Design In Asia

After traveling to China and Japan… I’m not sold on the whole GPS phenomenon. I reckon I can see the use from Global Positioning Systems if lost in the depths of a Brazilian rain forest, but I see little benefit for such devises in the civilized world. It feels to me a lot like using a compass to find the bathroom in a crowded bar.

Asking someone for directions in China and Japan can be a bit cumbersome considering the language road blocks, but there is something learned by attempting this communication, figuring out their system of directions and actually using your intuition to get some where. Constantly relying on technology to get you somewhere is a lot like constantly using a calculator to add. If you don’t practice that part of your brain it will never grow. How many phone numbers do you know without going into your cell phone to look them up? I can remember numbers from when I didn’t have a cell phone but can barely remember my own number now.

It takes a lot to lead a group of young adults through the United States, never mind a country like China or Japan. David Mathews and Sam Girton were like the Yin and Yang of tour guides. Dave brought to the trip a certain style of leadership while Sam seemed to balance things out with a down-to-earth personality that really connected with the younger students.

For all of us there were frustrations that made us want to leave the group and take the risks of travel on our own, but overall there was a cohesiveness to the group that seemed to last throughout most of the trip.

Climbing our way out of the subway tunnels in Kyoto, we found ourselves stepping into a different pace of life in this Imperial city. We were immediately warmed with sunlight awed by the absolute blue skies, two things we rarely saw in Beijing and Hong Kong. Even though temperatures pushed past 110 degrees fahrenheit we welcomed the sunlight.

When traveling with twenty or more sometimes it is hard to find time for personal reflection or needed space. After living and studying in two of the most densely populated cities in the world one can feel a little overwhelmed and overstimulated. Nestled in a valley as part of the Tamba highlands, Kyoto was able provide us with much needed tranquility and free time to reflect on our travels, experiences, and our own lives.

Several of the key moments and places that allowed for such opportunities where at Ginkakuji (The Silver Pavilion), Ruouan-ji (The Temple of the Peaceful Dragon), The Path of Philosophy, the garden at the Heian Shrine, and getting lost in the Bamboo Forest. One reason that made these places very relaxing and impacting is that we were able to spend plenty of time at each place in order to take in each experience and to reflect. Our time spent in the gardens not only allowed us time to soak our experiences from Beijing and Hong King but it allowed us to prepare for our studies at Chubu University and our last few days in Tokyo.

Brandon Flayler

Touring a fish market at 4:30 in the morning does not sound inviting to many people, but I was thrilled with this idea. I mean when else are you going to get the chance to tour a fish market in Tokyo?! The fish market is enormous with tons of fisherman, dead and alive fish and little vehicles that carry the fish from one location to another. I don’t exactly remember if it smelled or not, but there were certainly enough visually interesting things to focus on. We split up into four groups and poked around into the different areas. It was interesting watching an auctioneer sell the biggest fish I’ve seen in my life. Since I couldnt understand a word he was saying with the speed at which he was saying it, it was almost as if he was rapping. Another interesting/disturbing moment was walking past the men that were about to kill their fish. Let’s just say my white-t had a little blood splatter on it that wasn’t mine. Overall, I enjoyed the experience and was not at all turned off by the fish heads, fins etc. In fact, a lot of us decided to dine in the area and experience some fresh sashimi for breakfast, while a smaller group opted for bagels and pancakes. My breakfast of tuna, salmon, salmon roe and crab was delightful and I enjoyed my first fish breakfast.

August 29

We left Tokyo on Wednesday afternoon. We arrived in Columbus on Wednesday night. The 13 hour time difference made our last travel day that much harder. Our thoughts were consumed by all of the amazing experiences we had throughout the trip. The plane ride was a somber affair as we all realized that we would be parting after spending endless hours together for 35 straight days. It was definitley hard to leave everyone at the airport even though it was nice to see all of our families.

Happy to be back now,
Kate Kinghorn
Cara Pirrello

On one lazy day in Hong Kong, my roommate Fei and I decided to venture into the city just the two of us and see what Hong Kong had to offer. I enjoyed the company of everyone that was on this trip, but it was much simplier to explore a huge city with only two people needing to make the decisions. Our goal was to go to the Food Market and pick up some exotic fruits and veggies, but on our way Fei decided she needed a haircut. We walked in the first salon we saw. Fei was ready for anything, but I was a little more hesitant considering I couldn’t really explain what I wanted done. I repeated “a little and small” numerous times and even explained with my hands the amount that was to be cut off. Needless to say more than “a little” was chopped off but I was still excited about the results. Hair salons in Hong Kong are very different than what I was used to at home. The stylists were all men and the shampoo girls massaged your head for a good fifteen minutes. Our haircuts were about nine US dollars, which is impossible to find in the US.

