Far away in the country side of northern Japan I again find something new and refreshing.  Star gazing.  Out here away from the city lights the night sky is crystal clear. Just staring up into the Heavens can do so much.   It’s so beautiful, peaceful, mysterious and powerful....

BOOM!-!CRACK!-WIZ! 
These are sounds heard by most travelers. I’m talking about the sensual
explosion felt when you enter a ‘new place’, one completely foreign to that
with which you are familiar.  The smells,
tastes, culture, people…it’s endless.  
For most of us that...