Sichuan Hot Pot (the dish Chengdu is best known for) has four major components: Sichuan peppercorns, hot oil, hot oil, and hot oil. It’s beyond delicious. But.. it is also mostly oil. Oil, garlic, chives, and the kind of spices that…
Bags of Beer and Skewers of Squid
Last weekend, for the first time in nearly four months, I saw a sky teeming with stars. Shivering and wrapping myself tighter in my plaid scarf – the one that so closely resembles an afghan – rapidly losing feeling my fingers (and for…
Bags of Beer and Skewers of Squid
Last weekend, for the first time in nearly four months, I saw a sky teeming with stars. Shivering and wrapping myself tighter in my plaid scarf – the one that so closely resembles an afghan – rapidly losing feeling my fingers (and for…
Hot Dog Bar Shop and other Silly Things
Nestled three doors down from my new apartment is the Hot Dog Bar Store (we call it hot dog bar shop for short, though yes, we know it’s inaccurate). Part Western-grocery store selling expired chocolate chips and vanilla soymilk, part actual…
What it's like to live in Russia
I’ve written about What it’s like to live in China. I’ve also written about The overwhelming devastation of getting Russia. Now, it’s my turn to (try to) figure out what life is like in Russia. —————————————————- The Moscow I remember…