- Simone Biles is the Heroine We All Need
It’s been a banner run for women in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics so far. Flora Duffy from Bermuda brought home her country’s first-ever gold medal in the women’s triathlon. Hidilyn Diaz, a female weightlifter in the 55-kilogram category, is bringing home the first-ever gold medal for the Philippines. The first gold medal of this year’s …
- We’ve Moved on to a New Adventure
If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you probably know that our little family has lived overseas for the last three years. We moved to Japan in 2018 and loved every second of that adventure. You also may have noticed it’s been a bit quieter on this side of the internet lately. I …
- Letting my Guard Down in Japan
“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” – Rumi I’ve wanted to return to travel writing for a while. Although the original concept behind Coffee + Camo was a travel blog, it didn’t take me long to realize I’m not a great travel writer. With the onset of the pandemic and travel …
- Don’t Miss the Journey
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware – Martin Buber It’s 2009 and I’m a junior in college. In my dorm room, the chill of winter slowly melting into spring, I’m packing a bag. I hold up different items, weighing their effectiveness in keeping me cool. I’m traveling south, spending spring …
- Moving to Japan? What to Know for Your PCS
All great changes are preceded by chaos – Deepak Chopra In spring 2018, I embarked on the biggest, and longest, adventure of my life. Husband and I relocated to Japan with the military. Moving is one of the most exciting, and most heartbreaking and stressful parts of military life. As a new military spouse going …
- Grace + Grit: The Joy + Challenge of Leaving My Comfort Zone
As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal – Robin Sharma It’s 2007, and I’m 20 years old. I’m riding a charter bus with thirty of my not-yet-closest friends, heading south. Today, I’m on my way to Ireland, embarking on my first international adventure.
- My Mountaintop Experience: Climbing Mt. Fuji
A wise man climbs Mt. Fuji once, a fool climbs it twice – Japanese proverb Although the climbing season for Mt. Fuji ended this week, I feel like now is a good time to share my experience. As usual, I like a little time between the “doing” and the “telling.” I plan to put out …
- 5 Coffee Shops Worth Returning to
I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community – Howard Schultz Given the name of this blog, it might surprise you that this is my first post about coffee! Despite a deep love for the stuff, I’m still learning to put words …
- It’s a Small World: Seeing Connections Across Cultures
I aimlessly travel, meaning I have no agenda other than to get small in the world, be quiet and observe people – Walton Goggins I’ve been toying with the idea of a small world since I started the Cambodia series. Words have come in fits and spurts, and none of it feels cohesive. After all, the …
- 5 Must-Have Experiences in Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Life is short and the older you get, the more you feel it. Indeed, the shorter it is. People lose their capacity to walk, run, travel, think, and experience life. I realize how important it is to use the time I have. – Viggo Mortensen There’s always so much to see and experience when visiting …
- Flavors of Cambodia: Where to Eat in Phnom Penh
,Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonald’s? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria’s mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled …
- Beauty from Ashes: Visiting Cambodia’s Tuol Sleng and Killing Fields
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on …
- Seeing God in the Airport
If God had really intended men to fly, He’d make it easier to get to the airport – George Winters Since marrying my husband three years ago, I’ve had the privilege to travel more often than ever before. I believe the military lifestyle often attracts travelers. Leave holidays, PCS moves, TDY visits – we’ve done …
- Let’s Go Thrift Shopping!
The whole thing of clothes is insane. You can spend a dollar on a jacket in a thrift store. And you can spend a thousand dollars on a jacket in a shop. And if you saw those two jackets walking down the street, you probably wouldn’t know which was which. – Helen Mirren Spring is …
- 6 Things to Do in Osaka
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware – Martin Buber Being stationed in Japan is wonderful! Not only do we have the luxury to experience a new culture, but we also have access to an amazing transportation system. Japan’s railway system gives us easy access to much of Honshu, meaning we …
- Osaka Amazing Pass – Is it Worth it?
