My fondness for things Afghan began when I was a child and read a short story by the Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore.

NPR: Discovering Afghan Cuisine, a World Away

As many of you know, I spent some time in my youth in this part of the world and have a great fondness and affection for the people of Singapore.

WHITEHOUSE: President Obama's Bilateral Meeting with Prime Minister Lee of Singapore | The White House

Knowing the Chinese fondness for legends, I summon up some Celtic tall tales from my childhood that involve ferocious warriors, vicious kings, an improbably large potato, a brave young prince and the inevitable triumph of good.

BBC: A Beijing state of mind