L’île Intense

by Jasmine Irving

They call this place l’île intense (the intense island). People are said to come here to escape, to leave their difficulties behind and get lost in the way time passes on a tropical island full of incredible natural surroundings. It flies past, before you know…

Worth Remembering

When we talk about “development” work — in any form, there is this automatic assumption that the work that is being done is “good.” But this isn’t always the case. Help isn’t always good, especially when it is unwanted or forced. Often times the help given can be detrimental to the livelihoods of…

Incensed

by Lo-Ching Chow

Within the domain of each individual’s idiosyncratic dreamscape, reality and fiction intermingle, giving birth to chimeras both wondrous and horrific. As images, thoughts, and occurrences of the day and week blend together in one’s sleep, Imagination takes hold…

Meditation in the Mountains

by Lo-Ching Chow

On December 2nd, I decided to retreat to the hot springs of Miaoli County in Taiwan with my mother. Nestled in the island’s lush mountains, Miaoli County is renowned for its diverse flora and fog-capped mountains. Here, clouds and fog…

Air, Err, Heir

by Lo-Ching Chow

Several weeks ago, I wrote about the apparently improving air quality of Beijing. Fast forward a few weeks, and the Chinese capital finds itself enshrouded in venomous smog. The calamity was not restricted to Beijing, either; most Chinese cities, including my…