Stop and Smell the Roses

This photo was taken in 2008 on the train between Manzhouli and Harbin, China. Sometimes you have to stop to smell the roses. The rose has been used to display love since the ancient Greeks and Romans both used it to symbolize their goddesses of love, Aphrodite and Venus.

Naka River Lovers

This photo was taken in 2007 along the Naka River in Fukuoka, Japan. Fukuoka is home to over 90 love hotels, most of which are located in the Hakata and Tenjin districts. Love Hotels are places where Japanese couples go to get privacy and be intimate. Privacy in the Japanese home can be difficult since many Japanese men, women, and couples live with their parents. The reason for this is the closeness of the Japanese family. Japanese children are expected to care for the parents when they become elderly and having them in the home is the easiest way to provide care. Of course, this is not true for all people, but it is not uncommon to have a family of 3 generations under the same roof.