How Many Languages are Spoken in the U.S. Exactly?

by Jamie Rhein on

Every year I find someone to talk with in Wolof, the language I learned when I was a Peace Corps volunteer in The Gambia. Mostly, what I manage to conjure up are the greetings and part of a health talk I used to give. “Today I want to talk with you about the road to good health.” I also know how to say, “Oh, that’s too expensive. Reduce it a little.” I can probably still get my laundry done.

Whenever I run into a Wolof speaker, there is a sense of delight and surprise that we’ve found each other. The first time I met up with a Wolof speaker in the U.S. was about a year after the Peace Corps when I was eating dinner at Boone Tavern in Berea, Kentucky.

My waiter was from The Gambia, something I found out after I noticed his accent and asked him where he was from. When I started rattling off Wolof greetings, he was momentarily thrown off guard, particularly since I had lived near his hometown.

Since Berea is a small town at the edge of Appalachia, I’m sure the last person he thought he would meet when he went to work that day was an American woman who knew Wolof. I was just as excited to find him. Since then, most of the Wolof speakers I’ve run into in the U.S. have been from Senegal.

I don’t know how many Wolof speakers there are in the United States, but I’ve found a Web site, Languages of the World with some interesting U.S language statistics.

Here they are:

  • Number of languages spoken in the U.S.: 311.
  • Those languages indigenous to the U.S: 162
  • Those that are immigrant languages: 149
  • There are 14 million households in the United States where English is not the primary language.

Paying Homage to Kerouac in his Hometown

by Neil Woodburn on

I’m just now beginning to catch up on all the press surrounding the recent 50th anniversary of Jack Kerouac’s On the Road.

Last week we posted about retracing the literary steps of main characters Sal Paradise and Dean Moriarty. This week we focus in on a specific location; Lowell, Massachusetts, the birth place of Kerouac.

In my opinion, it’s always fascinating to see where an author grew up and the surroundings which would later have such an impact on his writing style. These impressionable years of youth are usually the ones that turn an author introspective and fires up those creative juices.

Like most small towns, Lowell actively promotes their favorite son to attract tourists–despite his rather morally loose character and poor role model material. Visitors to the city of 105,000 can enjoy Jack Kerouac walking tours, Kerouac Park, and Edson Cemetery where the author is buried.

Perhaps the most notable reason to visit Lowell right now, is that the legendary scroll upon which he hammered out the first draft of On the Road is currently being displayed until October 14.

Temples and National Parks of Thailand

by Jamie Rhein on

Much of Thailand’s cultural history and art is found in its temples. There is a mix of ancient temples that function as museums. Built centuries ago, they remain as indicators of just how long grandness has existed here and are one way to trace the conflicts that arose in the country. Parts of temples were destroyed in war, such as with Ayuthaya, now a UNESCO site. It was once the commercial capital of Thailand, then Siam, until it was trounced by the Burmese. There are still many Buddha statues with heads intact in this extensive complex. This video by Glenn Keisel on You Tube has some wonderful shots of various temples and national parks around the country. Ayuthaya is included. The photos aren’t labeled so you won’t know exactly which photos are from which temples, but this will give you a taste of temple hopping. The traditional Thai music makes for a perfect background.

Japan’s Leaf Peeping Splendor

by Jamie Rhein on

Leaf Peeping in Ohio is probably going to be a big bust this year. It’s been 90 degrees lately, and today’s temperature drop may be a little too late. Basically, we’re looking at a fall of mostly dull yellow and brown. Perhaps, Japan will have more luck.

While I was hunting for links to leaf viewing via vintage trains, I came across details about Japan’s autumn splendor on a Frommer’s Web site. In the Honshu region of the country, colors pop out in the fall. I went to Nara on a day trip from Kyoto in the middle of summer when the maple trees around the temples were thick with green leaves. In October and November, they become brilliant orange and red around Todaiji Temple.

Kyoto, where I became obsessed with going to as many temples as I could for some reason, has ginko trees galore. They were green when I saw them, but, according to Frommers, become an awesome yellow in November. Frommers also recommends Kamakura and Nikko for their leaves. Not just their leaves. The temples–yep, I hit them–are wonderful. Nikko is has the famous one of the see no, hear no, speak no evil monkeys. I went to both towns as day trips out of Tokyo. (I had a free place to stay in Tokyo, so in the seven days I spent in Japan I only stayed overnight elsewhere once. Kyoto was it.)

The Kyoto Tourism Federation also has a section dedicated to leaf viewing. November is also the month with the best colors according to this source. In addition to places to see in Kyoto, several towns are listed, along with what to see when you go there. One suggestion is Nagaokakyo, which is quite close to Kyoto and the site of this lovely photo.

Confucius’s Birthday: Wise Travel

by Jamie Rhein on

Confucius’s birthday, according the events listing calendar of the Hong Kong Tourism Board’s Web site isn’t until October 7. I thought it was today. The calendar I have marked it as today, but I’ll go with the tourism board. Unless, we go with this other source that says that in the Western calendar, Confucius’s birthday is today. Today is also National Teacher’s Day in China. Since Confucius was a wise teacher and philosopher, I’d say this is a fitting tribute.

Confucius, who lived 551 BCE-479 BCE, is responsible for promoting the ideas still central to Chinese thought. For example, your own well-being comes from respect for parents and family. And that guarding your mind guards your actions. These are pretty simplistic descriptions, I know, but read here for more.

In Beijing, the Temple of Confucius is also the Beijing Capital Museum. This temple is smaller than the Temple of Confucius in Qufu, Confucius’s hometown and is the third largest ancient architectural complexes in China. If you go here, expect festivities–which, I bet, includes food.

Here’s a Confucius saying I found that fits travel: Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.