-
Continue reading →: The Traveling Trunk: My Children’s Book!
Surprise! After nearly a year of work, I’m so excited to share that I’ve published my first children’s book! The Traveling Trunk follows cousins Leo, Emma, and Finn as they discover a mysterious trunk in their grandma’s attic. Each item they touch transports them to a different country and cultural…
-
Continue reading →: Markets, Bazaars, and Souks: Centers of Cultural Exchange
Walking through a busy market, you see vendors left and right, people arguing over prices, and the aroma of delicious food wafting through the air. Vendors are all over, selling textiles, food, fresh produce, and regional goods. However, markets are more than just places to shop. They are places where…
-
Continue reading →: Living with Volcanoes: Life on Iceland’s Westman Islands
The Westman Islands show how culture is shaped not only by traditions but also by the environment people call home. At first glance, the islands seem peaceful and picturesque, but beneath the surface lies one of Iceland’s most active volcanic regions. However, the community on the Westman Islands is so…
-
Continue reading →: From 2,000 to 28: The Story of Norway’s Stave Churches
On my recent trip to Norway, I visited two stave churches around the country. We visited the Borgund Stave Church and the Gol Stave Church. I was so grateful to have this experience as stave churches are few and far between in Norway nowadays. The stave churches may look small…
-
Continue reading →: The Importance of Food in Sri Lankan Cultural, Religious, and Ritual Practices: My Research Paper!
Over the past 6 months, I have been working on a research paper tied to Sri Lankan foods and ritual practices. Recently, the paper was published in the American Journal of Student Research, and I have linked the current issue below for anyone who wants to learn more about my…
-
Continue reading →: Tacit Knowledge
Do you remember when you first learned to ride a bike? I remember the day my neighbor held onto the end of my bike as I struggled to pedal around my cul-de-sac. But then, she let go, and I was doing it! I was riding my bike without training wheels!…
-
Continue reading →: Written in Tile: Portugal’s Story on the Walls
In my hometown, the train station is dully lit with grey benches up against plain brick walls. That bleak environment could not be more different than the São Bento Railway Station in Porto. This station is covered in intricately painted blue and white tiles that depict Portuguese history and local…
-
Continue reading →: Why Do Humans Wear Jewelry?
Did you know that jewelry predates the written language? Pieces like shell beads go back tens of thousands of years, long before the first alphabet was imagined. Today, it may seem that many people simple wear jewelry to accessorize their outfits; however, there is often a deeper meaning. Jewelry isn’t…
-
Continue reading →: Borrowed Traditions: What Cultural Diffusion Teaches Us About Ourselves
Think about the meal you ate that felt distinctly tied to culture or the last word you used without a second thought. Chances are, if you traced it back enough it did not start where you think it did. The taco truck staple of the cilantro lime bowl, the coffee…
-
Continue reading →: Food Traditions Across Sri Lanka’s Regions
Earlier, I talked about the deep relationship between food and the many aspects of a culture. Recently, I have been researching food traditions in Sri Lanka, and through this process, I’ve learned so much more about the country and its cultural practices. Being half Sri Lankan, this research feels especially…
“People without the knowledge of their past, history, origins, and culture is like a tree without roots” – Marcus Garvey
Hello,
I’m Maya
Welcome to Living in Culture, where I share everything from adventures around the world to experiences at my local museum! I hope you enjoy and realize how you truly are Living in Culture.
Join the fun!
Stay updated with the latest posts and ideas by joining our newsletter.
Living in Culture 