Hello Friends and Family! I have to admit to being extremely lazy about my blog the last couple of months...Sorry:) We have been so busy! Blah Blah Blah, yes, I know, you hear that all the time, we're all busy right? My other excuse is that we haven't had a camera, and what's a blog post without a picture to go with it. However, the holidays are here, we are getting a new camera for Christmas and I am making it my New Year's Resolution to write more! I can't explain everything that has happened over the past few months, but I'll do my best to give you the abridged version. Here it goes: I have successfully performed in two parent meetings this month. Although I disagree with having them and think they are a pain in the 'you know what' to plan for, they played out nicely and the parents were happy. I went to a Ladies Luncheon/Christmas Exchange with a group of 20 lovely ladies, organized by the extra lovely Liz. When the luncheon was over, I had a belly full of pizza, a cute new purse and Vietnamese doll and a handful of new friends that I looked forward to seeing again. Meanwhile, Piotr was continuing to try his hand at surfing. He never fails to come home with an injury, but he is now able to stand up on the board!
We both had Friday and Saturday of Christmas off. We both missed our families. We were both happy to have each other.
Santa wasn't able to bring our families to us this year, so instead, he brought us 2 days FULL of sunshine, which we both agreed made the holiday seem extra special. Christmas Eve day started with the neighborhood boys, teaching them how to cut out snowflakes, which we decorated our doors with. Around 3pm, we went to Bread of Life for their annual staff Xmas party. It was a wonderful event! Kathleen (owner) gave a touching speech to the staff about how much she loves and appreciates them, and then one of the deaf staff members told the Christmas story in sign. We ate. We laughed. We cried. Then we played! Kathleen organized a gift exchange, kind of like a white elephant exchange, only she had provided all the gifts. Each person got a number. The higher your number, the more gift options you had to choose from. So, number 1 started by choosing a present and opening it. Then number 2 came up, chose a present and then had to make the difficult decision of keeping the present (without knowing its contents) or trading with number 1. We were number 32 out of 35. When it came round to our turn, the hot item seemed to be the huge bulk size jug of cooking oil. Without a second thought, Piotr took a present from under the tree, handed it to the guy who was currently holding the oil and snatched up the oil. Unfortunately for us, number 33 had her eye on the oil too, and within minutes it was gone. We ended up with a girls shirt. Sorry Piotr :(
From Bread of Life, I went to the physical therapist and Piotr went to pick up my computer, which had completely crashed the night before. My session at the therapist left me feeling relaxed and aligned and ready for the evening ahead. Piotr had made reservations at the Life Resort for their Christmas Eve Buffet. We were joining a couple that lived down the street from us, who also happens to be the guy Piotr works for at InDanang.com. We ate again. We enjoyed the company of others. We came home. We went to bed.
Christmas Day, like Christmas Eve, was full of sunshine! I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful day. After talking with my family (funny that it was already Xmas day for us and still Xmas eve for them), we headed straight for the beach. I caught a few rays and Piotr caught a few waves:) A few friends joined us on the beach, and then later we joined them for my first ever vegan Christmas dinner. The dinner turned out to be fantastic, which didn't surprise me, but pleasantly surprised Mr. Meat and Potatoes, Piotr, who thinks a meal isn't a meal unless it has meat and potatoes. We ended the evening with the classic "A Christmas Story", which was better than I remembered it. I really enjoyed the narrative. It was Piotrs first time seeing it and he agreed, the story is really well written and told perfectly from the memory of a young boy.
Sunday. Boxing Day. Chill out. Make a run to Metro. Cook up a huge batch of flour tortillas, which should last us the week. Eat quesadillas. Drop by the Boxing Day party at Liz and John's, enjoy a couple glasses of wine, some good conversation, and call it an early night. With work again on Monday, the holiday was coming to a close. All is all, it was a wonderful Christmas!
Side note:
We now have 2 bikes, which I tend to use more often then Piotr, but we love taking them to the market in the morning! I also got a pair of rollerblades!!! The best location to blade...up and down the beach. Amazing! We bought X-mas presents for the 3 neighborhood kids who ALWAYS come over and hang out with us (Cam, Thinh and Hung)... the kids were sooo happy and surprised and I'm pretty sure we were a huge hit with the parents! Piotr's present to me was a Vietnamese rice hat, 2 pairs of faux sunglasses, and a surprise still to come when our friend gets back from the states. I got Piotr a nice silver money clip with a diamond in it.
Merry Christmas!
<3 angie
Sunday, December 26, 2010
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Mosquito Zapper 5000: A Must Have
The mosquito zapper is a must have in Vietnam. It can be plugged into the wall to recharge, swings like a tennis racket and makes the sound and spark of an outdoor bug zapper. The one night we didn't go on a mosquito hunt before bed, I woke up the next day with bites up and down my body! Don't go to bed without one!
