Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, August 10, 2008
Friday, August 8, 2008
Story of Sapa.
Lessons from a little country with big ideas
But even if I am similar with some people in Vietnam I have noticed some things that take time too see. Sometimes I glimpse a sense of emotion in this country. But sometimes I see a country so poor the people are callused from growing up around things that no person should ever have to feel or endure. Things I can't imagine are common place in this country. Some families are SO poor their daughters are sent away by their parents to do everything a richer family would prefer not to do, like, clean the floor, water the plants, and clean a spoiled foreigners room(me). I try to understand everyone in every society but sometimes I can not keep my voice silent when I feel things aren't up to human standards. And I thing very often I feel the tension of change in Saigon. I think the older people are more traditional and closed minded. And I can confidently say that at least once a week I see a blind person trying to navigate a dangerous city like Saigon. Or a old lady trying to cross the street, but you can tell she doesn't have complete confidence in herself as she tries to keep moving in life with motorbikes zooming by. Imagine if you knew that transport was mostly bicycles when you were born and now there are so many motorbikes you have t0 be careful crossing the street. If life were to change that quickly in life im not so sure how well i would adapt.
Ok, I will finish this later im in Hanoi, and people are getting impatient waiting because all the computers are broken.
Life and Attitude towards it
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
City of Love, Romance, and chilly mountains
We took a boat to this island to have lunch on the water in one of those huts. Then you can take a hammic nap afterwards.
The first time i woke up early enough to sit and eat breakfast on a week day!
Usually I hop out of the shower, quickly get ready for work, run down the granite stair case, (crazy with no shoes and wet feet, we have to carry them in asia) leap into the street without dying from any traffic jams. wave to my friend motorbike driver, say "hello" to the sandwich making lady, so she start making it before i get there. prepare the money as im walking towards her, grab the bread with my left hand and give the money with the right. turn on my heals, lift my leg over the back of the motorbike and drive away. Sometimes I dont even know how it could happen so fast. BUT the picture above is one day when I got ready early for work, got my bread, sat down at this street restaurant next to my apartment, and relaxed with enough time to take this picture. You can see my motorbike helmet to the right, the necessary chopsticks signaling im eating, or maybe still hungry, a typical side plate of greens, and CHILI CHILI red CHILI! There is always a little jar with chili for you. and Usually a some whole chili that you can cut with your spoon and mix into the food.