12/13 Inflation

Inflation is up to 10% so says the government.  But it's really around 11.5%.  So my lovely Aussie based bank won't sell me any dollars.  Ludicrous and infuriating.

12/12 Excitied

Can't focus. Excited.  Nervous.  Expecting serious reverse culture shock.  Only four days;)

12/11 Hand Stitched Painting

Started the day with 15 of my 20-40 year old corporate students eagerly grabbing out of another class.  They looked like 7 years olds as they presented the most beautiful hand stitched picture of a yellow Vietnamese countryside.  They were adamant that I take it home to show my mom.  Spent the evening with a dear friend sharing secrets and drinking too much wine.

12/10 Dinner at La Maison

Dinner at my 10 year old students house aka weekend apartment on the 26th floor of a highrise just outside of the city.  Didn't know what to expect.  Was greeted with a handmade candy Christmas wreath and many desperate pleadings to play wii.  Ate  yummy cold mussels and a chicken drumstick with chopsticks and a spoon.  Was entertained with magic tricks by an 8 year old and invited to go swimming.  The view was spectacular but the conversation even better.  Left even more convinced and very guilty that he is indeed my favorite student;).

12/9 Ao Dia

My favorite public school gave me the gift of an Ao Dia, a traditional Vietnamese dress,  for Christmas.  Met with one of the teachers to choose fabric.  We then drove down the road to the tailor.  Truly a hole in the wall with no address.  He took about five strange measurements (ie the length of my fingers and wrist to my elbow).  He did not measure my hips or legs.  Two days later I cautiously tried on the pink and black silk to find that it fit perfectly ... and quite beautifully;). 

12/8 Bookstore

Spent my afternoon in a bookstore buying far too many Christmas presents.  Western magazines, calendars, books.  I was in heaven.  The only thing missing was Dwell ... ah Dwell. Only two weeks left;)

12/7 Vietnam Wins!

Motorbikes, red flags, golden drums, pots and pans ... wheelies and reverse wheelies.  For hours.  Vietnam beat Singapore.  I was stuck in Dune for over two hours because the streets were so crazy.  It was perhaps one of the best nights I've had in HCMC.  I inched my bike out into the madness and it took me about a half hour to go a half mile home.  Fabulous.  National Pride on big red and yellow starred flags beaten out on golden drums.  

12/6 Directions

Directions are primarily verbal.  Maps only seem to confuse and inspire more questions.  Okay if you have time ... infuriating on a deadline.

12/5 Vietnamese Sayings

Today I learned one of my first Vietnamese saying "Learn to forget".  Interesting.

12/4 Dryers

I just realized I haven't seen or used a clothes dryer in over a year;).  The great thing is that I haven't missed it.

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;).