Monday, December 13, 2010
Baby look at me, look at me. You're money, and you know what else? You're a big winner tonight.
I was looking forward to the end of today, and now that time is here. It feels good to be done with my first parent meeting at Superkids. I hate how nervous they make me feel! 7 years of teaching and parents still manage to put me in a tizy. Fortunately, this year, I managed to control "pre-meeting" anxiety with a trip to Hoi An, which occupied my mind and my Sunday. Sunday turned into Monday, which came with a phone call from my friend Carol. She had arranged for an impromptu lunch made especially by her, in honor of our friend Ashleigh, who is moving back to the states on Wednesday. Spicy lemongrass chicken, along with banana flower and mint shrimp, green leafy vegetables with a name I can't say, and loads of rice were served and I got to watch and learn from the whole process. Hopefully, I'll be able to duplicate it and serve it to my babes. The meal filled all the spaces in my head that were full of scary, bad parent meeting thoughts. Thank You Carol!
I have a tendency to get ridiculously worked up sometimes and forget to trust my own confidence. Hello Angie?!$ You're money baby, money baby and you don't even know it :) If I had known it, I would have known that all of my worries were just a big waste of time.. but..... because I didn't "know it" I wasted at least an hour of time that could have been spent on painting the rat on my wall that I've been talking about for the last week, but not doing anything about.
So instead of painting, I got to school two and a half hours early (surprise surprise), ran thru "my lines"(over and over), added a few minor decorative touches to my room (totally unnecessary), and got ready for my "teachers day" debut. It wasn't until my students walked began walking into the class, excited and all aflutter to show off to their parents, that I realized I wasn't the star of this show. They were. Their lively and perceptive personalities shined, and the room lit up with smiles. I couldn't have been more proud of my beautiful babies:)
I have a tendency to get ridiculously worked up sometimes and forget to trust my own confidence. Hello Angie?!$ You're money baby, money baby and you don't even know it :) If I had known it, I would have known that all of my worries were just a big waste of time.. but..... because I didn't "know it" I wasted at least an hour of time that could have been spent on painting the rat on my wall that I've been talking about for the last week, but not doing anything about.
So instead of painting, I got to school two and a half hours early (surprise surprise), ran thru "my lines"(over and over), added a few minor decorative touches to my room (totally unnecessary), and got ready for my "teachers day" debut. It wasn't until my students walked began walking into the class, excited and all aflutter to show off to their parents, that I realized I wasn't the star of this show. They were. Their lively and perceptive personalities shined, and the room lit up with smiles. I couldn't have been more proud of my beautiful babies:)
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Highlights of Hoi An
It's that time of year again - tis the season to be jolly! What better way to spend this time of year than to spend the weekend in Hoi An, a retail Mecca, known for its handmade clothes and shoes. Only a short 45 minute drive from Da Nang, Hoi An emanates pure charm. Vibrant and modern scenery mixed with the ubiquitous fingerprints left over from China and Japan make this "Ancient City of Vietnam" a place definitely worth seeing.
The streets in the Old Town are stacked, one after another after another, with clothing shops, shoe shops, lantern shops, painting shops and more. If you see something you like in a clothing shop, simply point to the mannequin thats sporting your future fit, the salesperson takes your measurements, and the next day you'll have a custom outfit made specifically for you. Alternatively, you can also look through one of the giant catalogs they invariably have in the shop, or bring in a photo or drawing of the look you want and they’ll sew it up for you.
The funny thing about the shops in Hoi An, is that almost every clothing store displays the same style garments. I wonder if one shop started selling a wool coat with an asymmetrical collar, and then all others followed suit, or if the shops are just fronts for the same 2 or 3 "sweatshops" aka "tailors" that offer the exact same garments. In any case, it makes it very difficult to decide which store to choose. This is where the bargaining begins. Such a large proliferation of almost identical shops makes the competition fierce, and when faced with the customer making a purchase elsewhere, any salesperson is bound to lower their prices to keep your business.
The vibrant and bustling open air market mixed with the proud old buildings, elaborately carved wooden facades and exteriors colored blues, yellows, greens and reds, from paint made of shells from the sea, make this town's old fashioned charm always visible.
In the evening, the quiet streets of Hoi An are at their most romantic, bathed in a rainbow of glowing paper lanterns in all manner of shapes of sizes. I purchased a beautiful orange one that I have hanging over our kitchen table.
Although the city is known for its retail, you can't visit the city and not try one of their specialty dishes. Hoi An is famous for its Cao Lau dish, which consists of flat noodles mixed with bean sprouts and greens and topped with pork slices. It's served with crumbled crispy rice paper immediately before eating. Cao Lau is said to be unique in Hoi An because the water used in the preparation of the authentic dish must come from a particular well in town. I have heard that they sell Cao Lau in Da Nang, but that it doesn't compare to the one in Hoi An. All I know is that the Cao Lau I had was DELICIOUS, and would be hard to beat!
