Dispatches from Da Nang as Vietnam fought the virus: lockdowns, rumors, kindness and the strange beauty of a city holding its breath. Also a book.
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To watch the news, catch up with friends on Facebook or even have a conversation with people back home. Everything seems to devolve into a political...
I can't help but feel partly responsible for the unfortunate news in this article. Through galactic-sized Karma meets cosmic conscience, I've jinxed...
I was hoping to write a follow-up to the Dragon Diaries from last week, and that it would be filled with success stories and the promise of a short...
We are coming to the end of our second week of lockdown here in Da Nang. Unfortunately, it would not be the end. Measures here have been more severe...
As of today it has been exactly one month since the first case of the second wave was reported in Da Nang. I wish I could say we were nearing the end...
It is Friday September 4th here in Da Nang. This is Dragon Diaries #6 - Light in the Tunnel. We have been on lockdown since July 26th, or was it the...
It went as fast as it came. We went from no cases to a complete lockdown within three days. After a six-week lockdown, we have gone from intense...
If you read regularly then you know I use the Dragon Diaries posts to offer real time information on happenings in Vietnam. The Constant Epicurean...
In the last Dragon Diaries we were dealing with Typhoon Noul. It came and went, and the weather actually improved. It is monsoon season, but after...
If you have already read #9 then you know Da Nang and central Vietnam have had a rough bout of storms. What I didn't know as I was publishing the...
I can't seem to get off of the tropical storm topic, but they can't seem to stop coming. Within a few days of Nangka's dissipation, Saudel would...
Dragon Diaries #12 - Here comes the sun. In this, the 12th edition of a 20 part series about living in Vietnam during the pandemic and the worst Typhoon season in recorded history, we uncover the realities of life in constant rain and living with the pandemic as a foreigner in a foreign land.
I did not realize how long it has been since my last post. I have a Christmas, New Year, and general post in the process, but I have just failed in...
Well, what can I say. The Constant Epicurean site is devoted to mostly travel, culture, history, food, and all those things that are dear to my...
Dragon Diaries #15 - The Fall of Hanoi. I deal with a real threat and try to seek medical treatment. Vietnam struggles with its 4th wave. Featured Image photo by Bergkinder on Unsplash.
Dragon Diaries #16 - The Hammer Falls. Da Nang prepares for total lockdown for seven days as the Delta variant brings Vietnam to its knees.
Dragon Diaries #17 - 7=3+10. In this edition we begin to struggle with extended shut-ins and food shortages as the Delta Variant rages on. Martial law is declared in parts of the country, shut-ins get extended, and cases spiral out of control.
The Constant Epicurean Ep. 194, and Dragon Diaries #18. A celebration of over 200 articles, 20 articles late, in tribute to Norm Macdonald. Things Begin to loosen up here, and passage to the US draws near.
Dragon Diaries #19 - The Hope Constant. In this edition, we travel to, and return from Saigon a little unsure, but incredibly hopeful. Some things go our way, some things don't. But only time will tell the ultimate fate of our future.
Dragon Diaries #20 - The Long Journey Home. In this, the final edition of the Dragon Diaries, we have several setbacks but get back on track for the long flight to the US. We say goodbye to family and friends, and the saddest of all Fozzie.
