My Mekong

I WAKE FROM MY SHORT DOZE AND ASK THE DRIVER TO STOP. I SLIDE OPEN THE DOORS AND AM GREETED BY THE SUBTLE SCENT OF JASMINE RICE ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ROAD ARE FIELDS, COVERED WITH VIBRANT GREEN RICE PADDIES. I WALK ALONG THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITH MY FATHER, WHO TELLS ME HE CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN JASMINE AND STICKY RICE PURELY BY SNIFFING THEIR AROMA. WE WALK ALONG SNIFFING THE AIR. IT’S TRUE: THOUGH THE TWO PLANTS DO LOOK IDENTICAL, THEY SMELL QUITE DIFFERENT TO EACH OTHER. I LEARN SOMETHING NEW EVERY DAY.