The alluring, attractive and appetizing atmostphere of Hoi An works its magic on you within a few hours of being there. At the end of our first night there, we sat in the Cargo Bar, overlooking the Thu Bon River and watched the sun slowly color the buildings of the Old Town as it descended into darkness.
Our evening ended with a boat ride down the river from a husband and wife duo (not the ones seen in the picture.)
The streets in the Old Town are stacked, one after another after another, with clothing shops, shoe shops, lantern shops, painting shops and more. If you see something you like in a clothing shop, simply point to the mannequin thats sporting your future fit, the salesperson takes your measurements, and the next day you'll have a custom outfit made specifically for you. Alternatively, you can also look through one of the giant catalogs they invariably have in the shop, or bring in a photo or drawing of the look you want and they’ll sew it up for you.
The funny thing about the shops in Hoi An, is that almost every clothing store displays the same style garments. I wonder if one shop started selling a wool coat with an asymmetrical collar, and then all others followed suit, or if the shops are just fronts for the same 2 or 3 "sweatshops" aka "tailors" that offer the exact same garments. In any case, it makes it very difficult to decide which store to choose. This is where the bargaining begins. Such a large proliferation of almost identical shops makes the competition fierce, and when faced with the customer making a purchase elsewhere, any salesperson is bound to lower their prices to keep your business.
The vibrant and bustling open air market mixed with the proud old buildings, elaborately carved wooden facades and exteriors colored blues, yellows, greens and reds, from paint made of shells from the sea, make this town's old fashioned charm always visible.
Although the city is known for its retail, you can't visit the city and not try one of their specialty dishes. Hoi An is famous for its Cao Lau dish, which consists of flat noodles mixed with bean sprouts and greens and topped with pork slices. It's served with crumbled crispy rice paper immediately before eating. Cao Lau is said to be unique in Hoi An because the water used in the preparation of the authentic dish must come from a particular well in town. I have heard that they sell Cao Lau in Da Nang, but that it doesn't compare to the one in Hoi An. All I know is that the Cao Lau I had was DELICIOUS, and would be hard to beat!
Our evening ended with a boat ride down the river from a husband and wife duo (not the ones seen in the picture.)
Good Times Good Times! Thank You Hoi An!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Dumpster Diving
Everybody was dumpster diving
Gotta be fast as lightning
In fact it was a little bit frightning
Fleeing the scene with a prize in hiding
Man I love it when we're dumpster diving!
They were funky peacock mats from funky junk town
They were scrapping them up and they were scrapping them down
They were scrapping them up and they were scrapping them down
It's the latest craze that some may call an art,
Like a Treasure Hunt at the local D-Mart.
Everybody was dumpster diving
Gotta be fast as lightning
In fact it was a little bit frightning
Fleeing the scene with a prize in hiding
But acting like it's just joy riding!
From rubbish to riches, the quintessential image
Rescuing a bed from almost certain oblivion
You can call me the recycling champion!
Everybody was dumpster diving
Gotta be fast as lightning
In fact it was a little bit frightning
Fleeing the scene with a prize in hiding
But acting like it's just joy riding!
Man I love it when we're dumpster diving!
Rain, Rain, Go Away
Rain, Rain, Go Away, Come again another day! Angie wants to play. Rain, Rain, Go Away!
Rain, Rain, Go Away. I guess I'll stay inside today. Paint the walls to hide the grey. Rain, Rain, Go Away.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Fisher's Superkids
The list of reasons why I love teaching abroad is endless. It’s a great way to get to know a culture up close and personal, to give back, make some money, gain work experience, see the world, and so on. The hard part is deciding where to do it!
Vietnam was an easy decision. It has good weather, amazing beaches, cheap food, and hosted friends who gave me the 411 on their experiences. The challenge was in choosing a school where I would fit in, make enough money to live comfortably, and feel supported. I spent hours sending emails, attaching CVs and cover letters, and selling myself via skype interviews before I came across Fisher's Superkids. The introductory email I recieved from the owner letting me know his wife was a Michigander from Saginaw had me hooked. Then came the line about passion and heart of the school, their beginnings, and their hopes for the future of the school and the children of Vietnam. The sinker however was the fact that the school is located in Da Nang, Vietnam, home to the world famous China Beach!
****picture to come
Superkids is a family owned school that has been in business for 5 years. The school is made up of over 1000 students, 15 Vietnamese Teacher Assistants and 6 native teachers. The student body is primarily 4 - 13 year olds, with the exception of a few teenage classes. I was assigned to the youngest of the bunch! I have two Potato Pals groups, which are 4-6 year olds, a Fingerprints group, which is 6-7 year olds, and Let's Begin, which is 7-8 year olds. This is my first time working with such young kids, let alone young kids that don't speak my language, and let me tell you it is not easy. I give mad props to people like my Grandma Eunice, Mrs. Bolek, and Heather Trusock, who are kindergarten teachers through and through. I don't know how you did/do it every day and still have hair on your head!
