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.