Vietnam Halftime Show (PICTURES!!!!)

Throughout my vacation I've been snapping photos with my Nikon. I was supposed to have them developed today but due to rain, I couldn't. But once I get them developed and scanned, I'll share them with y'all. Hopefully they turn out fucking grandtastic! For now, here are some pictures taken with the digi by my mom, sister, cousins and friends for you to see. Enjoy.

where we are staying (aunt & uncles)	mean streets of Saigon
Saigon by night	Uncle (moms side) & grandpa (dads side)
Ladies on the train to Phan Thiet (Mai not shown)	...also on the train were the boys
cows cold lampin'	off the train, to the resort
more of the resort	some locals crab catching in the morning
La Familia	White Sand Desert in Phan Theit
lake in the middle of the desert	feeble attempt at sliding down upwards
pushed him down the sand dune....guy wouldn't go down though	you can buy this monkey for $30
the girls shopping...	...so naturally, I joined in
"the n!&#@ you love to hate"	mama
me perpitrating Mai's picture	me and my mom
dudes were great, well deserving of some $	La Familia II

this monkey still needs a loving home.

SImplest of Things Make the Greatest of Moments

My mom just came back from the store with my aunt. They brought home a washing machine, along with other goodies.

The dude brought up the washing machine and taught them how to use it - Before this, they'd wash clothes the old fashioned way. You know, with a washing board and clothes hangers and all. I guess my moms been saying she was gonna get one for them awhile back, but my grandma had always ojected to the idea of it, afraid that the electric bills would soar. The same went for an air conditioner.

Anyways, she bought one and they got a little "how to" lesson on the thing. My aunt and cousin asked the cutest questions all the while.

"So do we put the water in the washing machine?" "Do we have to dump the water out? Where does the water go then?"

The look of astonishment and amazement highlighted the moment even more.

I've been under the weather a bit, but that there shined a bit of light on what was dull-ass day.

WARNING!!!!!!!! Eating dog, Fucking 10 year olds, and questioning the bible

So....today I decided to ride the pretenious train. Therefore, be aware that this blogs contains some mad hatred. Please stay away if you're not down for negativity. If you are though....

In my best conductor roar, "ALL ABOARD!!!"

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Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Today, as any normal day starts off with me going across the way to grab some breakfast, then to the local internet shop to watch the Padres, via play by play. Today, the padres beat the Dodgers in bonus innnings. Very exciting to read along. Ive gotten used to the text, really.
I also read some mixed reviews about Clerks II. I don't take them seriously. It's best not to. Even reading them may have poisoned my opinions slighty. Ill try not to let it have an effect on mine though.

The rest of the day goes by pretty quickly. As I finish eating dinner, my uncle asks if I wanna go with him and drink a little. Who am I to say no? So I go along with no expectations. The place we end up at is right next to our house (about 20 minutes walking distance), but he ends up taking me all around Saigon, so that I can seep in the whole nightlife. I see alot of foreigners. I don't know if they're American, French, English or whatever, but I'm very intrigued by them. I want to go to a bar somewhere and have some conversations, in english , with people. Again, it's a Tuesday, but it's as lively as a Friday. As he's driving, I'm asking questions.

"Where is this place? What is this street?"

I ask so that in the future I can grab a taxi and go out by myself. I've stayed in Vietnam for about a week and a half and I've yet to go anywhere by myself. I plan on leaving the house I'm staying at (65 binh thoi) and travel with some money, a blanket, a change of clothes and a camera in hand within the next day or so. This way I can fully experience and take in everything.

For now, I go along with my uncle. The place we drink at is a hole in the wall, so it goes. Its quite the watering hole for the locals. One of the waitresses is very cute, but I only stare. We stay and drink some beers, eat some appetizers and talk a bit and do the same at another place. He reminds me alot of my own dad. Similar qualities, good and bad.

Both places served some unique delicatessens. i don't question what it is. I just eat. For all I know it could be dog meat. Whatever. i mean whose to say what is socially and worldly accepted?