My "Let's Begin" class is by far my favorite group because they remind me of my fabulous 4th graders back home and I can speak in full sentences when I talk to them. Potato Pals 1 is my most challenging group, and at the same time the most adorable. I have to be a singing, dancing machine to meet their constant need for attention, movement and entertainment. The pictures below are of Potato Pals 1.
During this lesson, we were learning about "Good Friends" and the students made flowers to place their picture on for our "Field of Friends" bulletin board.
I teach Monday thru Friday from 5:00-8:15pm and Saturday 4pm-5pm at Fisherkids. Along with these classes, I also teach at two different preschools twice a week and I am starting a private tutor session next week with a woman in her mid 30's. My schedule conveniently seems to coincide with the rain, making commutes to and from work generally dry.
Aside from the rain, I love everything about Vietnam and I am very happy with my decision to become part of the team at Fisher's Superkids!
Vietnam was an easy decision. It has good weather, amazing beaches, cheap food, and hosted friends who gave me the 411 on their experiences. The challenge was in choosing a school where I would fit in, make enough money to live comfortably, and feel supported. I spent hours sending emails, attaching CVs and cover letters, and selling myself via skype interviews before I came across Fisher's Superkids. The introductory email I recieved from the owner letting me know his wife was a Michigander from Saginaw had me hooked. Then came the line about passion and heart of the school, their beginnings, and their hopes for the future of the school and the children of Vietnam. The sinker however was the fact that the school is located in Da Nang, Vietnam, home to the world famous China Beach!
****picture to come
Superkids is a family owned school that has been in business for 5 years. The school is made up of over 1000 students, 15 Vietnamese Teacher Assistants and 6 native teachers. The student body is primarily 4 - 13 year olds, with the exception of a few teenage classes. I was assigned to the youngest of the bunch! I have two Potato Pals groups, which are 4-6 year olds, a Fingerprints group, which is 6-7 year olds, and Let's Begin, which is 7-8 year olds. This is my first time working with such young kids, let alone young kids that don't speak my language, and let me tell you it is not easy. I give mad props to people like my Grandma Eunice, Mrs. Bolek, and Heather Trusock, who are kindergarten teachers through and through. I don't know how you did/do it every day and still have hair on your head!
My "Let's Begin" class is by far my favorite group because they remind me of my fabulous 4th graders back home and I can speak in full sentences when I talk to them. Potato Pals 1 is my most challenging group, and at the same time the most adorable. I have to be a singing, dancing machine to meet their constant need for attention, movement and entertainment. The pictures below are of Potato Pals 1.
During this lesson, we were learning about "Good Friends" and the students made flowers to place their picture on for our "Field of Friends" bulletin board.
I teach Monday thru Friday from 5:00-8:15pm and Saturday 4pm-5pm at Fisherkids. Along with these classes, I also teach at two different preschools twice a week and I am starting a private tutor session next week with a woman in her mid 30's. My schedule conveniently seems to coincide with the rain, making commutes to and from work generally dry.
Aside from the rain, I love everything about Vietnam and I am very happy with my decision to become part of the team at Fisher's Superkids!
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Da Nang... Da Hood
We have a prime time location! You're Time, Our Time, Prime Time! We live only 3 minutes walk from the ocean, 3 minute moto ride to the river, 5 minute moto ride to work and 20 minute ride from the mountains! It's all about location. Location! Location! Location!
The house is two stories, with a bedroom and bathroom on each floor, a decent size kitchen and a spacious living room that opens to the second story loft, which will soon become the office.
I can't wait to play Design on a Dong with this place! Personally, I think the best feature of the house are the very Vietnamese mint green tiles. The color reminds me of a hospital... hmmm...maybe a big red cross picture would make a nice ornament for the wall?
I'm also thinking about painting a couple of the walls. Inspired by Carol Kang and Division Ave, I'm thinking of going with a deep teal on the walls and using rusty oranges, golden delicious yellows and wood tones to accent.
Stay tuned as Design on a Dong in Da Nang turns this simple two story home into a stylish, modern, seaside escape!
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Teacher of 3 weeks Award :)
Yesterday, I was awarded "Teacher of the Month" by the staff at my school. The award was followed by a 30 minute stroking session in the hot seat, where I had to listen to the entire staff tell me how great I was! Funny thing is, I haven't even been at the school a month yet! The whole thing was embarrassing and unnecessary, but hey, I got a free spa package out of it, so I probably shouldn't complain.
