Think of the following set of words:\u00a0Dark, narrow, dirty, dead end, dangerous, service entry, garbage, crime<\/p>\n
What comes to mind?<\/p>\n
Now think of this set of words:\u00a0Delicious, commercial, community, laundry, colorful, bubble tea, hang out, worship<\/p>\n
Do you think these two places could be one and the same?\u00a0Yes and No.<\/p>\n
The word is the same, but the reality is different in Vietnam than in America. \u00a0The place is an alley, and the former is commonly associated with America and the latter with Vietnam.<\/p>\n
In Chicago, I wouldn\u2019t think about spending more than 5 minutes in an alley alone.\u00a0 Feelings of isolation come to mind, and a strong urge to run away, like a child in a dark basement.\u00a0 On the other hand, in Vietnam, I look forward to my time in the alley by the guesthouse.\u00a0 At first glance it is just a place to get cheap food, but a farther look will reveal a special community where children play, neighbors wave and sometimes bicker.<\/p>\n
But, life in an alley, what a strange concept?<\/p>\n
In fact, I would argue that many necessities we believe are apart of life are found in the one block distance of the alley.\u00a0 I realized this when I decided to sit down at the Take Away Coffee Shop to observe and sketch the alley.\u00a0 In the alley you will find many homes, and many businesses on the first floor.\u00a0 I eat Banh Coun for breakfast in a Vietnamese family of sisters\u2019 home restaurant almost every day.\u00a0 Shelter and food are obvious necessities. Another one can be found in several \u201cconvenience stores.\u201d WATER.\u00a0 Other beverages such as: tea, coffee, fresh squeezed juice, and smoothies are sold as well.\u00a0 Home tailored clothing and shoe stores, open on Saturday and Sunday, have reasonable prices.\u00a0 The laundry lady is centrally located on the left hand side.\u00a0 Those who are Buddhist can pray in the small pagoda, found past the entrance on the right hand side.\u00a0 Children can go to school just outside of the alley and return home in the afternoon to play with friends.\u00a0 Over holidays, households host parties.\u00a0 When a death in the family occurs, the family will host a 2-5 day mourning period and welcome others to drink or spend time together.\u00a0 If someone needs to venture into the city, the bus stop is right there.\u00a0 All good things are found in alley 18.<\/p>\n
When I think more of the alley, I think of my suburban hometown.\u00a0 Although an alley and an American suburb look different and are two vastly different sizes, they serve similar purposes.\u00a0 When I expressed apprehension to eat in the alley back in August, my roommate, Oanh, gave me a little encouragement beyond \u201cjust DO IT.\u201d\u00a0 Oanh told me \u201cthe dirtier you eat, the healthier you are.\u201d\u00a0 I don\u2019t know how much \u201chealthier\u201d I am, but I do enjoy the Vietnamese alley experience.\u00a0\u00a0 It is one of the quirks that makes my life Vietnam different than in Chicago.<\/p>\n
Xin Chao,<\/p>\n
Stephanie<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Think of the following set of words:\u00a0Dark, narrow, dirty, dead end, dangerous, service entry, garbage, crime What comes to mind? Now think of this set of words:\u00a0Delicious, commercial, community, laundry, colorful, bubble tea, hang out, worship Do you think these two places could be one and the same?\u00a0Yes and No. The word is the same, … <\/p>\n