A penny saved is a penny earned – Benjamin Franklin Travel is an exciting perk of an overseas duty station. The country is yours to explore, and you may be in closer proximity to other cities and countries than ever before. But trip expenses add up quickly. It can be hard to research and find …
- Our Favorite Places to Eat (and Drink) in Kyoto
Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious. – Ruth Reichl One of the perks of travel is the chance to discover new food and drink. As much as we can, we aim to find local places to support and enjoy. For those of you that know us …
- A Weekend in Kyoto: 5 Things to Do
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. – Helen Keller Sometimes duty calls, making it hard to get away on leave for a large block of time. Thankfully, the military calendar contains a few four-day weekends. Even if you only have a small window of time to travel, don’t sweat it! There’s …
- 6 Must-See Spots in Yokohama
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. – G.K. Chesterton It’s no secret that Husband and I do our best to get out of the house as often as we can. When we first moved here, we were told “In three years, you can go out every …
- The Dutch Renaissance Visits Japan
Vermeer found a life’s work in the corner of a room. – Irwin Greenberg Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. – Thomas Merton Back in October, Husband took me on a very special day date. We went out on a whim, not quite sure how the adventure …
- A German-Style Christmas in Japan
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. – Norman Vincent Peale It’s our first Christmas in Japan and things are in full swing. Our house is decorated, including our first attempt at outside lights. All our gifts to family and friends have been wrapped and mailed. …
- Tokyo: Robot Restaurant
Human reactions to robots varies by culture and changes over time. In the United States, we are terrified by killer robots. In Japan, people want to snuggle with killer robots. – Daniel H. Wilson Before we moved to Japan, we did very little research on popular things to do and see. This was mostly because, …
- Kamakura: Hiking and Holy Places
“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other…again and again and again. And if you allow yourself opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit” – Unknown …
- 6 Tips to Thrive When You Move to a Foreign Country
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Maya Angelou Have you ever been in a place where it was difficult to communicate with other people? I’ve spent plenty of time choosing not to talk to …
- Tokyo: Meiji Shrine
shrine: n. a place regarded as holy because of its associations with a divinity or a sacred person or relic, marked by a building or other construction. There are lots of shrines in Japan. According to a recent survey, nearly 80% of the Japanese population practices the Shinto religion. As part of Shintoism, shrines …
- How to Wear a Yukata: A (Very) Basic Guide
“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” – Paulo Coelho It’s a Saturday in July (a little late, I know), and I have received an invite from Ayumi, a Japanese friend of mine. She asked me to go with her to a matsuri, or festival, in her area of town. It was a …
- Life In Japan Gets Real
“The best stories come from real life” – Diane English “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings” – William Arthur Ward “All of life is a foreign country” – Jack Kerouac It’s hard to believe a month (or more!) has passed since my …
- The Giant Kites of Sagami Festival
Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it. – Winston Churchill It’s a warm, clear day and the sun is shining. After a few days of rain the week before, I’m grateful for the warmer temperatures. The weather in this area is not what I was expecting. The mid-60-degree temperatures advertised for …
- 5 Things I Didn’t Expect Our First Week In Japan
“You have to take risks. We only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen” – Paulo Coelho Hello from Japan! Husband and I have been here for about a week, learning our way around and trying our hardest to stay out of trouble. I think we’re both finally over …
It’s been a banner run for women in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics so far. Flora Duffy from Bermuda brought home her country’s first-ever gold medal in the women’s triathlon. Hidilyn Diaz, a female weightlifter in the 55-kilogram category, is bringing home the first-ever gold medal for the Philippines. The first gold medal of this year’s …
If you’ve been around the blog for a while, you probably know that our little family has lived overseas for the last three years. We moved to Japan in 2018 and loved every second of that adventure. You also may have noticed it’s been a bit quieter on this side of the internet lately. I …
“The wound is the place where the light enters you.” – Rumi I’ve wanted to return to travel writing for a while. Although the original concept behind Coffee + Camo was a travel blog, it didn’t take me long to realize I’m not a great travel writer. With the onset of the pandemic and travel …
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware – Martin Buber It’s 2009 and I’m a junior in college. In my dorm room, the chill of winter slowly melting into spring, I’m packing a bag. I hold up different items, weighing their effectiveness in keeping me cool. I’m traveling south, spending spring …
All great changes are preceded by chaos – Deepak Chopra In spring 2018, I embarked on the biggest, and longest, adventure of my life. Husband and I relocated to Japan with the military. Moving is one of the most exciting, and most heartbreaking and stressful parts of military life. As a new military spouse going …
As you move outside of your comfort zone, what was once the unknown and frightening becomes your new normal – Robin Sharma It’s 2007, and I’m 20 years old. I’m riding a charter bus with thirty of my not-yet-closest friends, heading south. Today, I’m on my way to Ireland, embarking on my first international adventure.