Monday, October 25, 2010
Marble Mountain/Ngũ Hành Sơn - Oct. 24, 2010
Marble Mountain/Ngũ Hành Sơn - Oct. 24, 2010
Yesterday, we took our first mini road trip to Marble Mountains, a group of 5 mountains, located about 8 miles south of Da Nang. The five 'mountains' are named after the five elements; Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). Theses mountains rise out of the surrounding flat plains like monolithic monuments. Thuy Son (water) is the largest of the five and offers an amazing view of the city from its peak rising 105meters straight out of the sand. The climb to the top took about 20 minutes and the stairs were extremely steep. I was so grateful for the railing, especially on the way down when my knees were shaking like crazy and I it felt like my legs were gonna give out.
After such an intense trek, we decided it was time to take a fiver and enjoy some fresh coconut juice. First, you suck down all the juice with a straw, then hack it open and dig into the delectable seed.
Yesterday, we took our first mini road trip to Marble Mountains, a group of 5 mountains, located about 8 miles south of Da Nang. The five 'mountains' are named after the five elements; Kim (metal), Thuy (water), Moc (wood), Hoa (fire) and Tho (earth). Theses mountains rise out of the surrounding flat plains like monolithic monuments. Thuy Son (water) is the largest of the five and offers an amazing view of the city from its peak rising 105meters straight out of the sand. The climb to the top took about 20 minutes and the stairs were extremely steep. I was so grateful for the railing, especially on the way down when my knees were shaking like crazy and I it felt like my legs were gonna give out.
After such an intense trek, we decided it was time to take a fiver and enjoy some fresh coconut juice. First, you suck down all the juice with a straw, then hack it open and dig into the delectable seed.
The juice of the coconut is clear, mildly sweet and slightly salty. The white, meaty flesh of the coconut is firm, sweet and nutty!
The main attractions of the mountains are the numerous caves and grottoes, with some made into pagodas and shrines, once inhabited by monks. However, on the day we visited, the main attraction was Piotr! We were stopped at least 4 or 5 times by swarms of teenagers begging to have their pictures taken with him. Dang! 5,000 dongs a picture and we could of had dinner paid for the next month:)
My favorite cave was the one with 3 openings at the top where sunshine poured in, spotlighting the incense smoke that filled the room.
After spending a good couple hours exploring Thuy Son, we decided to check out the scene in the village at the base of the mountain.
The third picture totally reminded me of a lizard sticking its tongue out :~
Lunch was scrumdittilyumptious!
Fresh greens and cucumbers, grilled shrimp, broth, a heaping plate of rice and grilled pork.
The best way to eat is to scope out what the Vietnamese peeps are eating, and when you see something you like, just point. Works every time:)
While exploring the outskirts, we happened upon a few fellow motorbikers waiting for the ferry to carry them across the river and decided to join them.
I swear, the woman I am sitting next to gave me the ok to sit by her, but the look on her face says "Who the hell are you and why you sitting next to me?" Gotta love it!
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Destination Egg Sammy
Destination Egg Sammy
Awoken by the sound of signaling motorbikes, babbling children, and mawkish Vietnamese ballets, I longed for a snooze button that would silence the sounds of the streets, and give me just 9 more minutes of precious sleep. Instead, I opened my eyes to bright rays of sun reaching in thru the patio window, spreading their fingers across the room.
The dawn of day brought on a desire for something delicious. Hmmm....but what to have? We decided to mull it over over a cup of cà phê sua đá (sweetened coffee with ice). By far the best coffee I've ever had and at the low low price of 5000 dongs (25 cents), how can't it be:)
After a cup-a-joe and much consideration, we had decided on egg sammies for breakfast. The only questions that remained were where to find it and what to call it? Luckily, thanks to our infallible friend "googletranslate" we found the words for "fried egg sandwich" and headed out to the local street vendors in search of breakfast. Destination "egg sandwich" landed us around the corner from our hotel. It was a small joint, decked out in "kid size" red plastic chairs, metal tables, pinkie size lizards scurrying along the walls, and a sign advertising Bánh mì as its specialty, it was the quintessential example of a street side restaurant. Bánh mì is a french baguette sandwich stuffed with grilled meats, pork pâté, or fried egg, plus fresh herbs and vegetables, and can be found on almost every street corner. Needless to say, we ordered ours with fried egg, and as a bonus got a serving of chicken broth and a pitcher of iced tea.
Before our full bellies had time to bulge, we knew we had found our new breakfast spot. A filling and tasty breakfast for two at the affordable price of only $1.60. I could definitely wake up to this deliciousness on a daily basis. Til tomorrow....
Awoken by the sound of signaling motorbikes, babbling children, and mawkish Vietnamese ballets, I longed for a snooze button that would silence the sounds of the streets, and give me just 9 more minutes of precious sleep. Instead, I opened my eyes to bright rays of sun reaching in thru the patio window, spreading their fingers across the room.
