-
Site Launching
Just getting started. Bear with me while we prepare some real content. This site is my “author” page. It will be devoted to writing — okay, particularly my writing, though not exclusively. Also publishing, both as it pertains to me individually; to Stonehaven Press (the publishing company founded by my wife, Cheri, and me); and…
-
Seoul Pancake
May 9, 2012 (Tuesday) â Apologies to Rainn Wilson for the pun on his wacky, wonderful website. But facing a 13-hour layover in Seoul, Korea, I was ready to disclaim any further responsibility for anything. Then Zabine and I got a clue: We remembered our Vietnamese home-stay host telling us of a terrific five-hour tour of Seoul we could…
-
Vietnam Exit
May 9, 2012 (Tuesday) â Most of the past week â another blur. Our official reason for being in Vietnam ended with last weekendâs celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Hanoi Bahaâi community. Normally we would have headed for home immediately. Did I explain that the earliest return flight turned out to be more…
-
Ridvan â and a Hanoi Tamale(?)
May 2, 2012 (Wednesday) â Still Wednesday: After our visit to the Ho Chi Minh Memorial, Zabine and I were taken to the home of a Vietnamese National Spiritual Assembly member (Duyen). Other Bahaâis were gathering, and only after some time did we realize that the purpose was to pray in celebration of a Bahaâi…
-
Vietnam Wednesday
May 1-2, 2012 (Tuesday and Wednesday) â Tuesday, for me, was a blur. Part of the day I felt weak from what may have been heat exhaustion, or some bug, or adrenaline overdose. Who knows? I stayed home and slept it off while Zabine ran around Vietnam having adventures. Felt great to unwind. But Wednesday…
-
Vietnam Villages, Hanoi Hospitality
April 30, 2012 (Monday) â Today we traveled to two neighboring villages in the Vietnamese countryside, conducting home visits with the believers who live there. Lunch, served at the home of a Bahaâi friend, consisted of delicacies I didnât even try to identify. All I know is that it was lavish and delicious. As we…
-
Blending in in Vietnam
One faithful reader complains of difficulty in picking out my friend Zabine from the group photos posted here. The reason is that Zabine and I, as seasoned world travelers, have learned to blend into a crowd of Vietnamese. Hereâs a picture of the two of us blending in. Zabine, youâll notice, does it better than…
-
Hanoi: Baha’i 20th Anniversary Images
-
Hanoi: Baha’i 20th Anniversary
April 29, 2012 (Sunday) â For Zabine Maryam (Linkins) Van Ness, this has been a journey of 20 years. For me, it only felt like one. We arrived Sunday morning at the hotel in Hanoi where the Bahaâi community was gathering to celebrate the 20th anniversary of its founding. Stunning floral arrangements were everywhere. Many of…
-
Vietnam: Hanoi Beginnings
April 29, 2012 (Sunday) â As I have explained, the stated reason Zabine Van Ness and I are in Vietnam is that the Hanoi Bahaâi community, on the 20th anniversary of its founding, wanted to honor Zabine for her role in that seminal event. That âstatedâ reason is of course their reason â and a…
-
Historic, Healing Heartsongs
April 29, 2012 (Sunday) â Simple acts of kindness are miraculously effective at bridging deep divides. Among the many miracle workers we have met in Hanoi are Michael Orona; his wife, Selena; and their three children. These beautiful Bahaâi souls made history at the 20th Anniversary celebration of the founding of the Hanoi Bahaâi community.…
-
Vietnam Rice Dance
April 29, 2012 (Sunday) â Today is the big day of our trip, the reason we came: the 20th anniversary celebration of the founding of Hanoiâs Bahaâi community. I have a lot of notes and photos to document this milestone and will upload them Any Day Now. But while Iâm organizing, please enjoy this video…