a bird’s-eye view of the wild landscape thanks to a $54 […]