After a cup-a-joe and much consideration, we had decided on egg sammies for breakfast. The only questions that remained were where to find it and what to call it? Luckily, thanks to our infallible friend "googletranslate" we found the words for "fried egg sandwich" and headed out to the local street vendors in search of breakfast. Destination "egg sandwich" landed us around the corner from our hotel. It was a small joint, decked out in "kid size" red plastic chairs, metal tables, pinkie size lizards scurrying along the walls, and a sign advertising Bánh mì as its specialty, it was the quintessential example of a street side restaurant. Bánh mì is a french baguette sandwich stuffed with grilled meats, pork pâté, or fried egg, plus fresh herbs and vegetables, and can be found on almost every street corner. Needless to say, we ordered ours with fried egg, and as a bonus got a serving of chicken broth and a pitcher of iced tea.
Before our full bellies had time to bulge, we knew we had found our new breakfast spot. A filling and tasty breakfast for two at the affordable price of only $1.60. I could definitely wake up to this deliciousness on a daily basis. Til tomorrow....
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Traffic and Honking and Helmets, Oh My!
Fumes and Masks and Motos, Oh My!
If there is one thing I'm scared of in Vietnam, its the motorbike madness. One miscalculation of speed, direction, or the intent of the other drivers and its Crash, Bang, Boom and Burn Baby! The rules of the road are: Look and Listen. Look ONLY at whats ahead of you and Listen for the "honk honk honking" of horns signaling "on your left." This works well when you're on a straightaway, but as for intersections, its every man for himself. Natives have a blithe disregard for the rules of the road, weaving in and out of lanes, driving against the grain of traffic, and 5 giant crates full from using the rearview. For a foreigner who lives by the motto "safety first", this kind of situation is intimidating to say the least.
Fears, Fractures and Fatality aside, we had our first go against the traffic this weekend. Piotr as driver and me as passenger, we hit the streets of Da Nang on a Red Honda Wave fit for two. The bike was loaned to us by the lovely Kathleen at Bread of Life, one of our new fave restaurants. Up until this point, we had been relying on our legs and feet as our main form of transportation, which made us stick out even more so than the color of our skin or the length of Piotrs legs :)) The motorbike to a Vietnamese is an extension of themselves, a bionic limb that delivers door to door service come rain or shine. Walking is an absolute last resort.
Possessing a motorbike is like having a disguise that allows you to roam the streets, concealed from the gawking stares and pointing fingers that foreigners, especially those on foot, are often subject to. Add to that a helmet, face mask, and elbow length gloves and you are practically invisible.
My ensemble consists of a smurf blue face mask with a cream, felt squirrel stitched on the front to match my smurf blue helmet with a sassy pink rabbit decal on the back. The helmet was a surprise gift from Piotr :) Rabsy Babsy sportin her rabbit helmet. He wouldn't have it any other way!
Piotr, on the other hand, went for a more subtle, manly look, with a red and black helmet and a navy, white and black plaid face mask. As for the elbow length gloves, well, what can I say, we foreigners like our sunshine and we're still getting used to the heat. Guess we'll have to settle for a "fit" thats not quite complete :)
If there is one thing I'm scared of in Vietnam, its the motorbike madness. One miscalculation of speed, direction, or the intent of the other drivers and its Crash, Bang, Boom and Burn Baby! The rules of the road are: Look and Listen. Look ONLY at whats ahead of you and Listen for the "honk honk honking" of horns signaling "on your left." This works well when you're on a straightaway, but as for intersections, its every man for himself. Natives have a blithe disregard for the rules of the road, weaving in and out of lanes, driving against the grain of traffic, and 5 giant crates full from using the rearview. For a foreigner who lives by the motto "safety first", this kind of situation is intimidating to say the least.
Fears, Fractures and Fatality aside, we had our first go against the traffic this weekend. Piotr as driver and me as passenger, we hit the streets of Da Nang on a Red Honda Wave fit for two. The bike was loaned to us by the lovely Kathleen at Bread of Life, one of our new fave restaurants. Up until this point, we had been relying on our legs and feet as our main form of transportation, which made us stick out even more so than the color of our skin or the length of Piotrs legs :)) The motorbike to a Vietnamese is an extension of themselves, a bionic limb that delivers door to door service come rain or shine. Walking is an absolute last resort.
Possessing a motorbike is like having a disguise that allows you to roam the streets, concealed from the gawking stares and pointing fingers that foreigners, especially those on foot, are often subject to. Add to that a helmet, face mask, and elbow length gloves and you are practically invisible.
My ensemble consists of a smurf blue face mask with a cream, felt squirrel stitched on the front to match my smurf blue helmet with a sassy pink rabbit decal on the back. The helmet was a surprise gift from Piotr :) Rabsy Babsy sportin her rabbit helmet. He wouldn't have it any other way!
Piotr, on the other hand, went for a more subtle, manly look, with a red and black helmet and a navy, white and black plaid face mask. As for the elbow length gloves, well, what can I say, we foreigners like our sunshine and we're still getting used to the heat. Guess we'll have to settle for a "fit" thats not quite complete :)
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Day 1. Check.
