11/28 Electric Bikes

they're everywhere.
so cool

11/27 Bordello

Pretty convinced that we live next to a brothel - very discrete brothel seeing as Sacha and I have just now figured it out.

11/26 Thanks What?

Didn't really even know it was Thanksgiving yesterday;(.  But am still oh so grateful for everything - my incredible family, friends, India, Vietnam ... and the future!

11/25 Professional Developement ...

... I really need it;). Had my first workshop today and realized how badly I need more.

11/24 Vietnamese Car Seats

Normally little ones either sit between their parents on a motorbike or have a little wicker higher chair that fits in front of them.  But sometimes you see this:

11/23 Friendly Negotiations

Learned from a Chinese Friend the art of friendly bargaining.  Shopped the entire afternoon at Ben Than Market and instead of getting upset and frustrated, had a few laughs and may have even gotten a few good deals.  My strategy was all smiles, kindness and "lucky numbers".  My lucky number always being half the starting price of course;). 

11/22 Home Cooking

What kind of food do I miss?  The first thing I think of is my Mom's Stroganoff. Second, organic anything and everything - Whole Foods, Watercourse, Root Down oh my.  Third, cheese.  Good stinky cheese.  Fourth, good wine ... oops thats not food .... or is it?;)

11/21 Facebook Saves the Day

Had it not been for Facebook, I wouldn't have known that my Grandmother had bipass surgery.  I am not very close to my Dad's family. Regardless, just crazy that almost all my info came from my granduncle through the book.  I did get to talk to her via more conventional means.  She is strong, but scared.  I love you Grandma and think of you everyday.  Today, I'm grateful for Facebook.

11/20 The Real Teachers Day

More flowers, cards, money, gifts, wine etc... but the best was a large crystal hand holding a crystal ball.  By the looks of it, my students think I am a poor wino who needs some fortune telling;).  Very grateful and quite touched by all the love.  What a great holiday!

11/19 Teachers Day with the Teachers

Teachers Day Party.  Tug o War in a monsoon (I won $1.5!).  Singing Happy Birthday just to get everybody "in the mood". Handwriting contests-very prestigious.  Gifts of money,whiskey, and bouquets of flowers all loaded onto my motorbike.  Huge multi-course meal shared on small tables and tiny chairs.  At one point, the teacher sitting next to me took my hands and delicately cleaned them with limes. And of course Karaoke.  Fabulous evening!

11/18 Teachers Day Begins

Teachers Day - one of the top five holidays in Vietnam.  I was given some beautiful little green bags, a date book, a pen and fabric for an ao dia.  My students sang beautiful songs in Vietnamese - almost brought me to tears;).

11/17 This time last year

This time last year, I was getting ready for the arrival of family and friends.  I was getting more and more anxious about my 60 lb backpack.  I was getting more and more excited about India.  Who would have known that a year and almost 400 posts later, I'd be in Vietnam getting more and more anxious about my 60 lb suitcase and more and more excited about going to the U.S. for a vacation. Wild;).

11/16 Understanding

Talking with Sacha, I just realized how strange it is going to be to understand everyone;).

11/15 Other Intrigues

Also to be seen in 2011:
Indonesia
Malaysia
Myanmar
Hong Kong
Beijing
Laos

11/14 Singapore

More and more I'm intrigued by Singapore. A progressive and sustainable city/country.  The Vietnamese seem to love it - that and Korea. A must see in 2011 - the latter probably not till 2012.

11/13 Distinctly Vietnamese Sounds

There is one thing that I have had a very hard time describing, but to me is so distinctly Vietnamese.  Men and Women ride bicycles with a little loud speaker attached.  They ride around at all times of the day and night.  Their voices sound scratchy and staccato over the loudspeaker. When you close your eyes, the sound is kind of like a little time machine. When I first heard it, it made me think of 1940's communist propaganda.  I thought for my first few weeks that it was communist doctrine, but later found out they were selling bread;).

11/12 Hoi An

Hoi An in Central Vietnam.  The destination for my Fourtieth with my Mom and Aunt in February !!!

11/11 No News

I've been pretty oblivious to the news since I got here.  Sure I get the big news from friends, coworkers, students and online.  But the weather, just not a realistic news item ... at least in English. Forecast: Rain, Heavy Rain and Fabulous Thunder Storms;).

11/10 Not So Quiet American

Went to see Megamind this afternoon.  After the fourth visit to get the correct ticket, I turned into a typical ugly American.  As I got louder and more upset, they just got quieter and nicer.  The manager came over and I just got more upset - so ashamed:(.  But I can gratefully say this is one of maybe two times this has happened.  I think I just need a trip home.  Yeah it's time. 

11/9 BBQ and Friends

Returned to BBQ Garden for dinner with friends out till the wee hours of the morning playing pool.  Great nite out.  I was overdue;).

