Vol.277: How to Spend Solo Travel and Solo Time - Food is a ZIP File of Culture

Key

• Graeme Orange: A whisky brand that collaborated with florist AZMA to launch a co-branded product.
• Miyawaki Dan: A Japanese author. His work The Perseverance of Endless Journeys is recommended by the guest.
• Yurta: A traditional nomadic felt tent in Central Asia, especially in Uzbekistan.
• Plov: A national dish in Central Asia, similar to pilaf, and is a representative dish of Uzbekistan.
• Ayurveda: A traditional Indian medical system that emphasizes the balance of the body and mind.

Summary

In this episode of the J-WAVE podcast Sakuramura Mai, host Watanabe Kotaro invites model Uemura Mai to talk about food and travel. Uemura Mai shares her unique experience of solo travel, emphasizing the importance of having a conversation with oneself during the journey and delving deep into the local culture. She specifically mentions her trip to Uzbekistan, raving about the local Islamic architecture, desert scenery, and specialty cuisine. The two also discuss the food memories during travel and the cultural and historical information carried by food. Uemura Mai also shares her experience of trying to recreate the travel cuisine at home and the unique significance of food in connecting the past and the present.

Insights

This podcast showcases the various possibilities of travel. It's not just about sightseeing but also about deeply experiencing the local culture and having a conversation with oneself. Through carriers such as food and architecture, travelers can gain a deeper understanding of the connotations of different cultures and integrate them into their own life experiences. In addition, the program also explores the meaning of "solo travel", emphasizing the importance of finding oneself and enjoying freedom in solitude.

Views

01 "The Value of Solo Travel"

The greatest value of solo travel lies in the ability to arrange the itinerary entirely according to one's own wishes, focusing more on one's own feelings and experiences, and thus obtaining more profound travel memories.

02 "Food as a Bridge for Cultural Exchange"

Food is not just a treat for the taste buds but also an important way to understand the local culture, history, and society. By tasting local cuisine, one can more intuitively feel the differences and commonalities between different cultures.

03 "Travel as a Reflection on Daily Life"

Travel can help us break out of the framework of daily life and re-examine our lifestyle and values. Through the collision with different cultures and lifestyles, new thoughts and inspirations can be sparked.

In-depth

Uemura Mai's Travel Philosophy: Food, Architecture, and the Solitary Distance

In the latest episode of the J-WAVE podcast Sakuramura Mai, model Uemura Mai shares her unique insights into travel and food with host Watanabe Kotaro. Uemura Mai emphasizes that travel is not just about checking off destinations but more importantly, about deeply experiencing the local culture and having a conversation with oneself.

Solo Travel: A Journey of Conversing with Oneself

Uemura Mai is a seasoned lover of "solo travel". She believes that the greatest charm of solo travel lies in the ability to arrange the itinerary entirely according to one's own wishes, without being disturbed by others, and thus focusing more on one's own feelings and experiences.

"Traveling with friends is of course great, but traveling alone allows me to observe, feel, and discover those details that are easily overlooked more intently."

She shared that during her travels, she would choose destinations with cultural heritage, such as ancient cities with a long history and buildings with unique styles. By visiting these places, she can gain a deeper understanding of the local history, culture, and society.

Uzbekistan: Cultural交融 on the Silk Road

Among her many travel experiences, Uemura Mai specifically mentioned her trip to Uzbekistan in September last year. This country located in the heart of Central Asia was once an important hub on the Silk Road, boasting rich historical and cultural heritage.

Uemura Mai visited ancient cities such as Samarkand and Bukhara, admiring the exquisite Islamic architecture, including mosques and Islamic schools. She also had the unique experience of staying in a yurta in the desert, feeling the grandeur and tranquility of the desert.

"Uzbekistan is a charming country. It has both ancient historical culture and unique natural scenery. Here, I felt the交融 of different cultures and found inner peace."

In addition to the architecture and scenery, the food in Uzbekistan also left a deep impression on Uemura Mai. She tasted local specialty dishes such as plov, grilled meat, and various soups rich in spices. She also tried to recreate these dishes at home, integrating the memories of the trip into her daily life.

Food: A Bridge Connecting the Past and the Present

Uemura Mai believes that food is not just a treat for the taste buds but also an important way to understand the local culture, history, and society. By tasting local cuisine, one can more intuitively feel the differences and commonalities between different cultures.

"Each kind of food carries the memories of history and the inheritance of culture. Tasting food is like reading a book about the local culture."

She also shared her experience of trying to recreate the travel cuisine at home. She believes that by cooking these dishes, the memories of the trip can be reawakened and integrated into daily life.

The Meaning of Travel: Reflection and Growth

For Uemura Mai, travel is not just about sightseeing but more importantly, about reflecting on one's own lifestyle and values through travel.

"Travel can help us break out of the framework of daily life and re-examine our lives. Through the collision with different cultures and lifestyles, new thoughts and inspirations can be sparked."

She believes that travel is a process of self-discovery and self-growth. Through travel, we can better understand ourselves and the world.

Forward-looking Thinking

In today's increasingly globalized world, travel has become an indispensable part of people's lives. More and more people are beginning to pursue personalized and in-depth travel experiences. Like Uemura Mai, through carriers such as food and architecture, deeply experiencing the local culture and having a conversation with oneself is becoming a new travel trend.

In the future, as people continue to explore the meaning of travel, travel will not only be a form of leisure and entertainment but also an important way for self-improvement and cultural exchange.