Vietnam: Day 1
Passport. Check. Tickets. Check. Bags packed and weighing under 23 kilos. Check... again!
Minus the rearranging and forfeiting of heavy items at the check in counter (surprise surprise), our departure from Poland went smoothly. We left Warsaw on Wednesday at 5:30pm and arrived in HCMC on Thursday at 5:30pm. The seemingly endless flight was no more than a cat nap thanks to the Xanax and red wine I consumed shortly after the onflight meal. Next thing I knew we were preparing for landing.
Passport. Check.
Immigration. Check.
Luggage. Check. Check. Check. Check.
Name of the taxi company that won't rip you off. Check.
Feeling ready, or as ready as we'd ever be, we emerged through the airport doors to a barrage of eager-eyed taxi touts and an incredible wall of heat and humidity.
Welcome to Vietnam Baby!
After a few minutes of haggling with the taxi lady, we were on our way to meet our new friends Anne and Josh, a couple of fellow Americans who are also livin it up in the Nam! The taxi ride gave us a glimpse into the chaos that is Ho Chi Minh City! Motorbikes rule the roads transporting every imaginable (and unimaginable) item you can think of, including an entire family. As I stared out the window I was mesmerized by the jumble of images in front of me. Flashy neon lights, sleek skyscrapers, and designer shops fill the spaces between the teeming markets and ramshackle wooden shops selling silk, baskets, safes, spices... you name it, they've got it.
Needless to say it was a LOT to take in in the short 20 minute ride to the apartment. So close to the madness, yet so far away, the unpretentious air of the apartment made me feel like I was home again. A modern, two bedroom apartment with all the amenities you could need or want to live comfortably, couch, TV, shower, washing machine, and most importantly, the access to unlimited air conditioning! Now this I can handle :)
After we got ourselves settled and had bombarded Josh and Anne with every Expat question possible, we decided it was time to go back out into the chaos and try out some local cuisine. We chose a place that probably has a name, I couldn't tell you what it was, but was known for its Lemon Grass Chicken Chili. I dined on the house special and tried out a local beer, 333 (pronounced ba ba ba) and Piotr had some beef dish. The food was good, but I have to say it was the $12 tab (4 meals plus drinks) that was excellent!
Good on the grub, but wanting more beer, we headed over to a popular expat bar where Josh was showcasing a collection of his photography, mostly pieces from his travels throughout Vietnam. Check out his stuff here at: http://flicker.com/photos/vnsmiles/sets/
An hour or so later, now full from the tastes and images of a novel place, we all decided it was time to head home, get some good sleep and prepare the busy day ahead.
Day 1. Check.
heartangie
Passport. Check. Tickets. Check. Bags packed and weighing under 23 kilos. Check... again!
Minus the rearranging and forfeiting of heavy items at the check in counter (surprise surprise), our departure from Poland went smoothly. We left Warsaw on Wednesday at 5:30pm and arrived in HCMC on Thursday at 5:30pm. The seemingly endless flight was no more than a cat nap thanks to the Xanax and red wine I consumed shortly after the onflight meal. Next thing I knew we were preparing for landing.
Passport. Check.
Immigration. Check.
Luggage. Check. Check. Check. Check.
Name of the taxi company that won't rip you off. Check.
Feeling ready, or as ready as we'd ever be, we emerged through the airport doors to a barrage of eager-eyed taxi touts and an incredible wall of heat and humidity.
Welcome to Vietnam Baby!
After a few minutes of haggling with the taxi lady, we were on our way to meet our new friends Anne and Josh, a couple of fellow Americans who are also livin it up in the Nam! The taxi ride gave us a glimpse into the chaos that is Ho Chi Minh City! Motorbikes rule the roads transporting every imaginable (and unimaginable) item you can think of, including an entire family. As I stared out the window I was mesmerized by the jumble of images in front of me. Flashy neon lights, sleek skyscrapers, and designer shops fill the spaces between the teeming markets and ramshackle wooden shops selling silk, baskets, safes, spices... you name it, they've got it.
Needless to say it was a LOT to take in in the short 20 minute ride to the apartment. So close to the madness, yet so far away, the unpretentious air of the apartment made me feel like I was home again. A modern, two bedroom apartment with all the amenities you could need or want to live comfortably, couch, TV, shower, washing machine, and most importantly, the access to unlimited air conditioning! Now this I can handle :)
After we got ourselves settled and had bombarded Josh and Anne with every Expat question possible, we decided it was time to go back out into the chaos and try out some local cuisine. We chose a place that probably has a name, I couldn't tell you what it was, but was known for its Lemon Grass Chicken Chili. I dined on the house special and tried out a local beer, 333 (pronounced ba ba ba) and Piotr had some beef dish. The food was good, but I have to say it was the $12 tab (4 meals plus drinks) that was excellent!
