A-Z Solomon's Compass Style: Vietnam


Welcome A-Z bloggers!
And everyone else, of course :)
My A-Z posts are all about my new book, SOLOMON'S COMPASS.
Read the A post to learn who AJ is.

This is Taylor again. AJ said he had to get some work done so I volunteered to finish up his duties here.

The Vietnam Conflict sounds like eons ago. Probably because it took place before I was born. I studied the time period in school, all the way through, given my major and my graduate degree. But you don't learn everything out of a book.

Uncle Randy was there with the Coast Guard on a Point boat. Other Coast Guard units were also participants. People tend to believe all we do is local and we aren't a "real" military service. No so.

Today we're present in several places around the globe and active in efforts to stop acts of piracy in the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean.

I could go on about the Coast Guard, but I promised to stick to Vietnam. Mostly :)

First I want to talk about the Vietnamese people. Rockport, Texas, the real Rock Harbor, was a relocation point for many Vietnamese families in the 1970s. About ten percent of Rockport's population today is of Vietnamese ancestry.

One former NFL player grew up in the area and played for Rockport-Fulton High School. He was the All Pro linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys - Dat Nguyen.

And don't get me started on Vietnamese food. Uncle Randy made his own versions, and I naturally assumed it was the real deal. Randy taught me to be open about food, so I like almost everything. With Vietnamese food, I especially like Pho and summer rolls.

Do you like Vietnamese food?

What's your favorite?



Comments

Wow, I didn't know it was a relocation point.
I did know about Nguyen. (Fan of all things football!)
Anonymous said…
I have never tasted vietamese food,
Great read,

Yvonne.
Linda G. said…
I haven't tried Vietnamese food yet, but my son tells me Pho is fantastic.
L. Diane Wolfe said…
I've always wanted to try Vietnamese food.
Michael Di Gesu said…
Interesting facts. I never knew that about Rockport Texas.

Vietnamese food is really delicious. Love all he spices they use.
The conflict really does seem like eons ago now doesn't it? I have never had Vietnamese food but I am intrigued to try it.
I would like to try Vietnamese food.
Carol Kilgore said…
Of course you'd know about Dat Nguyen, Alex :)

Try some if you have the opportunity, Yvonne.

Your son is right, Linda G!

Do it, Diane. it's tasty and fresh.

It wasn't always easy going in Rockport, Michael. There was some dissension among the shrimpers early on, but they worked through it. Another Vietnamese food fan!

OE and Teresa, I hope you'll both have the opportunity to try Vietnamese food soon.
I love the "special" off-the-menu meal the owner of a Vietnamese restaurant fixed for us. Noodles with several different kinds of meat and veggies. A lot of flavors and textures in one big tasty bowl.
cleemckenzie said…
I lived in SE Asia for a while, so any food from that region is my favorite. I'm really keen on fresh spring rolls!
Bish Denham said…
I've never eaten Vietnamese food, though I know I'd give a try. I'm open about trying new things.
Julie Flanders said…
I've never had Vietnamese food but I love almost all the Asian food I've had so I'd definitely love to try it.

I didn't realize the Coast Guard was involved in Vietnam, interesting bit of history.
Laura Eno said…
I love summer rolls!

Gads, Taylor, you make me feel old. Not born before the Vietnam conflict. Even my kids are older than you... :P
Carol Kilgore said…
Yes, yummy, Susan!

Lee, those are delish!

Good for you, Bish.

Julie, I'm sure you would like it. The USCG is like the invisible armed service.

Yay, Laura! We're all on the trainride of life. We get on and off at different stops, but while we're riding, we all experience the same things.
Inger said…
Good stuff, we have friends from there and there's a large Vietnamese community in Orange County outside Los Angeles.
Robin said…
Learned a lot (again) in this post. I am amazed by the amount of research you did on this place and the Coast Guard and all things related to your book. How much time did that take?

No, I have never tried Vietnamese food.
I've eaten Thai and Chinese but not Vietnamese food!
Thai food is delicious!

Writer In Transit
VR Barkowski said…
Mmm, food! I haven't tasted much Vietnamese food, but there is a hot (spicy) and sour soup I like a lot. It's not like Chinese hot and sour soup, it's closer to a stew. Sorry, it's been a very long time since I've had it. In Atlanta, I'm surrounded by Italian and Korean restaurants—not complaining, mind you. :)

VR Barkowski
Unknown said…
I love Vietnamese food. What would I give for a bowl of Pho or a spring roll.
M Pax said…
Mmm, vietnamese food. I make pho sometimes. I like Thai a lot, too. So fresh and flavorful.
Carol Kilgore said…
Carol here. Taylor will be back on Saturday.

Inger - We have some Vietnamese friends, too. Great people.

Robin - I did do a lot of research. But the Coast Guard research was relatively easy. Timewise, hard to tell. I did most of the research before I ever started writing on things I knew I would need. The more I found out, the more I seemed to need - LOL. I found myself stopping a lot during the writing to look stuff up, but this was because the characters grabbed hold and pulled me along to places I didn't know I was going. Usually those are the little details during the writing when I read back over and something needs more explanation or it doesn't make sense.

Michelle - If you like Thai and Chinese, I'm pretty sure you would like Vietnamese, too.

VR - Could be Pho. It's spicy and has lots of stuff in it. Never complain about good Italian restaurants :)

Clarissa - Right. I'm hungry now.

Mary - I've never made it, but I like to eat it, LOL!

Nick Wilford said…
Didn't know that about Rockport. I like Thai food a lot but can't remember ever having Vietnamese. Thanks for the history lesson - I didn't know the Coast Guard were so active either!
Wow. I didn't know that at all. I've never tried Vietnamese food.

Might have to remedy that.

Heather
Carol Kilgore said…
Nick and Heather - Coasties are like The Little Engine That Could.
Helena said…
Well, Taylor's topic certain dates me. I grew up during the Vietnam war and it didn't end until I was in college. Yes, it lasted that long.
Here in Australia two of my older brothers were 'called up' to serve in Vietnam. Football injuries kept them both out.
And I love Vietnamese food, it simply bursts with flavour.
DWei said…
I'll stick with Japanese food. I really could go for some sashimi right now.
I love the summer rolls too. I can't think of any other Vietnamese food I've tried...
Carol Kilgore said…
Helena - I was already here, too.

EC - I love all the flavors, too.

DWei - I'm not a fan on sashimi. I like many other Japanese foods, though.

Lynda - Not stopping to look up the spelling, but there's a sandwich that's good, too. I think it's bahn mi. Everything is flavorful.

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