Why We Travel: Long Live the King, the Durian, and Cambodia’s National Beer

Annals of Memorable Meals: Angkor Beer, rice porridge, durian, and faith in a Kampong Thom town

Writing Other People’s Stories, Part III: Getting Out of the Way

Why telling a story in someone else’s voice is perhaps the biggest challenge of all—and the utmost (terrifying) privilege

Writing

Writing Other People’s Stories, Part II: All Great Features Are Profiles

When writing a profile, you’ll need to upend your assumptions and tour someone’s inner and outer life with radical openness.

Essays / Women / Writing

Writing Other People’s Stories, Part I: Empathy in First Person

Writing about other people’s lives is an exercise in trust, empathy, self-awareness and humility. We don’t always get it right, but it’s our job to keep trying.

Food / Travel

Why We Travel: Serendipitous Lunches

That time a Kazakh human-rights attorney invited us to a lunch of Russian dumplings at a Kampot, Cambodia roadside stand

Why We Read

I aimed for 50 books but only managed 37. But as I look back on a year of reading adventures, I can’t find failure anywhere.

Together Breakfast: Num Kruok

These savory coconut pancakes were Chantha Nguon’s favorite—and not just because of how they tasted.

A Tale of Two Plane Crashes

Hard Times and Not-So-Great Expectations in a Very Dickensian Aircraft Incident

8 Classic Orleans Parish Criminal Justice Cocktails

New Orleans leads the U.S. in wrongful convictions. Louisiana DAs have opposed criminal justice reform. I need a drink.

Khmer Home Cooking: Bobor Sam Jok

As part of our Slow Noodles project, Clara Kim cooks a delicious bobor sam jok—rice porridge with pork, garlic, ginger, and CHILI

A Resolution Rhyme for 2018

More quiet coffees at first blush of light.
More showing up to the pages to write…

Cambodian Connection

The assignment that launched two trips to Cambodia, a book project, and a life-changing friendship.

The Mariscada at the End of the World

Eating and Drinking Well on the Camino de Santiago

The Greenery

Ideas That Grow and Bloom