A wise man climbs Mt. Fuji once, a fool climbs it twice – Japanese proverb Although the climbing season for Mt. Fuji ended this week, I feel like now is a good time to share my experience. As usual, I like a little time between the “doing” and the “telling.” I plan to put out …
I was taken by the power that savoring a simple cup of coffee can have to connect people and create community – Howard Schultz Given the name of this blog, it might surprise you that this is my first post about coffee! Despite a deep love for the stuff, I’m still learning to put words …
I aimlessly travel, meaning I have no agenda other than to get small in the world, be quiet and observe people – Walton Goggins I’ve been toying with the idea of a small world since I started the Cambodia series. Words have come in fits and spurts, and none of it feels cohesive. After all, the …
Life is short and the older you get, the more you feel it. Indeed, the shorter it is. People lose their capacity to walk, run, travel, think, and experience life. I realize how important it is to use the time I have. – Viggo Mortensen There’s always so much to see and experience when visiting …
,Do we really want to travel in hermetically sealed popemobiles through the rural provinces of France, Mexico and the Far East, eating only in Hard Rock Cafes and McDonald’s? Or do we want to eat without fear, tearing into the local stew, the humble taqueria’s mystery meat, the sincerely offered gift of a lightly grilled …
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion – to bestow on …
If God had really intended men to fly, He’d make it easier to get to the airport – George Winters Since marrying my husband three years ago, I’ve had the privilege to travel more often than ever before. I believe the military lifestyle often attracts travelers. Leave holidays, PCS moves, TDY visits – we’ve done …
The whole thing of clothes is insane. You can spend a dollar on a jacket in a thrift store. And you can spend a thousand dollars on a jacket in a shop. And if you saw those two jackets walking down the street, you probably wouldn’t know which was which. – Helen Mirren Spring is …
All journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware – Martin Buber Being stationed in Japan is wonderful! Not only do we have the luxury to experience a new culture, but we also have access to an amazing transportation system. Japan’s railway system gives us easy access to much of Honshu, meaning we …
A penny saved is a penny earned – Benjamin Franklin Travel is an exciting perk of an overseas duty station. The country is yours to explore, and you may be in closer proximity to other cities and countries than ever before. But trip expenses add up quickly. It can be hard to research and find …
Pull up a chair. Take a taste. Come join us. Life is so endlessly delicious. – Ruth Reichl One of the perks of travel is the chance to discover new food and drink. As much as we can, we aim to find local places to support and enjoy. For those of you that know us …
Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. – Helen Keller Sometimes duty calls, making it hard to get away on leave for a large block of time. Thankfully, the military calendar contains a few four-day weekends. Even if you only have a small window of time to travel, don’t sweat it! There’s …
The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see. – G.K. Chesterton It’s no secret that Husband and I do our best to get out of the house as often as we can. When we first moved here, we were told “In three years, you can go out every …
Vermeer found a life’s work in the corner of a room. – Irwin Greenberg Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time. – Thomas Merton Back in October, Husband took me on a very special day date. We went out on a whim, not quite sure how the adventure …
Christmas waves a magic wand over this world, and behold, everything is softer and more beautiful. – Norman Vincent Peale It’s our first Christmas in Japan and things are in full swing. Our house is decorated, including our first attempt at outside lights. All our gifts to family and friends have been wrapped and mailed. …
Human reactions to robots varies by culture and changes over time. In the United States, we are terrified by killer robots. In Japan, people want to snuggle with killer robots. – Daniel H. Wilson Before we moved to Japan, we did very little research on popular things to do and see. This was mostly because, …
“Hiking is a bit like life: The journey only requires you to put one foot in front of the other…again and again and again. And if you allow yourself opportunity to be present throughout the entirety of the trek, you will witness beauty every step of the way, not just at the summit” – Unknown …
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.” -Maya Angelou Have you ever been in a place where it was difficult to communicate with other people? I’ve spent plenty of time choosing not to talk to …
shrine: n. a place regarded as holy because of its associations with a divinity or a sacred person or relic, marked by a building or other construction. There are lots of shrines in Japan. According to a recent survey, nearly 80% of the Japanese population practices the Shinto religion. As part of Shintoism, shrines …
“Be brave. Take risks. Nothing can substitute experience.” – Paulo Coelho It’s a Saturday in July (a little late, I know), and I have received an invite from Ayumi, a Japanese friend of mine. She asked me to go with her to a matsuri, or festival, in her area of town. It was a …
“The best stories come from real life” – Diane English “Gratitude can transform common days into thanksgivings, turn routine jobs into joy, and change ordinary opportunities into blessings” – William Arthur Ward “All of life is a foreign country” – Jack Kerouac It’s hard to believe a month (or more!) has passed since my …
Kites rise highest against the wind – not with it. – Winston Churchill It’s a warm, clear day and the sun is shining. After a few days of rain the week before, I’m grateful for the warmer temperatures. The weather in this area is not what I was expecting. The mid-60-degree temperatures advertised for …
“You have to take risks. We only understand the miracle of life fully when we allow the unexpected to happen” – Paulo Coelho Hello from Japan! Husband and I have been here for about a week, learning our way around and trying our hardest to stay out of trouble. I think we’re both finally over …