12/3 Tear Down Culture

Saigon is in constant rebuild mode.  Every week buildings change. Businesses change from Pho restaurants to fashion shops.  It's instant really and so bizarre to watch.  Just on our street alone I've seen maybe 5 businesses completely change overnight.  To top it off our landlord is going to demo their house in February.  Which means we would have to live with four months of 24/7 construction.  Sad but true.  So we'll be looking for a place... I'm considering going to Hanoi for a year ... will investigate and see how it goes.

12/2 Reflection

A year ago today, I waved goodbye to my Mom and Dad. I flew 26 hours to Delhi.  I saw the Taj and cried. I lived in Jarkhand with no running water or electricity but was able to blog once a week.  I fought for an extended visit to get stung by a scorpion then sedated with opium tea.  I saw the Golden Temple and the heart of God. Flew to Saigon. Saw the Mekong.  Fell off a Monkey Bridge. Explored Angkor Wat. Worked seven days a week for seven months. Been to weddings, dinners, parties. But even after a year, I feel like I don't understand Vietnam and still want to go back to India. There is still time I guess;).

12/1 Lemons

Lemons are limes and grapefruits are pomelos.  Beef may be dog and fish always has eyes.  Milk is deadly sweet and fresh milk is ever so slightly sweet. Toast is cold bread and tea is always jasmine. Dollars are Dong and Karaoke is King. 

11/30 How to Great Your Grandmother in VN

Cross your arms covering your hands with a slight bow.  Very respectful to all older people - older meaning elderly.  I have not yet received this greeting ... thank god. 

11/29 Excitement

Am loving the Saigonese Christmas excitement, decorations, songs (some of which I have never heard and would so love to take home), silly broken English signs (ie Snow Let it!), lights, little North Pole villages springing up everywhere ... may have to get a little tree before I leave;).