The day after I’d been out to that one-day job (and got home at midnight), I had a commitment to take a bus to Thai Binh, which is where my new job is. I’d learned the buses leave about every half hour and decided to take the noon bus, so at 11:30 I grabbed a taxi. I’d got the bus station address off the internet. … Continue reading Have I mentioned….?
Just across the way from my place is a small lake….a pond, really…and this morning I strolled over there for a ca phé. I brought my David Sedaris book with me to read while I sipped. So, here’s this enormously tall American woman sitting by the pond, having her morning cuppa Joe, giggling maniacally……there goes the neighborhood… Anyway, as I sat there, I’d occasionally tear … Continue reading Strolling along…
A couple days ago I was out and about, sightseeing and such. A hot day, of course…..most days are hot. Lots of walking…..end of the day and I was tired. So, before heading home I went into the local ‘grocery store’ (mostly where one goes to get the household items one needs: soap, shampoo, t.p., those yummy crackers that taste like the “Chicken in a … Continue reading Cool, clear water……
I have three time settings on my computer. The first one is Vietnam time, of course. The other two are U.S. time (Pacific time, because that’s where the majority of my family & friends live) and England time (because that’s where part of my heart lives). What amazes me is that for a certain period of time each day, all three of these wildly divergent … Continue reading Time has come today….
I wanted to bring a few books with me to Vietnam. I didn’t know what the reading selection would be like here (turns out there’s plenty to choose from). Of course, I couldn’t bring very many due to weight restrictions. So, here’s what I brought: The Quiet American …..of course! I’ve read it before, but it seemed appropriate to bring it with me and re-read … Continue reading Reading material
I had written (yet another) post on being stressed about things, but I trashed it because I thought, “Who am I to be feeling down? I’m traveling! I’m in Vietnam for crying out loud – how cool is that?” At the same time….I’m human and I still have my down days. I wrote about growing pains….and that I still have a lot of growing up … Continue reading D-oh! We had it backwards……
Wow. When Hanoi holds a flea market, Hanoi holds a flea market….but first you gotta get there…. I found out about it on Hanoi Grapevine – a website I’d signed onto to keep up with current art events and such. So I caught a taxi just outside my place and showed the driver the address, which I’d written down. It took forever to get there. … Continue reading Xé òm, baby!
Back in the….60’s?…70’s?….sometime way back then…..there was a safe driving ad campaign on American television called “Watch Out for the Other Guy”. Basically it was just a good driving tip saying, in effect “Be aware of what’s going on around you while you’re driving – Watch out for the other guy.” Common sense, right? Here in Hanoi, they have the same philosophy…..but in reverse….or…sideways….or something. … Continue reading Crosstown Traffic
I have this old movie poster at home (actually, I have it in storage at my daughter’s house right now, but…..). It’s one of my favorite art pieces that I hang on my walls. I got it at a Southern California (where else?) thrift store. Mike reminded me of this poster the other day after we’d been in a classroom with a bunch of kids. … Continue reading Go, go Godzilla!
Well, the whole ‘Culture Shock’ thing has been an interesting adventure in and of itself. I was side-swiped. I think I’ve turned a corner, though, finally. It’s the whole ‘expectations’ thing, you know? You’d think I’d have learned that lesson by now, but no, apparently not. I had this picture in my head of what it would be like here….and it is that way to … Continue reading Ch ch ch ch changes….
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