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;).

11/28 Electric Bikes

they're everywhere.
so cool

11/27 Bordello

Pretty convinced that we live next to a brothel - very discrete brothel seeing as Sacha and I have just now figured it out.

11/26 Thanks What?

Didn't really even know it was Thanksgiving yesterday;(.  But am still oh so grateful for everything - my incredible family, friends, India, Vietnam ... and the future!

11/25 Professional Developement ...

... I really need it;). Had my first workshop today and realized how badly I need more.

11/24 Vietnamese Car Seats

Normally little ones either sit between their parents on a motorbike or have a little wicker higher chair that fits in front of them.  But sometimes you see this:

11/23 Friendly Negotiations

Learned from a Chinese Friend the art of friendly bargaining.  Shopped the entire afternoon at Ben Than Market and instead of getting upset and frustrated, had a few laughs and may have even gotten a few good deals.  My strategy was all smiles, kindness and "lucky numbers".  My lucky number always being half the starting price of course;). 

11/22 Home Cooking

What kind of food do I miss?  The first thing I think of is my Mom's Stroganoff. Second, organic anything and everything - Whole Foods, Watercourse, Root Down oh my.  Third, cheese.  Good stinky cheese.  Fourth, good wine ... oops thats not food .... or is it?;)

11/21 Facebook Saves the Day

Had it not been for Facebook, I wouldn't have known that my Grandmother had bipass surgery.  I am not very close to my Dad's family. Regardless, just crazy that almost all my info came from my granduncle through the book.  I did get to talk to her via more conventional means.  She is strong, but scared.  I love you Grandma and think of you everyday.  Today, I'm grateful for Facebook.

11/20 The Real Teachers Day

More flowers, cards, money, gifts, wine etc... but the best was a large crystal hand holding a crystal ball.  By the looks of it, my students think I am a poor wino who needs some fortune telling;).  Very grateful and quite touched by all the love.  What a great holiday!

11/19 Teachers Day with the Teachers

Teachers Day Party.  Tug o War in a monsoon (I won $1.5!).  Singing Happy Birthday just to get everybody "in the mood". Handwriting contests-very prestigious.  Gifts of money,whiskey, and bouquets of flowers all loaded onto my motorbike.  Huge multi-course meal shared on small tables and tiny chairs.  At one point, the teacher sitting next to me took my hands and delicately cleaned them with limes. And of course Karaoke.  Fabulous evening!