It pisses me off SOOOOO much when people have the odacity to say, "you people eat dog. Thats so gross." Even though people have given up eating dog for over a decade, that social stigma has followed us along. That ignorance only proves to me that you know nothing. Not only do you know nothing, you have proven to me that your friendship is invaluable to me as a sack of dog shit. You live in a bubble and I pity you.

People forget that there are thousands of religions, cultures, and way of lifes. They tend to stick to their guns and follow a set of rules in which was written thousands of years ago. Whats the social norm? That question is hard enough to answer as is. So how can you answer what the global norm is?

We eat beef likes its nothing, but in India it's not allowed. Are we wrong? Whos to say? The age of consent in Canada is 14 while we live in a country where its 18. If some guy in the sky centuries ago said it was OK to fuck an 11 year old and not a 10 year old. We'd be saying...."eeewww. you fucked a 10 year old?" but it'd be ok to fuck an 11 year old.
Im not trying to legitimize fucking 10 year olds. Merely, what I'm saying is the way we live is the way WE live. It's is set of rules so that we can be controlled a bit. If not for it, We'd be running around living like hedons without a care. But its to be taken with a grain of slat and nothing more.

I don't wan't to go around burning down the U.S. flag, but for fucks sake, I'd like to have the right to do so!

To question the way people live is not right, nor is it moral. We have ours as do others have theirs.

I'm tired of people with their racial and ignorant statements. Nor will I tolerate such. Please understand me when I give someone the shine when I hear bullshit like this.

Departure: SAIGON, Arrival: PHAN THEIT

I finished reading Kafka on the Shore just as the train headed to a halt. REALLLY Enjoyable novel...which can be expected when you pick up a Haruki Murakami book. However, the ride was quite the opposite. Those wooden seats can get a bit unbearable at times. However, lost comfort was made up with some great scenery.

Its much different here....as expected.

During the four hour train ride, Saigon is the only thing that resembles a city. But once we got out of Saigon, which only takes 30 minutes, its a different story. The rest of the way is more rural consisting of plenty of lush vegetation - from ordinary shrubry and bushes to banana trees and tobacco plants. An occasional cow every so often. My cousin would point out some things here and there as I was reading. I didn't mind. Prior, I never knew how rubber was collected from the trees - now I know. It was shocking to see so much produce and so little farmers. Even more, there were no houses or dwellings in plain site. They did their farming and god know where they did their sleeping.

The rural areas got depressing, yet stayed interesting at the same time to say the least.....quite the sight, really.

On the train, a lady missed her stop and flipped out. The cussing and raging got her nowhere though. Shes gonna have to waste at least another four hours till she arrives to her final destination. Its her fault really, so it goes.

After multiple stops to the middle of nowhere, we arrived at Phan Thiet - A coastal city famously known for their fish sauce. We'll be staying here for the next three days and two nights. Im rooming with my moms high school friends son, Anh. Hes about my age and he drinks, which is a plus. My mom, sister and cousins are in the other room. Both rooms are the same size.

After we ate, we walked the beach a bit. I manned and film camera while the others manned the digital. During this, I noticed my wide angle lens is fucked up, so the pictures I've been snapping with it are gonna be fucked. Im bummed for a awhile, but i eventually get over it. Whatever.

Im here now resting in my room with a great view of the outside. Tonight I'm gonna take a dive in the pool and sleep. Don't know exactly whats gonna happen after that though.

Imagine me in some speedos

July 20, 2006

Imagine me in some speedos.


So i went swimming today. The thing I didn't know is that you have to wear a damn speedo to enter the pool! Fuck it right? Whatever. I took off my board shorts and changed into some rented out speedos that'd put those short shorts of sharisses to shame*.

Anyways...The recreational area there was pretty nice. Karate and taekwondo lessons are on Tuesdays and Thursdays. We happen to be there when that was happening. Along with the aformentioned, there was also badminton (sp?), soccer, tennis and the like. A modern day Vietnamese YMCA one would say. The thing that intrigued me (other this really sweet skatable five stair) was this game they were playing, much like hackey sack. Instead, it was this wierd ass thing with feathers sticking out that they were kicking. The object was comparable to one of those badminton thingys (hopefully i can find a picture of it). The people playing were pretty impressive.....at least I was impressed.

