I met An at a hospital in Alexandria, Virginia of all places, at my son’s bedside during his stay in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. She was one of his nurses and, like most who are drawn to that profession, treated me with quiet compassion. It was only after weeks of occasional small talk, usually about […]
Bridging the Gap
Street Food in Hanoi: A Crab-leidoscope of Flavors
The crowded alleys behind Hanoi’s massive Dong Xuan market are a labyrinth of street stalls, tiny shops, and tinier walkways. Throngs of shoppers jostle salesmen, tourists, and the occasional daring motorcycle as it weaves in and out of the masses. In the dizzying heat of the early afternoon sun, two women sit curbside, a basket of steamed crabs between […]
Muay Thai not Mai Thai: Learning to Love Sporting Events Overseas
I hate to say it, but I’m not really a sports person. It may be un-American, but I didn’t attend my first professional football game until my mid-twenties, and despite being a member of my high school marching band and therefore present at many high school football games, I still struggle to understand the rules. Add […]