Capital with a C
The bright lights of evening cover darkness with glitter. In the corner a Casino beckons the impoverished to wager on better days ahead. Under the strobing red lights of evening young women and men offer Read More …
Silk Lessons
Twisting 1024 strands of hair-thin natural silk into threads has been a rattling machine task since the turn of the century. Raw silk wound into silk thread. In the beginning it was very good. After Read More …
Black Sand and Rice
The rice husks are used to heat the empty bowl. The black volcanic sand is added along with a few spoons of Cocunut oil. The entire wok is slowly heated to a scalding temperature. No Read More …
Made in Vietnam
The multiple sewing machines set in a grid speak like Sister Carrita hinted. The multiple images are more powerful than any single image. In the sixties this was a break with tradition. Redundancy was out. Read More …
Wanna Be Paris
The post office in Ho Chi Minh City was claimed to be designed by Gustave Eiffel (Yes of tower fame) and was under construction between 1886 aand 1891. Saigon desired the elements of gothic renaissance Read More …
Temples, Scissors and Tradition
It would be easy, as we have done with indigenous peoples in Canada, to attempt to eradicate history with imperialist arrogance. However embedded in the streets surrounding the Thien Hau Temple is a way-of-life. There Read More …
Flowers, New Year and Motor Bikes
On the streets of Ho Chi Minh city motorized bikes carried cargo and people without regard for lights and law. Each ride a practical defiance to economic impossibility. The roar of flower power gone wild. Read More …
Landing
The tarmac was rougher, almost macadamized, and jarred consciousness into my waking and 18 hour aching bones. I was going to cheer a movie line, “Good Morning Vietnam” but it was already evening. The sun Read More …
Hot from Garden to Table
Growers, bakers, florists, bean dryers and cooks gather to celebrate a weekly harvest. A cornucopia of goodness. Fresh every Saturday. Inside the hall fresh fish is being scaled, de scaled and sold. The Piri-piri peppers Read More …
Olhao – On the Waterfront
The boat, like the boy, captures the nature of Olhao. This is a fishing community. Old boats like fishermen are ever present in community. Tied to docks with new tethers. Sitting in coffee bars complaining Read More …