Good on the grub, but wanting more beer, we headed over to a popular expat bar where Josh was showcasing a collection of his photography, mostly pieces from his travels throughout Vietnam. Check out his stuff here at: http://flicker.com/photos/vnsmiles/sets/
An hour or so later, now full from the tastes and images of a novel place, we all decided it was time to head home, get some good sleep and prepare the busy day ahead.
Day 1. Check.
heartangie
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Angie, not Angela
My name is Angie Lee VanElsacker. I was given this name on the day of my birth, June 18, 1980, by my loving parents, Phil and Luanne VanElsacker.
I think its safe to say that I can give my dad all the credit for a my last name, VanElsacker, a name that has been a source of frustration. It's the kind of last name that you can never say once during an introduction, is always misspelled, mispronounced, and has an ending susceptible to many inappropriate nicknames. If you went to high school with me you know what I'm talking about. Frankly speaking, I used to look forward to the day I would meet the man of my dreams, take his name and live happily ever after. No more repeated introductions, no more botched pronunciations, no more nicknames. Never in my wildest dreams, did I think that my prince charming would find my last name charming as well. Not to mention the fact that he said it right the first time. He likes how it feels on his tongue when he says it, the way it sounds when he hears it and how the first three letters point directly to my roots.
The earliest VanElsackers came from Antwerp, Belgium in 1354. My ancestor was a mayor and beer brewer in the village of Loenhout, just outside Antwerp.
The name VanElsacker means "he from an acre surrounded by alders."
Van = from (a noble family that ruled over land)
Els = Alder (a tree)
Acker = acre (land)
As time has gone by, I've come to really love my last name. Its unique. Its old. Its mine.
My first name, on the other hand, was given to me by my mother. I have always liked my first name and from my own personal experience, it's still a fairly unique name. I can't think of one person that I know personally with the name Angie. Now, some of you might be thinking, yeah right, I know tons of Angelas, its not unique at all. This is where I step in to inform you that my name is Angie, not Angela. Angie Lee VanElsacker, and I have the birth certificate to prove it.
However, Its my middle name that played a bigger role in me becoming Angie, not Angela. My mom really liked "Lee" but Angela Lee was one too many la la la la's for her liking, so she traded the "la" for an "i" and there you have it: Angie Lee. What I really liked about my middle name is how my mom chose to spell it. When did "eigh" start making the "long e" sound anyway? (no offense christina leigh zerbel brawt :)
More recently, I've acquired a bundle of nicknames thanks to my lovely boyfriend, who rarely calls me by my given name. He seems to prefer Boo, Rabs, Rabbit, Booboo, Rabsy Babsy, Bunches, Boobini, Rabonctious, and Rabbizzle, just to name a few.
Needless to say, I started out as Angie and thats the way I'll stay.
I think its safe to say that I can give my dad all the credit for a my last name, VanElsacker, a name that has been a source of frustration. It's the kind of last name that you can never say once during an introduction, is always misspelled, mispronounced, and has an ending susceptible to many inappropriate nicknames. If you went to high school with me you know what I'm talking about. Frankly speaking, I used to look forward to the day I would meet the man of my dreams, take his name and live happily ever after. No more repeated introductions, no more botched pronunciations, no more nicknames. Never in my wildest dreams, did I think that my prince charming would find my last name charming as well. Not to mention the fact that he said it right the first time. He likes how it feels on his tongue when he says it, the way it sounds when he hears it and how the first three letters point directly to my roots.
The earliest VanElsackers came from Antwerp, Belgium in 1354. My ancestor was a mayor and beer brewer in the village of Loenhout, just outside Antwerp.
The name VanElsacker means "he from an acre surrounded by alders."
Van = from (a noble family that ruled over land)
Els = Alder (a tree)
Acker = acre (land)
As time has gone by, I've come to really love my last name. Its unique. Its old. Its mine.
My first name, on the other hand, was given to me by my mother. I have always liked my first name and from my own personal experience, it's still a fairly unique name. I can't think of one person that I know personally with the name Angie. Now, some of you might be thinking, yeah right, I know tons of Angelas, its not unique at all. This is where I step in to inform you that my name is Angie, not Angela. Angie Lee VanElsacker, and I have the birth certificate to prove it.
However, Its my middle name that played a bigger role in me becoming Angie, not Angela. My mom really liked "Lee" but Angela Lee was one too many la la la la's for her liking, so she traded the "la" for an "i" and there you have it: Angie Lee. What I really liked about my middle name is how my mom chose to spell it. When did "eigh" start making the "long e" sound anyway? (no offense christina leigh zerbel brawt :)
More recently, I've acquired a bundle of nicknames thanks to my lovely boyfriend, who rarely calls me by my given name. He seems to prefer Boo, Rabs, Rabbit, Booboo, Rabsy Babsy, Bunches, Boobini, Rabonctious, and Rabbizzle, just to name a few.
Needless to say, I started out as Angie and thats the way I'll stay.
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