12 hours to Sihanoukville from Saigon. 6 in comfort in seat 1 and 2 surrounded by flowers and 6 in painful anticipation in the back of the bus with no arm rests and very strange Cambodian Love songs. After carrying my all too heavy suitcase over rocks and thru numerous beach front restaurants we reached our bungalows and a very substandard room. Sach was in high spirits ... I was definitely headed in the other direction. Turns out all I needed was a good nites sleep;).
Friday, February 4, 2011
1/31 Ready to Go
Honestly, it's been a very long three and a half weeks. However, I have just realized I haven't planned for this trip. This was kind of an unspoken pact with my flatmate, but really, I haven't planned anything except for transportation and accommodation. Since I've already been to Cambodia, I'm not worried, but I am curious to see how I cope with six days at the beach as I am definitely not a beach person. For some reason, I have total faith that this big 40 Bday holiday will be fabulous no matter where I am;).
1/30 American Idol II
Hooked on American Idol ... never ever ever ever did I think I would be so dedicated. Love it and look forward to it. Still not as good as Lambert though;)
1/29 No Focus
Not many students in class. Only two days till we leave. Traffic has doubled. Lines have tripled. Shops are closing. Just hard to focus. Just time to go on holiday;)
1/28 Tet Parks
All the parks in Saigon have turned into massive flower and tree markets. Some are closed and require a fee as they are decorated with elaborate Tet flower arrangements. Stores on the main streets have equally elaborate window scenes with Tet themes. Grandparents giving their grandchildren lucky money. The Ban Choi(sp), rice and meat beautifully wrapped in banana leaves tied in perfect little packages. Kind of sad I'll be missing Tet in Saigon. Maybe next year;).
1/27 My Shadow
Tet Celebration at my favorite Kindergarten. One of my three year olds who is very quiet in class followed me around all day ... glued to me like my shadow. He would bring me food and insist on feeding me. At one point started yelling at me in Vietnamese ... came to find out he needed to go to the bathroom;).
1/26 Bonsais and Topiaries
The park is slowly filling up with tiny My bonsai trees and tangerine topiarys. The wide pathways are becoming small and packed with motorbikes effortlessly carrying enormous trees. The smells are intoxicating. Earthy, sweet, citrusy ... Tet is fabulous.
1/25 Heaven and a Day Off
Visit to Heaven for all the treatments I haven't had. It just seems to get better. Must spread the word!
1/23 The Pleasant Season
The rains stopped while we were away. Now it is just plain pleasant. Slightly hazy and overcast but lovely. Still have to say I sleep with the AC. But nights are cool especially speeding around on the bike. Should stay like this for a bit then back to the heavy penetrating heat of Summer.
1/22 Discount Cards
Feel like such a local today. My favorite bag check lady at the supermarket stopped me with great excitement. Made me wait for about 20 minutes returning with a golden discount card. I felt quite honored and was convinced it would save me at least 10% until Sacha read the details. 3% savings ... still feel very special;).
1/21 Locked Out!
Stayed out a bit late with a friend and got locked out of my house as we have to deadbolt the gate. Felt like I just arrived as I had to stay at a guesthouse;). Grateful to the old couple who took care of me and gave me a very good room and rate.
1/20 Coffee Day
Coffee class with my eight Nam Viet guys. Talked about Christmas, Tet, the economy, Americans and family. Lovely morning but I realized I will miss them since we won't have class for a month.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
1/19 Dalat!
It's decided! Dalat for four days for my big birthday with my Mom and Aunt. It'll be perfect. I almost settled for Mui Ne as we couldn't get tickets to Hanoi/HaLong. But this will be even better. A short plane trip to a lovely hotel on a lake. Ladies, I'm counting the days!
1/18 A Day of Rest
A whole day of rest. Absolutely luxurious. Would have been perfect wifi was working;).
1/17 Is Anyone Out There?
Had ample time to Skype, but couldn't get through to anyone. Missing the family as usual:(.
1/16 Dark Narrow Houses II
Looked for houses today and very disappointed. 90% of Saigon, and urban Vietnam for that matter, is long and extremely narrow. Offering little light, long cramped spaces, but if you are lucky, spectacular views. So we will stay where we are and live through the construction unless we find an equally beautiful house. March is going to be interesting. Demolition Vietnamese style will be even more interesting. Sacha and Amie living together happily during construction and working seven days a week ... extraordinary;).
1/15 Two weeks
Two weeks till Sihanoukville's "undiscovered" beaches and Angkor Wat via bicycle!10 days of Cambodian bliss. Very grateful indeed.
1/14 The Hover
One important bit of culture shock advice/notice/warning for anyone coming over to Saigon. When shopping almost anywhere but supermarkets, you will always encounter the hover. The smaller the shop the closer the hover. Even at my favorite spa, the hover. They stand quietly with there hands crossed about a foot or two feet behind you. After almost a year, I'm finally used to it, doesn't mean I like, I'm just used to it;).
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