Boom Boom

I hate this term. I hate it. I think I was watching Dateline several years ago about child prostitution in Cambodia. The term Boom Boom is used meaning sex. The term is used here in Vietnam as well.

One of the first facts I learned being here was that men are very flirty. Apparently it's normal. I didn't think it was normal back at my old guesthouse when I saw a peep hole in my bathroom and one of the staff constantly asking me to join him in his room, but really?? When that kid asked me such a question to join him, I stared at this little kid, skinny, baby features, wearing skinny jeans; I just gave him a look that said ' are you serious?' Like...does that really work for him? Has a guest ever said Yes? It's like I was in India all over again.

Anyways...the other day I was waiting for my friends outside a restaurant. A boy stopped near me on his motorbike, he whistled and I continued to look the other way. He whistled some more, no response. He started clapping and shouted 'em oi! em oi! OI!!' I was still staring the other side of the road. He got off his motorbike and I thought 'Oh no, he is not going to come up to me.' He came up to me and asked where I was from. Lazily I said USA. He stared at me and said 'You like to Boom Boom?' Okay, there is no other meaning for this term! I know Boom Boom isn't used for an energy drink, do drugs, or to disco dance, he meant what he friggin' meant. I gave him the look. Every woman has one. The look that gives the Up & Down that translates to puhhhhleeeeeze. He then goes 'ok,' hops on his bike and rides away. The nerve!

Okay, enough of booming and onto a positive note. I recently got a new design project. I'm helping out with an organization called Just Massage. This lady, Thanh, trains women with disabilities (blind or hearing impaired) massage therapy. This is great for the students because many people with disabilities are unable to get a job of any sort. These women are from outside of Hanoi and gets to learn and live free of cost while they're in training. The massage center opens end of this summer, so I have enough time to get the website, and all the corporate branding ready then. AND!! I get free massages as a practice dummy. I had one today by a sweet girl named Lan.

Today I saw a bug that looked like a centipede-millipede whatever, snail-like antennas, and a furry mouth. In my room, NEXT TO MY BED!! I'm not going to sleep well tonight.