There are plenty of books about the long history of this land and its people. The broad stories they tell of emperors and generals, philosophy and invention, suffering and grandeur, are amazing and inspiring. They deserve your attention: these lessons are important to you and your child, because you are now a part of that history!

The big picture of a culture, however, is not just dates and names of famous people - it is made of billions of details. To investigate the past, for instance, archaeologists dig for pottery, decorations, charcoal, and writings, and use those to piece together what everyday life was like.

In this section, then, we will present to you some of the small stories and interesting pieces of today’s everyday life. These essays will give you some insights you won’t necessarily find in the guidebooks - but will be part of your life as soon as you step off the airplane. These are the little things you’ll be talking about with your child years from now...