Life

Vietnam – Days in our Lives

I’ve had some delays in publishing my normal Constant posts lately. I get a paragraph or two in, and another storm comes along, or our business just consumes a large amount of my time. We have fallen into an incredibly familiar pattern.… continue reading Read More

Da Nang Dragon Diaries Life Struggle Vietnam

Dragon Diaries #11 – The Tropical Blues

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 follow in her wake. More rain for the region, more floods, more disasters. I must say that the response has been impressive.… continue reading Read More

Da Nang Dragon Diaries Life Nature Struggle Vietnam

Dragon Diaries #8 – Typhoon Noul

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 Posts are often written weeks after the events, so the Dragon Diaries gives me an outlet for real time updates.… continue reading Read More

Da Nang Dragon Diaries Life Struggle Vietnam

Dragon Diaries #6 – Light in the Tunnel

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 27th? I can’t be sure. I know that it has been almost 6 weeks of Netflix, Prime, YouTube, Zoom meetings, and anything else we could find to pass the time.… continue reading Read More

Da Nang Hue Life Travel Vietnam

Departing Huế – Home to Da Nang

This post is, of course, written of experiences a few weeks back. As many of my regular readers know things have turned quickly here in Vietnam. No community transmissions, zero deaths on July 27. A week later the number of community transmissions is in the hundreds with 6 deaths.… continue reading Read More

Ho Chi Minh City Life Saigon Travel Vietnam

Saigon – The City of Two Names

An Update By the time I post “Saigon – The City of Two Names”, Diem and will I have run around Saigon for six days. We’ve spent time with her family. She has three brothers, two sister-in-laws and a couple of nieces here.… continue reading Read More

An Lao Life Travel Vietnam

A Feudal Gesture – Understanding Village Culture

The ways of the village are ancient. More ancient than I can even begin to fathom. Agrarian in nature and built on Confucian ideas, the culture has remained relatively unchanged for millennia. Yes, public works like water, electricity and even the internet have penetrated even the most rural of areas.… continue reading Read More

Da Nang Life Struggle Travel

Notes From Vietnam – Pandemic And Personal Observations

I have been in Vietnam now for 7 days. Within days of my arrival entry visas were canceled and all foreigners were to be turned away or diverted. I, in a sense, threaded the needle. Things were spiraling out of control back home in the states.… continue reading Read More

Da Nang Food Life Travel Vietnam

Home Coming – Returning to Diem

Uncertainty It’s been two and a half months and many uncertain developments since I last walked the streets of Da Nang. I would be lying if I said I wasn’t at least a little worried about what I would find. My entrance process had changed, my visa requirements had changed, It was obvious that the Vietnamese government was a bit apprehensive.… continue reading Read More

Chiang Mai Life Nature Thailand Travel

Bananas For Elephants – A Trek Through The Jungle.

The Constant Epicurean, Ep. 120, Bananas for Elephants - A Trek Through the Jungle. Today we explore the plight of the Asian Elephant. And we also take a look at the ancient relationship between domesticated Asian Elephants and their life partner handlers the Mahout. Read More