Travels

His pride in being part of this history. His respect for his ancestors. His love for what makes this country what it is - with all its contradictions, scars and hopes.

They let us smell before we tasted. A small portion first. Laughing, patiently, as if they were giving us not just a meal, but a piece of home. Suddenly nothing was foreign anymore. They enjoyed it at least as much as we did. Maybe even more than I wanted another portion. It was so delicious!

What might seem like “sloppy behavior” to us is an expression of closeness, comfort and down-to-earthness there. In Vietnam, coziness often means barefoot - even in a café or on a plastic chair at the Pho.

There were so many steps to the top with lots of breaks to catch my breath. Just like my life is going at the moment... Many strenuous steps and at least as many breaks to catch my breath