Travel | Travel
Aug.31.2012
I was sitting in the departure room of the train station, waiting to watch the train leave. I was in the area for other reasons, but I like watching trains come and go. I give this trait to Kafka in my novel about him, and (without checking) no longer know if he really enjoyed this, or if I assumed...
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Aug.31.2012
Female lions are more predatory than males. They will stalk you, loan you nothing, not even a chance. No matter how beautiful they are, the last things you will see are fangs and claws.
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Aug.29.2012
The following essay was adapted from my book, "Perfume Dreams: Reflections on the Vietnamese Diaspora" in the section called Viet Kieu (Vietnamese living overseas). A version of it was also adapted for a commentary on NPR's All Things Considered. Also embedded between the text are...
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Aug.29.2012
While Boochi is excited and the surprises are growing, so is the dark secret that is looming in the shadows. Soon she will learn all about the treasure chest, with all the history and mystery that surrounds it.
Get ready for the next volume, as the adventure only starts with the treasure.
Only...
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Aug.29.2012
While Boochi is excited and the surprises are growing, so is the dark secret that is looming in the shadows. Soon she will learn all about the treasure chest, with all the history and mystery that surrounds it.
Get ready for the next volume, as the adventure only starts with the treasure.
Only...
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Aug.28.2012
Deir-Ez-Zur in the Syrian desert, near the Iraqi border, not so many years ago: a modern hotel filled with muscular, sunburned American men working in the oil fields. A few European businessmen were staying there, too. No other Americans, except us.
Each evening, shirt sleeves...
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Aug.23.2012
Getting off the train in Prague in 1988 was stepping into a Kafka story – or a film noir of dark streets, decaying buildings, aggressive shadows, and a constant suspicion that hidden eyes watched. The old train station near the top of Wenceslas Square spilled us onto a flight of grimy steps...
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Aug.23.2012
“One must maintain a little bit of summer, even in the middle of winter.” –Henry David Thoreau
Tired of the air conditioning and needing fresh air, I recently opened one of my kitchen windows and I heard them. I sighed. The sweetness of the familiar summer sound mingled with the...
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Aug.21.2012
I hate the grocery store.
I like having food, but the process of shopping for it is annoying and don't even get me started on the unpacking and putting away business.
Michael cooks and...he likes to buy the food. Perfect right?
It would be, except lately he invites me to go with him, cruise...
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Aug.19.2012
Why, people ask, do I wander the world? Why do my wife and I spend time in other countries, seek out places that are different from those we’re used to and are comfortable in?
To start with, traveling gives us perspective. As we engage with the world, we come to realize that our...
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