Cinco de Mayo parade, Saint Paul, Minnesota
Spanish for the fifth of May, Cinco de Mayo celebrates the day in 1862 when the Mexican army defeated invading French forces.
Tag: traditional culture
Northern Vietnam road trip: Around Sapa
Day seven off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam The final day of our northern Vietnam road trip is a bit less off the tourist trail because we are now in Sapa. Exploring around Sapa Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Bac Ha to Sapa
Day six off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam Day six of our northern Vietnam road trip begins right in Bac Ha, as we are in town specifically for the day’s colorful market. Even though Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Hoang Su Phi to Bac Ha
Day five off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam Day five of our northern Vietnam road trip begins at a relaxed pace at the lovely resort where we spent the night. It continues as we Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Yen Minh to Hoang Su Phi
Day four off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam Day four of our northern Vietnam road trip includes visits to several villages tucked into valleys far off the tourist trail. We also visit a lively Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Meo Vac to Yen Minh
Day three off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam The third day of our northern Vietnam road trip takes us way, way off the tourist trail as we tour more of Ha Giang province. Today’s Read More …
Northern Vietnam road trip: Hanoi to Ba Be Lake
Day one off the tourist trail in Northern Vietnam Our first day of our northern Vietnam road trip ends up being a 12 hour, 150 mile journey off the tourist trail traveling from Hanoi to Read More …
The brilliant colors of Okinawa at the Textile Museum, Washington DC
If you are looking for something bright and cheerful to counteract a cold dark winter day, head over to George Washington University for Bingata! Only in Okinawa at the Textile Museum (through January 30, 2017) Read More …
Vietnamese musician playing a bamboo xylophone
Simple bamboo xylophones (dàn t’rung) are traditional musical instruments from Vietnam’s Central Highlands, but more elaborate versions can be in music groups performing throughout Vietnam. . . Like this one being played outside a restaurant Read More …
Floating through Vietnam’s Cai Rang market
In the watery world along the Mekong River, floating markets – the regular gathering of boats selling goods of all kinds – have been a way of life for generations. This is true of the Read More …
Water puppets for sale in Vietnam
Modern copies of ancient water puppets for sale at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi This post is linked to Wordless Wednesday (on Tuesday) at image-in-ing Inside the Temple of Literature 2015 Vietnam itinerary All Read More …
A crafty wonderland in Izamal, Mexico
As if wandering the golden streets of Izamal weren’t enough to make a visitor smile, this little town in the Mexican Yucatán has another treat hiding behind those yellow facades: a cultural center bursting with Read More …
Visiting a Tay family, Vietnam
As we drove through northern Vietnam last fall, I was always curious about the people living in the towns and villages we passed along the way. Fortunately, we did have some time (not enough!) to Read More …
Elaborate Red Dao needlework, Sapa, Vietnam
Vietnam’s Red Dao (Yao) people are noted for the elaborate embroidery that decorates their clothing. A woman’s outfit includes a heavily embroidered tunic, apron, and pants, as well as embroidered accessories. A traditional outfit can Read More …
Along China Beach, Vietnam
China Beach makes up only 20 miles of nearly 3,000 miles of Vietnam’s coastline on the South China Sea, but it’s the only Vietnamese beach most Americans can name. While the Vietnamese have different names Read More …
Fancy Footwork at the Grand Portage Powwow
While there is much to watch at a powwow, it always pays to look down. These images were taken in August at the Grand Portage Powwow. Grand Portage Powwow
Days of the Dead in Minnesota: These are your neighbors
I’m lucky to have traveled to so many wonderful places around the world, but some of the most beautiful and fascinating cultural experiences I’ve had have been right here in Minnesota. There is a lot Read More …
Fancy Shawl Dancer, Grand Portage Powwow
The women’s fancy shawl dance is always a powwow highlight, as the dancers leap and twirl with their beautiful shawls like butterflies flitting through the air. It must take a lot of practice to learn Read More …