Category Archives: travel

Vietnam 2018

Posted on May 12, 2018 by The soup lady

No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man. – Heraclitus Vietnam used to feel so far away from my life in the US. Not only is it … Continue reading →

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Vacation cooking

Posted on March 5, 2016 by The soup lady

Many people go on vacation to escape the everyday, including cooking. They go to luxurious resorts or hotels and eat out daily, sometimes for all three meals.  The Soup-er family doesn’t do that. Ever since we’ve had children, we have … Continue reading →

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Losing the elephant

Posted on July 13, 2015 by The soup lady

It took me nearly six months to plan our trip to Vietnam.  Airfare, lodging, transportation, tours, visas, itinerary–it all took a while to come together.  Add to that all the complications of traveling with a large group that included 4 … Continue reading →

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The Untangling

Posted on June 2, 2015 by The soup lady

It’s been a month since we’ve returned from Vietnam and I haven’t been able to compose a decent post to document any part of the experience.  The combination of post-vacation catch up and juggling hasn’t left much time for thought … Continue reading →

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Time and place

Posted on April 19, 2015 by The soup lady

This is our third and final day in Hanoi and I’ve been trying to figure out these feelings of déjà vu.  I’ve been here before many times, many years ago. Back then I never ventured very far from the Hoan Kiem and Old Quarter, … Continue reading →

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Fine dining

Posted on June 18, 2013 by The soup lady

When I was growing up, fancy meals were the stuff of wedding Chinese banquets–or rather, Chinese-American versions of the ten course meals complete with a large platter of lobster with scallion and ginger at the end. (Please don’t ask me … Continue reading →

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“The best vacation ever”

Posted on May 5, 2013 by The soup lady

“This is the best vacation ever.” Those were the words spoken by Soup-er Boy about our recent trip to Tulum, Mexico. High praise indeed from a well-traveled seven year-old.  This trip marked our family’s first trip south of the border, … Continue reading →

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Family: the food, the bad, and the ugly

Posted on March 4, 2013 by The soup lady

We recently visited my family in LA, and as usual, the visit churned up a host of conflicting emotions. I have never had the best relationship with my mother, whose perspective and understanding of life is so very different from … Continue reading →

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Europe part 3(ish): Soup-er Boy’s Paris

Posted on October 6, 2012 by The soup lady

I love traveling with our children.  Yes, I’ve frequently outlined all the challenges of family travel, but there is nothing more amazing than seeing the world through the eyes of your children. I know that all of my parent readers … Continue reading →

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Europe part 2: the Dordogne

Posted on September 27, 2012 by The soup lady

I just don’t know how they do it.  I am, of course, talking about the French and their remarkable ability to maintain picture-perfect villages and a bucolic countryside.  There were no subdivisions, no Walmarts, and barely a building over three … Continue reading →

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