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The taiko drums reverberated with deep, steady tones, as the monks on either side of the altar pounded them with consistent strokes of their long, wooden bachi (taiko drum sticks). We removed our shoes and found spaces to kneel amongst the other parishioners on the crimson carpet. It was morning outside, but the interior altar was dark and candlelit, with an array of large reflective and intricately decorated golden ornaments dangling from the ceiling. The taiko drumming monks continued, while other monks chanted and shook golden bells. The head priest, also chanting, added sticks to a fast growing fire that he had created as a symbol of peace and purification. The flames, that seemed to understand his esoteric commands, were part of a ritual that is intended to deliver the wishes of the people to Buddha. The pilgrims pray for safety, luck, and prosperity in their lives, and in conjunction with this, at the end of the ceremony, everyone brings his or her purse or satchel to the priest to be waved over the smoke. This supposedly enhances the future value of the bags' contents.

One of the most exciting experiences in Japan is the opportunity to witness or even be a part of a local festival. I did this two summers ago in Kyoto City, Japan. Kyoto was the imperial capital of Japan from 794 to 1868, and it is still known today as the cultural capital. Saved from bombings during World War II, its1600 Buddhist temples, 400 Shinto shrines, 17 UNESCO World Heritage sites, and numerous palaces, gardens, museums, and machiya(traditional merchant houses), are well preserved and continuously being renewed and restored. Kyoto is home to three of the most famous festivals in Japan. These include: the Aoi Matsuri or Hollyhock Festival, held every May 15, the Jidai Matsuri or Festival of Ages, held every October 22, and the grand Gion Matsuri, which takes its name from the city's Gion geisha district, and runs for the entire month of July.

If you sign up for a tour in Tallin, Estonia, you may encounter a few surprises. After finishing a lovely coffee break at a historic Viennese-style café, our small group strolled out into the cobblestone streets of Old Tallin. While admiring the flowery and flowing medieval architecture, we were suddenly jolted into another era. “Halt!” a man shouted! He was a uniformed police officer, who, with a heavy Russian accent, demanded that we “Stop taking photos!”  He pulled us aside and ordered us to present our passports and papers.  Our group members looked at each other wondering what could possibly be wrong.  “Be quiet! Stand against Wall!” The office demanded.  He then pulled out handcuffs and began hand-cuffing my friend.  We were all a little bit frightened (or at least uneasy) until we noticed that the hand-cuffs were wrapped in pink velvet!  

Macau, with its famous “Cotai Strip”, is often considered the Las Vegas of the East. Nevertheless, I went to Macau for five nights; stayed at the Sheraton Macao (3,896 guest rooms) the largest hotel in this entire Special Administrative Region of China, and did not gamble once! Instead, I discovered the destination's cultural side.