Monday, November 30, 2009

Dinner and School.

Nov. 30, Vietnam Time

Yesterday, I went to Mr. Thanh’s place for dinner. He rents one room, that adjoins a much larger house. The main residence has about 5 or 6 rooms that they rent out. His girlfriend, Miss Hang, rents another room next to his. This room is about 45 minutes from his travel office in the Old French Quarter of Hanoi. I rode on the back of his motorbike to get there. I am really used to the traffic now after so many visits but Thanh is a great driver too. Before cooking dinner we go to the local market. This is a big open metal building that has about 100 venders inside selling meat, vegetables, flowers, you name it. Lots of flies hovering over the meat. The fish come in all sizes and colors. The vegetables and fruit look good; lots of fruit unique to S.E.Asia. One fruit I like it dragon fruit and here is very sweet and huge. Thanh asked me if I would eat buffalo tongue. I said “sure”. I have had cow tongue before.

I rest and watch TV while Thanh prepares dinner. The kitchen counter is really the floor with two propane burners. After about an hour or more, dinner is ready. Soup, fish, meat, rice, and fruit. Food enough for 10 but there are only 4 of us. I think they think I eat a lot. Ha!! Oh, and I forgot beer. We eat sitting Indian style on the floor, which is the hardest part for me. I cheat and use the wall for support. The soup is very tasty. I think the vegetable is a type of turnip. The fish is very good too, but small bones, so constantly picking them out. The tongue is good, dipped in nuoc man sauce(sp?), and constantly washed down with beer. I am always amazed at how little cooking equipment they have, yet can put together such a great dinner. Of course, the weather now is helping too as you don’t have to sweat through the whole meal. But the local people think it is cold here. So far , perfect for me.

Going back into Hanoi, there is very little traffic and it is only 7:30 pm. Our main problem is the road is narrow, and we are behind a city bus, constantly breathing in fumes. You see a few motobike riders with a death wish, passing with just a sliver of payment on blind curves or hills. Thanh is content to just follow until finally we have passing lane. Back in my $12 room, we watch a soccer match before calling it a day.

Dec. 1
This morning I went to visit my old school. There is a team of volunteers there now, so I wanted to be careful not to upset or intrude on their time or routine, but Pam, the team leader and my friend, invited me to come in the morning. While there, I wanted to look up a few students but I couldn’t find them. I did see a few of the teachers I had worked with before, so that was nice. The principal heard I was there and came and gave me a big hug. He says we are “brothers” so that was very nice. Later, I had lunch at the school with him. For some reason, the principal and his son really like me and he was thrilled to see me. The volunteer team is visiting his home tomorrow, so then of course, he wanted to invited me to come to his home too, so I will do that tomorrow.

There is another teacher, Mr. Quy, who heard I was there and came running to give me a big hug too. He wanted to have lunch with me too. It was very nice that this teachers were so glad to see me again. I was touched. Now, Mr. Quy, wants to see me tonight, so I will see if he calls.

Now, I am going to get my Lao Visa.
Take care.

Dinner is Served

Fresh Fish

The market

Sunday, November 29, 2009

IN Hanoi.


Landed in Seoul, Korea. 5:30 pm. Good flight but any after 10 hours is long no matter where you sitting. Luckily, I sat on aisle seat, but the next seat was vacant, so I could stretch out a little more. Asiana is an ok airlines, but not as good as Cathay Pacific.

After we landed I had almost two hours to get to my connecting flight to Hanoi. As I was getting off, I asked about the connecting gate, got directions, and proceeded off. Well, right away the directions were wrong. Never having been here before, I didn’t know but then got redirected. The big thing is international airport now, is to go through “security” again. Why?? We never leave the area; we all just got off the plane and going directly to the connecting gate. I would like someone to give me the logic for this bureaucracy!! Excuse my rant, but I think this is just frustrating and a waste of time. First we all get in line to go through the transfer area, only there were no airport workers so we had to wait. By then the line begins to accumulate.. Finally, someone comes, a big discussion, and then they say we are in the wrong place. So, off we go to another transfer area. Now, if you are on a tight schedule, this could be nerve wracking. Now, this next place is actually moving, so we proceed quickly.. but of course, it takes time to get the coat off, open the computer bag, take off the shoes, etc... Then once you go through, they want you to collect it quickly and not hold up the line. HA! I took my time because this is where I get rattled if I am not careful..

Saturday, November 28, 2009



Off to a Flying Start.... breezed through check in and security. I think it pays to have an early flight. Flying United to Seattle, and now their checkin is all “touch screen”. Technology! At first, I thought I was going to have to pay an extra $49 USD for my one bag, but that is only for the second bag. Security had no lines, so I could disrobe and not be rushed. Ha! Then it was on to Powells PDX bookstore. I had ordered a book(Say You’re One of Them) online and opted to pickup at the PDX store, thus saving shipping. (my travel tip for the day!)Well, thank heavens, it opens at 6 am- I had forgotten to check when Powells opened. Now that I have had my one Latte from CoffeePeople(highly recommended by my neice), I can function. Didn’t really sleep well last night, so I am hoping I can catch some “shuteye” on my flight to Seoul.




Took off on schedule from Portland. Short 55 minute flight with no glitches. At SeaTac airport, I stumble around like a blind man trying to find the right gate. I always think is should be easy to navigate my way around an American airport but sometimes I have better luck in foreign airports. Anyway, I rode two shuttle trains to get to gate S. I didn’t worry because I had 4 plus hours before my next flight. And I didn't have to go through security again, which is a small blessing.


Just got my New boarding pass with Asiana Airlines. So now, just waiting to board for the long 11 plus hours to Seoul, Korea. So far so good.. Time to make a few pits stops before boarding again. Say a prayer for me.