Author Archives: Eryk Salvaggio

On the Salesmen of Sri Lanka

Posted on May 1, 2013 by Eryk Salvaggio

The first guy approached me while I was standing outside of a train station in Colombo, staring at the wood-and-paint schedule board full of clock faces the attendants adjusted by hand.

Posted in Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 11 Comments

On Eating School Lunch in Japan, Part 2

Posted on April 25, 2013 by Eryk Salvaggio

Yesterday, we looked at the history of middle-school lunches in Japan. For some reason, we’re doing it again today; only this time with a focus on what lunch is like in the modern day.

Posted in Food, Teaching | 7 Comments

On Eating School Lunch in Japan, Part 1

Posted on April 24, 2013 by Eryk Salvaggio

Eating lunch at a Junior High School in America was my first confrontation with the absurdity of my situation as a student.

Posted in Food, Teaching | 5 Comments

On Awkward Acts of Generosity in Japan

Posted on April 17, 2013 by Eryk Salvaggio

It should have been a yes or no question.

Posted in Culture Shock | 40 Comments

On Hunting Whales in Japan

Posted on April 10, 2013 by Eryk Salvaggio

The whaling controversy ignites more bad press and international disagreement than almost any contemporary political issue in Japan. If it sometimes seems like Japan is staking far too much on an industry that no one wants for a food nobody … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , | 17 Comments

On Festivals in Japan

Posted on April 3, 2013 by Eryk Salvaggio

If you really want to express your feelings, it helps to carry a one-ton shrine around the city at 5 in the morning while having cold water poured on your back.

Posted in Shinto, Uncategorized | 2 Comments