After swimming, I was beat - a byproduct of swimming i guess. My mom forced me to go meet, eat and hang out with her high school friends son, considering I'd been hanging out with my cousins this whole time. I had no energy to do shit, so being the stubborn mother fucker that I am, I declined. My mom was pissed, but somehow got me to go anyways - this seems to be a reoccuring theme.

So I meet this guy (nice dude, named Anh) and we all go eat. I have my occasional Hieneken (as they call it, Ken). Here, Ken is a mid-expensive beer ranging from 30 cents a bottle to 3 bucks a bottle, depending on where you go. At this place, it happened to be 60 cents. We talk and finish up the meal - it was hot pot, Thai style.
Now, along with the previous mentioned depleted energy I now have a full stomach. All I wanted to do was go home, read a chapter and fall asleep. But I guess my mom and her friend have already set up this date (strictly hetero) to have me and Anh go do something. I guess Anh wanted to show me around. "I just wanna go home and sleep," is what i was thinking in my head, but being the person that I am, I said, "Alright, lets go."

Im on the back of his motorcycle as he drives. I do my best to keep it hetero. We go to a billiards bar. I suck so I end up losing every single game, except one. I get a good buzz and we start chatting with some other people a bit. The girls working there were cute. However, my limited Vietnamese only took the flirting so far. Still, it was nice to chat a little with the oppposite sex outside of my cousins.
All in all, the night turned out ok. He takes me home - hetero, of course - and I read and fall asleep.

The next morning i wake up at 8:45 (the latest I've slept in since coming here) and watch the padres lose. What a bummer beginning of a day, huh? Oh well, at least I have this book to look forward to....and its getting pretty damn good right now.

Once again, thanks for reading.

*Pictures upon request

I ain't scurred of shit

This will be my fourth night in Vietnam. With each passing night I've gotten more used to the heat and how incredibly hot it is. As much as i want to, I still can't seem to sleep in past 8. The heat gets you so sticky that its practically unbearable. This, in turn allows me to sleep easily at night.

This morning i woke up at 7. By this time, the stores already open and all of the adults are already awake. I just caught the oldest of my cousins leave for work. I look down from the balcony and see my mom playing with the cat, appropriately named "Cat". I sit down and watch the busy street in the morning. Having no music doesn't bother me as much as I thought it would. Theres lots of other sounds that take place here - the sounds of the motorcycles, the dogs barking, the morning chatter and gossip. I just sit in front watching and listening tentatively. I never grow tired of this.

In the meantime, I read a little bit and write a letter.

Sometimes in the afternoon I nap. Never do I really nap, merely just resting my eyes, so it goes. No real plans for this evening. I like it that way. This month is suppose to be treated as an escape from everything - to get away from the monotony and repitition. I needed this.

Alot more happens in the the span of the afternoon. Not exciting enough to write. Same goes for the evening - Aside from going to the cafe with my cousins and sister. There, I order a beer and go on the wireless internet, check my email and send one out. Soon after, my cousin takes me across the river to another district. We pay 3000 dong (equivalent to 20 cents) for two motocycles and ride the ferry across. On one side is downtown, and on the other is the ghetto. Downtown is beautiful at night. I take two pictures with my digital and Mai rushes me back on the cycle. Shes afraid someone might run my shit (indeed, I did have my lappy and camera).

Barrrel Bridge to be constructed across Saigon River

I always hear shit like this happens here from my mom and from others. For instance, I heard they just pull shit out from under you and run off on the motorcycle. Another account is they'll fake diseases like AIDS and threaten to have it contracted. But I however, have much more trust in humanity. I believe the chances of that happening are slim to never, which is true. There are far more forces of good than evil and people always seem to highlight the bad, overlooking what is good on earth (*cough*...news *cough*). For now, I listen to her and we leave. But next time, I'll take my chances. I never want to live my life in fear. Then again, I don't want AIDS either.

