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I have seen them in Ao Dai, on scooters. I have seen them in Ao Dai, holding child, on scooters (perhaps on the way to childcare) before work. I have seen them with child canvassing the street selling lottery tickets. Perhaps I used to be that very child my teacher mom in Ao Dai used…
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From Saigon, with Russian-made fast boat, you can be in Vung Tau (literally Ship Harbor) in an hour and a half. I made that trip yesterday. Poor man’s vacation. Peace-time R&R. The neighborhood used to be a hang-out place for GI’s, Australian, and every major news agents and double agents. Now the fight has moved on to…
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It would have been stuff taken from” The spy who came in from the cold.” For three months now, I have lived in the alley behind the local police station. My big brother would have fainted just to learn about it. He is a pharmacist, retiring, but still goes to work per diem. He was…
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Theme from Mahogany has a line “so many dreams just slipped through our hands”. Then “do you know where you’re goin to, do you like the things life is showin you”. I first heard that while drifting on Wake Island summer 75. Back then, I had one thing in mind: departure for the US. Now, the table…
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A Quoc Tri could be heard at Cafe Vuong Tron, GoVap on Sunday morning and M-evenings. Other nights, you can catch him at Cafe S, near Du Mien, in Phu Nhua District. This morning his band mate commented him on letting his hair out, and not pony-tailed. We even took an I-phone pic of him, with LOVE on black…
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I left W Palm Beach where some called “paradise” for Saigon alley. Going from beach to bunker, I got a bump up in the Happiness index. Costa Rica for example has led this chart for quite sometime. Vietnam, according to latest survey, ranked behind Costa Rica. In fact, having moved up on the Happiness Index, it is de-listed…
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When you are on a tourist visa, you have to keep renewing it every three months. Each stamp was like a certificate of completion of my self-education. I learned that: – my friend’s music students, blind or bright, respected and adored their dead teacher – dead people, in casket, still get his/her last chance to bow…
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Chewing gum jingle, and it seems to work: “looking for a brand new start”. Each day, we woke up to a start. Just like that first day out of our mother’s womb. Not knowing what to expect. Not knowing who to trust. Not knowing the future. Will it rain today? Or same ole sticky heat? Rain and tears…
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Chicago‘s If you Leave Me Now is easy to listen to,but hard to sing. “You take away a part of me”. Changes are necessary. Progress and modernity. More convenience, more amenities. Full service. One-stop shop. Once we have upgraded to some fancy levels, our memory muscles kick in full gear. Gotta get back on top.…
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According to Vietnamese legend, the Mountain God showed up early to ask for the Princess’ hand. The Sea God was half a step late. Hence, anger turned tsunami, Katrina, Fukushima etc…. Vietnam Central region always stands in the way of major storms. To endure and overcome natural disasters, people fabricated tales to assuage their own pain. Kids,…
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Thang Nguyen 555 