Now that we had a hair done we wandered around the the populated street areas and came across a sushi restaurant. Not just any sushi restaurant, but the kind where the food rotated around you! We were given the option of choosing multiple types of sushi and then we ordered more exotic looking things and ice cream! There were plates hanging on the wall of the restaurant with different colors to explain the different prices. Our little adventure turned into an amazing day and brought Fei and I closer together. My favorite part of our adventure is being able to retell this story. I can always start off with “well when I got my hair cut in hong kong…” It’s something I will never forget and always cherish.

On our walk through the ferry station in Hong Kong something educational caught our eye. We immediately thought of our other interior architecture professor, Matt Ziff, when sighting these spider joints. Spider Joints are used to provide a flexible connection between the glass and the supporting system. The joint’s arms are designed to support heavy loads but still allow flexibility to reduce stress around the glass. We decided to take some model shots in front of the joints to display our undying love for these little stainless steel connectors.

Tess Rodriguez (photographer) and Natalie DiBenedetto

During our final project critiques in Hong Kong, we noticed a frantic man peeking periodically in through the door’s window. We were finally interrupted to find out that the entire school was evacuating for a level 3 tsunami warning (level 1 being the worst). Being the studious students that we are, we stayed to finish the critiques, and then walked back to our rooms, where we ended up having to stay for a straight 24 hours.. You can only imagine how hard it would be to entertain yourself for this long, but we managed. Here are some images from the lockdown…

Tess Rodriguez and Natalie DiBenedetto

I love getting that question as I get acquainted with my college friends and those I see at home.  I usually say something short and sweet like: “It was unbelievable.” or “Delicious”.  I mean, what am I suppose to say. It was really a beyond words experience that cannot be summed up while passing on the sidewalk or in between classes.

So I invite them to look at our school blog here, or look at my personal blog here(http://toddinasia.blogspot.com/), where I was able to write more personal thoughts along the way. I would invite them to look at the thousands of pictures I have. And we will sit. And I will tell of the stories of the long days in china and japan. I will tell them I was the last to be ready to a few more events than others. I find it appropriate that I may be the last to write on the blog before the 4pm deadline as well 

Thinking about traveling? Here are our picks for the best and worse hotels in the orient.

International Student Housing—Beijing, China
2 stars
This hotel had great food (no extra charge), large terrycloth blankets that also doubles as a towel and a doorbell for each room…they help with those early mornings. The bathrooms could be larger but who doesn’t love sitting on the toilet and showering at the same time? The hotel keeps to a strict 11:00 curfew. Be careful not to be late. Also, be prepared for that long walk to the studio… in the rain.

University Guest Housing—Hong Kong, China
3 stars
The University Hotel has an incredible view that overlooks the bay, beds with wheels and breakfast available in the mornings.  Look past the biting ants, cold showers and steep hills, and you’ve got yourself the perfect Hong Kong getaway.

YMCA Hotel—Hong Kong, China
4 stars
This YMCA has got to be the nicest ever built.  Enjoy the complementary fruit bowls in every room and comfortable beds.  The hotel has a wonderful location, but be careful let your roommate know when you’re planning on getting back to the room.  You only get one key.

(Ryokan #1)—Osaka, Japan
3 stars
Up for a traditional Japanese experience complete with paper walls, tatami mats, and beanbag pillows? This hotel has got you covered.  Watch-out of the elevator doors that seem to have a mind of their own and enjoy sleeping 4 to 6 a room.

Palace Side Hotel—Kyoto, Japan
3 stars
While visiting this hotel, you’ll enjoy free Internet access in the lobby, laundry facilities and friendly staff.  Make sure not to eat or drink in the lobby and double check the volume on your alarm clock before bed.

Nagoya Station Hotel—Nagoya, Japan
2 stars
Located within one or two blocks of the Nagoya Train Station, The Station Hotel is surrounded by the local red light district.  The rooms are set-up like an apartment and accommodates up to 6 people.

(Ryokan #2)—Tokyo, Japan
3 stars
Don’t judge this hotel by the tiny lobby, hidden staircase or strange cleaning schedule. It is a great little getaway from the hustle and bustle of the city.  Make time for yourself and relax as you enjoy the roof-top bath. Great shopping is just around the corner, so also make sure you get out and see the beautiful city.

Cara P

Whitney T