Day 2

most of you know....rather, some of you know that i dont have any immediate family in the states. I do have people which i call my american grandmas, grandpas, aunts and uncles. Although they are not blood, its as close i as i have to a family structure.

Tonight, i went to my american uncles place. (We got there via motorcycle and i wish i had brought my camera). He and his family fled to america, made a decent living and now has moved back to his home country. Hes got a beautiful house here in Vietnam, all only costing 200,000 US dollars. A house we could only dream of in america....hes even got servants. There i saw my american grandpa. The guys 93 years old and was the liveliest mother fucker ever. For me to explain how enthusiatic he was in the context of text would do no justice. Just three days prior to my arrival, he fell down some stairs and lumped up his head. Hes lost all his memory and doesn't remember a thing....and its so sad to see him in that sort of condition. His eyes have no life in them. When he fell there was no trace of blood, but just a fat ass lump. Seeing blood might have made the situation better, but not seeing a drop of blood made it even scarier. Every night he panics, wakes up not knowing shit and starts cussing, all while throwing shit out the window. Theyve emptied his room to avoid such incidents.

We had a feast and i drank with my uncle. I held my own while reppin' USA. Great conversations were had with my limited vietnamese. I believe that im a natural speaker so long as im comforatable. Sad words were always leveled out with happy words. An hour went by of just conversing. The whole time I absorbed like a sponge listening to what everyone had to say, while adding some words here and there.

We left the place...heading back home i see some kids playing soccer with a coconut. The kid kicks it out into the street....I wish i was able to kick it back to him. (the streets are dangerous here,...agressive driving is the only way to drive).

Here, people love soccer. Reruns of the world cup is on multple channels. Even my girl cousins watch and play. Matter of fact im watching soccer now, but its hard for me to pay attention, whike typing. In addition, im buzzed as fuck and im tired because of the time difference.

Its about time i get some rest. I appreciate everyones responses to my emails moreso than youd think. Im glad to be commuicating with everyone still and i hope to revert back to primitism and write some letters. Be patient...theyll eventually come.

thank you for reading.

Day 1

sunday, July 16

we arrived in Vietnam in the afternoon. Upon arrival and luggage pick-up we were hassled by customs. Slipped them a 20 and went on our way.

10 years ago was the last time i was here. Not much has changed. Everyone and everything look all the same. Surprisingly, it's not as hot as i thought. Still humid though.

Atempting to stay low key i decide to get a hair cut. My cousin takes me litterally two houses down, less than 20 feet west of us to this stylist. I tell him to make everything around my head an inch long and instead, they wash my hair and give me a kick-ass facial. Then the dude cuts my hair. He styles the shit out of it, using four different types of scissors. Turns out good as fuck and it only cost 30,000 dong (less than 3 bucks).

Next, i visit some relatives and friends of my moms. They all remember me. Wish i could say the same. 14 people live in one of the houses i visited. Its a four story house. However, each floor is not much more than 15 ft x 15 ft. My non-immediate cousin is one member in that household. Shes a stay at home mom at that house. Shes younger than me. Her husband brings home 200 dollars US a month.

My aunt, uncle and cousins live in a 3 story structure. The first story is a third general goods store which they sell soda, cigarettes, crackers, etc. and the other two thirds consists of the kitchen and eating table. The second floor is where we'll be sleeping. The third floor is where they sleep. The whole house totals less than 800 square feet. They barely make shit from the goods they sell. Fortunately, one of my cousins, Mai has got them covered. She just graduated college and She works at the airport. She makes 300 dollars a month. She provides for all of them. Big ups. My other cousin left to take her exit exam so she can attend college. The other helps around the house. Theres also a baby cat. Shes there to catch mice.


I could go on and on about these first 5 hours. Ive already seen and heard so much and its so fulfilling. I realize that i am more jaded and fucked that i thought normally...
However, i do intend to fix this....along with the way i structure my writing.