Down by the Mekong delta (Vietnam)
Everything burns during the day in the delta. I spend that time sleeping. At night, when it’s cooler, I walk to the river. The breeze carries the distant thumps of motorboats crossing the water. I meet others like me who have come to enjoy the cool air. Sometimes they stop by for a small chat.
As I reach the junction I will see the night street food vendors and their stalls. This is my stopover. Most vendors sell only one dish. I just have to pause long enough in front of a cart, and the seller will starts preparing my meal. A small plastic chair appears as if by magic. No matter how packed it is, they'll always make room for me.
It's as if the universe was created, life unfolded, and humans evolved into different cultures, just so that on nights like this, you can overload your senses with sticky rice spicy chicken, distant boat sounds, and the lovely faces illuminated by the glow of the soft food stall lights.
