Mua Mua Mua

After a few days of sauna hot days, the rain returns.  And it's serious.  It doesn't want to stop ... after almost a day.  Huge powerful in your lap thunder storms. I'm so looking forward to a little mild SoCal sunshine for Christmas:).

Sand Worms

Another amazing meal on Woman's Day with a group of beautiful ladies all in blue. Turns out that it's Women's Day for communists.  Mam Son is a beautiful little Northern Vietnamese restaurant.  The food and atmosphere was stunning.  First we had stuffed snails with fried eel, then chicken stomach and pineapple, clam tomato dill soup and  a lovely little sand worm quiche. Dessert was loganberries stuffed with lotus seeds.  My first time tasting worms and lotus seeds ... both were ngon or delicious! Perhaps the best meal I've had in Vietnam - Thanks Thu!

The Wonderful World of Tones

For a year, I've been saying "pencil" instead of "Hello" and, very sadly, "stupid" instead of "flower".  Sad as the latter is a common name for women.  "Pencil, Stupid" ... nice. My goal for the next month is to master the wonderful world of tones in a monosyllabic language.  Wish me luck.

Soggy

A stinky raincoat, soggy clothes, frizzy hair, an even more stinky face mask (even though I constantly wash them), runny makeup .... monsoon living.  I've gotten to where I can read the sky.  Last year, I was amazed at how people knew when to pull out the awnings or stop and put on a raincoat. But now, I can see it in the sky and trees.  Feel it in the wind and temperature.  The feeling can be blissful if at your back .. fun and playful.  But if at your face, fierce and just plain mean. I feel slightly damp at all times and have completely given up on any kind of rational hairstyle. Only a month of mua (rain) to go!

Questions

How old are you? How much do you weigh? Why aren't you married? Almost two years later and I've come to love asking and answering these questions.  It's very open and freeing.  What is private in the states seems to be public here.  What is public in the states is private here eg physical affection. I watched a few painful minutes of the Bachelorette recently and was really annoyed and kind of disgusted by all the kissing ... almost two years later and I see kissing as a very private affair:). ... or I'm just getting older?

Market Ladies

Crowded little stalls of soap and shampoo, coffee and ginseng.  Flower stands, fruit stands, tea stands and incense everywhere. Women sitting on top of long steel counters hacking huge pieces of meat.
My favorite is by far my vegetable ladies - Long and Dung.  We banter in sign language and laughs with a few Vietnamese words thrown in.  I get a huge bag of cucumbers, lettuce, broccoli, limes, dill, cilantro, onions, garlic and chilis.for ten dollars ... and they always throw in more ... always something extra.  This has definitely become one of my favorite things to do.

Birds Nest

There is a little bird, the swift bird, high in the mountains that makes beautiful little nests out of it's saliva.  This is used to make bird's nest drink that for a year and a half have avoided.  This morning, one of my fellow teachers threw out my water and made me drink an entire can saying that I looked sick and was loosing too much weight.  "That's the plan", I said as I tentatively swallowed the sugar water with strings of what felt like thin gummy worms.  Supposedly it has amazing healing powers.  I'll let you know next week ... although I'm not quite sure what I'm being healed of.

Kindness

Several times in the last week, I have found myself in need of help whether I thought I needed it or not.  On an anxious drive home due to too much planning and a heavy schedule, one of my bags fell off my bike and a hundred copies spilled onto the street - most of which thankfully were to be recycled.  Regardless, three little street boys appeared out of nowhere and picked them up in a matter of seconds in the middle of jammed packed traffic no less.  Two other gentlemen made sure my bag was securely attached to my bike before I left.  I gave most of the copies to the kids half of which they returned to me after they saw that it looked like homework.  The next day, I was struggling to start my bike - as usual - it's typical of a Nouvo. Great bike - bad starter.  A young man looking very concerned, wouldn't leave until he started the bike.  We then realized that there was no gas.  So, he then walked me to up and out of the parking garage to the little man who sells gas across the street.  He wouldn't leave until I was firmly on my bike with engine running.  The next day I lost my parking ticket and the attendant refused to let me out.  I was trapped in City Plaza Supermarket.  A young woman approached me asking if I was okay.  I explained and she helped me to look for the ticket.  We wandered around the lot and stores for about an hour.  No luck.  She stayed with me until the owner of the bike arrived with proof of registration.  Today, my little corner cafe was closed and I stood staring blankly.  A man stopped and asked me what I needed.  I explained and he insisted on taking me to a cafe down the street. A true genuine concern - a natural one.  Not asking for anything. All these gestures just felt selfless and immediate..  Maybe that's why they always ask "An com chu" - have you eaten yet?. A real concern for your well being. I've heard so many people say in the last year that the Vietnamese are rude or demanding. All I can see is people who help you just because ... nothing asked in return ... well, most of the time;). 

Two Months

It's been over two months since I've posted.  I have a long list of drafts to update.  Only one of which was a fabulous trip to Hanoi, Ha Long Bay and Hoi An.  More than ever I feel grateful to be abroad, but, to the same extent, miss my family and friends deeply.  Rarely have I missed the states, only the people and certain small details (organic food, uncensored internet, hair products and reliable hot water and power;)). The plan is to see 30 countries in the next 10 years.  That should make it 50 by the time I'm 50.  More to come....

More Yay

At least that what it sounds like ... yay or de is goat.  Had a goodbye goat dinner with at least six different dipping sauces.  Chili, lime, pepper, miso, more chili, and basil.  Steamed goat, bbq goat, fried goat. The miso chili sauce is by far my favorite ... very sour and earthy.  Fantastic with a few beers, but so sad to say goodbye to a group of engineers I've been with for almost a year.  They gave me a beautiful gift of fabric for an ao da (a traditional Vietnamese long dress with silk pants)  the color of the sun.  Thanks Tafico. I will so miss you.

Thunder Palace

Three months ago, I moved into a highrise that I  said I'd never do.  I moved into another district that I adamantly refused as well.  But it's luxury on the 13th floor.  Stunning views and amenities.  And thunder storms like I've never experienced.  I honestly felt like I was in a war zone.  The booms and cracks were terrifying.  I usually love a good storm ... this one not so much.  May have to build a bunker.

Summer Roasted Chestnuts

On my walk home from the park, I found vendors trolling outside my house in front of the late night snail restaurants.  Little push carts with a bowl of hot sand and baskets of chestnuts. Warm fragrant  and amazing with some salt ... in summer no less;).

Silly Signage

This is posted in my grocery store restroom. I've been wanting to post it for ages. 

One leg and two wheels

A one legged one armed man rode a bicycle gracefully in and out of the cars, buses, inching pedestrians and crazy taxis during rush hour traffic.  I nearly had an accident watching him.  It was almost hypnotic.

Has it really been over two months?

Has it really been almost three months since my last post? I guess it's time to go to weekly posts;).  I still have so much to say every day, but will sum it up in weekly posts for the next year ... until I move to the next country.  Hope to get caught up soon.  Have had some lovely experiences especially with the food and language .. just hope I can remember them all:).