11/8 Routine

It's all just becoming routine and oh so familiar.  The million motorbikes, hundreds of lovely open air markets, tiny stools, Vietnamese Love Ballads (which I have finally started to really enjoy), the genuine love and respect given to teachers, the excitement of the kids, the closeness (i.e. no personal space) ... going home is going to be strange indeed;).

11/7 Vietnmase is harder than Chinese ... really?

Learned today that for some, Vietnamese is actually harder than Chinese.  The latter has only four tones while Vietnamese has six.  Wish I could hear let alone pronounce the difference;).

11/6 Rain Rain Rain

The monsoon is now normal.  I live in my helmet, face mask and raincoat.  My clothes are constantly wet.  It just makes those rare moment when the sun shines just that much more wonderful.  It feels so light, bright and clear.  Otherwise, it's rivers for roads and plastic for clothes.

11/5 India

Miss India today.  Miss Hindi, the music, the movies, the food, the tea, the trains, but most importantly Dakshinayan.  Hope to be back in the New Year;).

11/4 Burnings II

Sat and watched three young men burning colored paper in front of their new shop.  It must be for the full moon.  Again, driving down the street  people crouched outside their shops lighting small fires with colored paper and fake money.

11/3 Hot Pots

Hots Pots - lovely broth, squash blossoms, morning glory, squid, various unidentifiable tentacled creatures, enormous prawns with beady black eyes and a gigantic whole fish.  It was an awesome, if not slightly intimidating, dinner;).

11/2 Heaven

Cat Moc ... the best affordable spa experience I've had since I've been gone.  Quiet, ultra clean, proper pampering for pennies.   I went twice this week.  Sacha has deemed it Heaven.  First Thai massage experience ... strange stretching massage in a light little pajama outfit.  I think I like it but am still not sure. May have to try it again next week to make sure.  And I have to try every single treatment before my Mom and Aunt get here.   Wouldn't want them to be misinformed;)

11/1 Noisy

Is it just me, or does Saigon get louder the longer you stay?

10/31 Just a Little More Madness

More bobbing for apples and scary stories.  Sad to see Halloween end. 

10/30 And the Madness Continues

And the Halloween Madness into the weekend.  Mostly angles, butterflies, Spidermen and witches. The staff are so eager to see pics of Halloween in the States, but sadly I can't find any.  Note to self: scan all photo's while home;).   This was the most important thing I forgot to bring abroad.  

10/29 Celebration!

It's official.  My mom and aunt are coming out in February.  I just can't believe it.  I'm so very excited.  There's just so much we have to do;)!!!

10/28 Eggs and Flowers

I love the fact that every morning, I can buy eggs, flowers, fruit, music, or  lottery tickets.right outside my door from people on bicycles, on foot, on motorbike, on mini trailers and in baskets..

10/27 Comforts

Simple comforts - a latte and a salad.  Different than a hamburger and a mall - but really the same;).

10/26 Halloween

Halloween is pretty big here.  Tons of little shops selling costumes and fake blood line the streets.  This week is going to be a blast.  Scary stories, bobbing for apples, costumes, ... I'm just having trouble finding big bags of candy.  Otherwise, everything else is covered! 

10/25 Island Tree Houses

Nite out with some friends.  Heard about some remote island tree houses in Cambodia very close to where Sacha and I will be vacationing in February.  You have to take a fisherman's boat and food is scarce ... I'm so there!

10/24 Culture Shock XXVII

Absolutely everything was annoying today.  Mostly the noise.  The constant street noise and it just seemed louder since I had been back.  Maybe after the quiet of Cambodia, the noise of Saigon is more obvious.  Regardless, it was driving me crazy and my earplugs weren't working.   In this situation, when in Rome just didn't cut it, so I went to bed early;)

10/23 Technology

Bought a new phone.  Happy with the purchase.  Pretty confident it is new.  Definitely sure I paid too much.  Technology is expensive (i.e. the same price in the U.S.).  You never know if you are getting quality and there are definitely no returns;).

10/22 Early Mornings

Started my early morning runs in the park to get ready for skiing in December.  It really is one of my favorite things to do in Saigon.  Can't wait to take my Mom and Aunt in February;). 

10/21 Angkor Wat II

My tour of the complex was rushed.  I will save the details for my February visit.  It has definitely ranked in the top three.  Returning to Siem Reap, I took a long slow walk down the river and found a beautiful pagoda.  Wandered through the complex which felt light and alive compared to Angkor Wat.  The colors were vivid and there were old women and young people sitting, praying, lighting incense, chatting. Went to a little restaurant and had some wonderful Cambodian food - coconut fish curry.  Walked back to a more touristy area and sat on a corner with my laptop and a glass of rum.  Woke up at 5a to catch the first of two very long buses back to HCMC.  Had 15 minutes to run and get my passport in Phnom Phen.  Still can't believe my little remok driver made it.  Funny thing was after haggling for the price, he took my money and said "I hope you gave me a tip".  Made me laugh.  So audacious.  Regardless, I love the Cambodian people.  Such incredible smiles.  Can't wait to go back in Feb.