Hyatt
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The world’s poor seem to bear the brunt of typhoon destruction more than the world’s rich. They live in The Ring of Fire. Can’t afford to move anywhere and now can’t go home. Disaster relief is needed. But long-term and sustained recovery takes time. We have come up with pre-fab housing that can withstand heavy…
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In front of Eden mall, Saigon, Christmas ornaments are on display. People here love to come and take pictures. It’s a tradition. It’s their annual pilgrim, blending East and West (Noel decorationas prelude to Tet’s celebration). Sidewalks still uneven. Tourists still trip over loosed bricks. Yet they keep coming. The other boulevard (Ham Nghi) with Old…
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My friend had a square jaw. When he laughed, his features became more pronounced. Already taller than most, he carried himself above the fold. Not all kids in my school went to the Conservatory. You had to have talent. For that brief year in 7th grade, he joined us at music practice. “Can you play…
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During lunch time at my first job (Child Welfare Bureau at Indian Town Gap, PA), we threw a football, my first. That was supposed to be my induction into the Penn State culture the following Fall. Here in Vietnam, at lunch time, I walk by a casket store. As equally shocking for foreigners as my…
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I attended Quyen Thien Dac and the Nilsson Trio (Jazz) performance a while ago. Cultural exchange. But “fant” or on-the-dime invention is not new here. Saigon traffic has already been jazzy, zigzagging at every turn. I was with friends. He himself brought an ensemble of jazz men to Vietnam a while back. Mighty proud of my friend…
Thang Nguyen 555 