We stumble out of the van and gently nudge the doors closed. Muggy heat confronts us as we mark the transition from mountain air to inland basin heat. heat is coming The grand hall beckons, buses rowed in pause as they traverse Sapa and Hanoi. There’s a selection of snacks bookshelved by two 3000 Dong …
Author Archives: Radutti
On Cleanliness
You don’t know what you value until you’ve had a chance to experience more of the world. I often encourage the boys to branch out, to go forth, to see what’s around the corner Because there is so much more. Growing up in North America I didn’t realize what I was missing. Cuisine, clothing, history. …
I know who I am
“Real isn’t how you are made,” said the Skin Horse Some weeks, we ask questions of ourselves And the questions cut deep Rend Wound Our insecurities confront us Expose us Ask us to Show them who you are And sometimes, the question demands Cowering And retreat. But (No, not but) And it is in the …
Route
So many cattle They huddle together amongst the green, seemingly for warmth But surely that can’t be why, on this muggy spring day. Community, perhaps. Connection. Kinship. And as our bus swings by, I respect these Vietnamese bovine bros. Until I have a moment of…self-consciousness, or maybe simply awareness, or possibly even cowed sheepishness, as …
Bun cha
It’s the perfect combination of sweet and savory. I nod in the direction of the woman in the red apron and take my place on the square blue plastic chair, knees raised slightly above the height of the stool. It’s mere seconds between when I sit down to when the plates of food arrive. The …
Unit
It’s a drizzly night. Seems Moldy March is hitting its stride. I pull the bike up the curb and roll along the sidewalk, easing to stop as I lever the kickstand out. I jump off to grab some cash from the ATM There’s no one around It’s late Wait. Actually, there is one being here …
Red Eye
I’m a bit harried this morning. Helmet on, check. Laptop inside bag, check. Door unlocked, check. I know that S will shut things down so once I step outside I can just get going. I close the door, straddle the motorbike, and ease it backwards through the narrow patio. It’s a bit wet on the …
Caught
I’ll see you at home Wait Let’s ride together You go too slow I don’t, though. I think to myself He responds Your bike is way faster than mine, but I still drive faster than you do. I mean You need to drive carefully, you know that, right? He shrugs it off. A teenage moment, …
I Love My Red Shoes
I step outside to see how many leaves are on the patio. It’s not too bad, actually This time of year many of the trees around take a nap. They slumber and twitch and lose their leaves. It’s a signal that soon, heat is coming. I pull my hands up around the laminated pillar as …
Seven
I have quads I could have had quads too if I played it differently! We’ve just sat down to dinner and the cards are on the table for a quick game of Pepito. Dealt like Bridge or Hearts, you arrange your 13 cards into 3 hands in ascending order. 3,5,5. It’s the perfect, fun distraction …
Get Up Eight 