It is almost comical when a pig’s snout pokes through a tear in the partition. Sunlight filters through the thatched roof and illuminates a condom wrapper half buried beneath straw. The snout bucks at the flap and begins sniffing. The nostrils strain and contract in an attempt to inhale. I doubt its sense of smell is very sensitive. The nose is caked in something like mud but not mud. I now understand the architectural design of this structure. My people are so practical and efficient. It’s no wonder that we won the war.

Back in the minivan, I say, “I’m sorry but I’m glad there was a war. Really, I just can’t imagine living like this.”

“That’s a horrible thing to say. You wouldn’t say it if you knew how our people have suffered.”

“Can you imagine having all these strangers, weirdoes and pedophiles from all over the world, coming into your house to use your bathroom?”

“Elle, stop cringing. You’d stop if you knew how unattractive it looks.”

“I swear I could barely go.”

“Go deeper into the countryside then you’ll really see. That was nothing. Out where your dad’s from, do you know what the peasants do?”

When she wants to be uppity, my mom likes to point out that she was born in the city whereas my dad was born in the countryside. She proceeds to tell me about a particular process of fish farming she once saw at an Aunt Persimmon’s house.

“I have an aunt named Persimmon?”

“And an uncle name Litchi. They’re distant, but that’s your dad’s side for you, country bumpkins.” She continues, “Your little sister Michelle was just born and we went up country to see your dad’s people. Aunt Persimmon was old and bed bound and your father wanted to show Michelle off. By that time, we had already decided we wouldn’t stay under Communist occupation much longer. For some reason, I had awful stomach cramps even after the pregnancy. Anyway, I asked the house girl to take me to the bathroom. I knew they were poor. I figured we’d have to go into an outhouse. Michelle was in my arms and I had her wrapped up in this beautiful rose-colored blanket my mom had hand knitted with silk yarn. There were mosquitoes buzzing everywhere because of this stagnant little pond out back. Over the pond, they had laid a plank. I followed the girl not really thinking about it. I figured that maybe the outhouse was on the other side of the plank.”