V  “Mom, we have to go, now!†Bionca pleaded while her father held their door open. Gaia shook together with the earth beneath her feet as she grabbed everything she thought might help. “Just grab the sword and let’s go! We don’t have time for this!†her daughter warned, desperation crawling into her sweet…
              Cambodian history elicits two very different reactions. On one hand, the impressive scope of the Angkor Empire, which built Angkor Wat and other surrounding temples, is awe-inspiring. On the other, the vestiges of the Khmer Rouge are heart-wrenching, especially as the repercussions still affect Cambodians today. Getting There and Around              We…
IV “Bionca! How many times do I have to tell you?! Get down from there!†Gaia chastised her six-year-old in exasperation. Bionca had grown into an unusual-looking child. Her skin was in splotches of Gaia’s own dark skin, mixed with the pale skin of her father. Similarly, her hair was a strange amalgamation of…
 III With a huff, Dr. Carlton dragged his last piece of equipment into the Durants’ home, the aroma of burnt lizard wafting through. He looked sadly from Gaia, rocking herself, to Brion, trying desperately to reach her, to their child, still struggling to remain alive. Its body temperature was not high enough, so…
The Philippines has had a tumultuous history, rarely having its own sovereignty. It has been ruled by Spain, Japan, and America. Spanish and American influences are prevalent. Many Spanish phrases are used alongside Tagalog, the indigenous language, and English education begins in the first grade. The predominant religion is Catholicism, first brought over by the…
For over 1,400 years, hot springs in the northern part of Hyogo have served the needs of bathers. Today, the town of Kinosaki is a charming traditional Japanese village. Walking along the river is breathtaking, especially at night when the streetlights are turned on. You can see (and join!) many people strolling in…
II Evading the authorities was exhausting. On top of that, Gaia’s first six months of pregnancy had been taxing. She oscillated rapidly between giddiness and terror. Vomiting was a twice-daily ordeal. Too many questions haunted her: Could a baby survive in this wasteland? Could they continue to dupe Zoran? Where were her parents? Gaia…
Looking to get away from everyone’s living and travel advice? Or maybe you need a break from current events? In short, you simply want a few minutes away from the real world. Welcome to The Refuge. This is the newest section of Hyogo Times, where we bring you works of fiction from our very own…