He visits his father's childhood home in Hanoi. It is now a coffee shop. They drink strong French coffee, and Anthony imagines his father as a boy. The night mural unfolds with young lovers by the dark lake, each couple locked in an embrace, seated on motorcycles by playful waters. On the sidewalks, in makeshift cafes, women serve pho and dumplings.
Men smoke long pipes and drink black tea.
The streets are a storm of cars and motorcycles, and through small alleyways, a taxi takes Anthony and his brother and sister to a party hosted by their father's family. I get away from the stress. I'm with these people. There's a peace of mind and serenity, getting out of the rat race. I got caught up in that race.