Travellers' High

Seems like the best destination for political leaders and business executives at the World Economic Forum is Switzerland, followed by Austria, Germany, Australia, UK, and US. (For more details, check the travel & tourism competitiveness index) No wonder why they get together in Davos every year. HongKong (14) and Singapore (16) are best ranked among Asian countries.

But, you can just intuitionally pick your destination with a couple of words. So, which one draws you most?
"Amazing Thailand" (according to the index above, the country is ranked at 42)
"Incredible !ndia" (65)
"Korea Sparkling" (31)
"Vietnam: the Hidden Charm" (96)
"Malaysia: Truly Asia" (32)
"100% Pure New Zealand" (19)
"So Where the Bloody Hell Are You?" (Australia, 4), etc.

Touch the Sky

As "人生とは旅であり、旅とは人生である (Life is like a journey and vice versa.)" said a retired Japanese soccer player, this tireless gentleman has travelled around some 100 countries so far. Ordinary people cannot afford such trips, but you'd better hurry if you wanna see around the world. According to the United Nations World Tourism Organization, international tourist visits are expected to double soon, from roughly 800 million in 2008 to 1.6 billion by 2020. ("Tourism time bomb", the Harvard Business Review, April 14, 2008)

For now "the traffic jams" of international visitors are likely to happen in France, Spain, US, China and Italy, the top5 host countries of international visitors.

A Checklist for Starbucks Goers?!

An interesting topic at:
8 Types Of Annoying People You’ll Find Inside Starbucks

Well, I never order such a drink like “non-fat, grande, soy chai latte with a half shot of espresso and no foam” but simply today's coffee. The only problem I (and many other Starbucks goers alike) might have is customizing not my drink but myself for Starbucks...

By the way, a Canadian coffeehouse, "Never Burnt, Never Bitter" Blenz Coffee has caught my attention lately. And I wonder if the drinks are sweetened by maple syrup.

African Festa: to be continued (to next year)

For those who missed the event, here're some photos from the event. Don't miss next year's!!

Not a "strait gate".

Drumstruck, an interactive musical from South Africa, is coming back to Japan in mid-Aug. The show will be at the Galaxy Theatre (天王州銀河劇場).

African Festa 2008

So, here comes the African Festa again!! (But, surprisingly no English website again. Ridiculous...)

For those not familiar with this event, it's a huge annual festival held in Tokyo (but this year in Yokohama). No admission fee. It will have 36 African embassies and 59 NGOs selling the variety of African foods, accessories and more. Or make some goodwill donations.

Where: Aka-renga Soko (Red Brick Warehouse), Yokohama
When: Sat, May 17, 12:00 - 17:00 / Sun, May 18, 11:00 - 17:00

For more details, check this out:
http://www.africanfesta2008.com/

Looking forward to seeing YOU!! You will find many foreign (non-Japanese) people and "strange" Japanese there : )

Go Go Chicago

one of hoMes

"Homes" is a mnemonic for the Great Lakes: Huron, Ontario, MICHIGAN, Erie and Superior.

put your hands up
If lucky enough, you don't have to limbo.

Mr & Mrs Park (up to 19th floor)
The two 65-story Marina City complexes are for both residential and commercial use.

Tokyo's rival

Seven bidders will be shortlisted next month and finalized in Oct, 2009.

世界のスタバから Starbucks Worldwide 2

Chicago

Unfortunately this store at the Chicago River doesn't have drive-thru for boat sailors.

a Bucks in the Loop

Hard working Starbucks stores are starting from 5am. Good for workaholics, and jetlaggers from Japan.

Bucks to the future: an old log on a cup

CPA

not pie, tarte nor quiche

it's a slice of pizza!!

Oh, by the way, CPA stands not for Certified Public Accountant but for Chicago Pizza Adorer :)

PS. Thank you for your sweet treat, A-san. Good luck on your exams!!

No Music No Life

Most of free music downloading is illegal. But, you don't have to always pay for listening to your favorite music. Forget your iPod. The FREE live performance of Volta Masters with SIERRA and 1773 was held on May 1, 2008 at Tower Record Shibuya.

1773 (from Chicago!!) played all my favorite songs like "Constant Motion", "Too Long", "Mr. Lawrence / Heart Music", "Whatever Me", etc. The group's new album is coming this fall.

"sexy back"?! (by Justin Timberbrake)