From the very first moment I looked at Marta Kisiliczyk’s paintings, I couldn’t take my eyes off them. The more I looked at those paintings, the more I was drawn into an artistic world of bizarre colours and shapes: a fierce and intense red, a calm hue of blue, a relaxing green and a joyous … Continue reading Soulful Polish artist who loves to paint nature
Humble plants turned to pleasant edible art
Huế-based celebrated cook Mai Thị Trà has eaten a strict vegetarian diet since the historic flooding which left hundreds dead in the city in 1999. Prior to the flooding, she ate veggie food for only two to 10 days a month as part of her Buddhism. However, after the flooding, she went to help the monks at a nearby … Continue reading Humble plants turned to pleasant edible art
Con Dao – A summer paradise
Even with my eyes closed, I can still imagine the peacefully mesmerising blue colour of the ocean, the shining sun caressing my neck and the relaxing breeze kissing my cheeks. Con Dao was such a summer paradise, a perfect end for my one-month trip. Yet it took me by surprise. I didn't put much hope … Continue reading Con Dao – A summer paradise
As long as we love
It is never easy to say goodbye in love, for both those who say this and those who have to listen to this. Even when you have been hurt so much, it is never easy. Because of the vacancy that stays when the other one has gone. You would long for yesterday when they were … Continue reading As long as we love
Stitch arts for the soul
While looking for a new hobby a few years ago, Russian designer Katerina Lamteva, or Kate, came upon embroidery and fell in love with the art instantly. She decided to organise a weekend embroidery workshop to share her knowledge and connect people through embroidery. Her class runs from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays at Craft … Continue reading Stitch arts for the soul
Street treats that make a trip to An Giang sweet
Two kinds of cakes made from simple local ingredients show the diverse culture of An Giang – a Mekong Delta province and also one of the most mysterious and mesmerising places in Việt Nam. Both cakes are bánh bò or steamed rice cake. The most renowned one is bánh bò thốt nốt (steamed rice cake with palm sugar paste), while … Continue reading Street treats that make a trip to An Giang sweet
An oasis for veggie-lovers in Cà Mau
An Lạc Vegetarian Restaurant is only quiet between 2pm and 5pm because that’s a time when everyone has a rest. Over the course of the rest of the day, the tiny outlet bursts at the seams. Countless people come in and out all day every day, dining-in or taking-away. The two chefs work non-stop, as … Continue reading An oasis for veggie-lovers in Cà Mau
Stories told from threads on a loom
With colours as words and patterns as metaphors, ethnic Chăm artisans in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang passionately create stories through weaving. Saymah is working on a handloom when I visit her family’s craft shop. She is among the experienced weavers of the Chăm community in Phũm Soài Village in Tân Châu District. Her … Continue reading Stories told from threads on a loom
“Was I good enough for you?”
“Did you think that I was good enough for you?”. Someone asked me this question not long ago. I am not talking about my answer or related events leading to that question. What I am going to say is that it reminded me of some ideas of existentialism. According to existentialists, when human beings experience … Continue reading “Was I good enough for you?”
Is literature an escape from reality?
For some people, literature is an escape from reality, to journey to a far away land, to be free from the responsibilities of this world. For me, literature is an escape too, but in the end, the escape leads me back to myself, to be closer to myself to some extend. It is an escape … Continue reading Is literature an escape from reality?
