I'm taking a break from my blog. For two years I have updated about my experiences and personal life. I want to disappear for a little while. I won't abandon this blog. I'm going through a transition; mentally and physically. I need to go back to my old-self, being reserved and exclusive to myself.
Like father like daughter. We like beer. Probably the only thing that brings us together. This is my dad's second visit in Vietnam. He was in Taiwan for 2 weeks and decided to stop by and visit.
yum, beer
I was trying to obtain a work visa for a while, it was supposed to take 2 weeks but it took almost 4. I faxed Jet Star airlines my documents from the visa office claiming they had my passport and that I needed to go to Da Nang, the representatives I spoke to said it was alright and would add a note in the system about my documents and its approval. I got to the airport and bam...no go, no note in the system, and the airport officials had to follow the regulations that no foreigner could travel without a passport or a letter from their own country or Vietnam's embassy. Shit. So I lost my flight and left my dad to go to Da Nang by himself and I was really worried. My dad isn't a traveler, he's a follower, he likes tours and activities, and transport planned for him. But he was brave enough and said that he'd be alright going on his own, however I wanted to spend time with him because he was in Vietnam for 7 days.
I was pissed off, stressed out, and worried for my dad. Oh and what do you know?! I received my passport that day! Ughhhh. I called Jet Star and told them I got my passport back and they were very nice to give me a new flight the next day by only paying $10 because they felt sorry for me. That was nice. So I got to see my dad in Hue for a night.
I didn't like Hue that much but Hoi An was beautiful and charming as usual. I liked it the first time I went and was glad to be back. My dad liked Hoi An as well.
Hoi An
Back to Hanoi, took my dad around to eat at my favorite places and had a sweet small going away dinner at Quan An Ngon with my close friends: Quang, John, Vikki, and Chris. My dad kept feeding us until we died. We ordered 2 grilled Mackerels, 2 grilled beef, 2 rolls, 2 squids, 2 fried rice, 2 sticky rice bowls, and 1 salad, and about 10 bottles of beer. I think my dad thought we were poor and weren't getting enough food, so he was pushing and pushing our indigestion limits. Of course, he paid for the dinner, typical asian dad. Afterwards, we went to Bia Hoi corner. My dad was shocked, he thought we were going to a bar, but he liked it. It was cool to see my dad at Bia Hoi, crackin' jokes about me. I have the coolest asian dad...and mom. (I didn't forget about you mama!)
Had a four day weekend and went to the woods with several friends. It's been awhile since the weather warmed up for more than 2 days. Our whole weekend was sunny and hot, and a great time to get a breath of fresh cool air.
I went to Cuc Phuong, a few hours from Hanoi. It's a national park and was way expensive! If I knew it would cost so much to stay in a room I'd be camping! However, there were too many unusual biting insects. Not to mention, I saw the biggest spider in my life...in real life.
The first evening was a blur of consumed rice wine and karaoke, good times. Second night was 4 hours of Charades. End of the whole weekend...a bundle of inside jokes that will stay funny for a long time.
3 tattoos, 1 nose piercing, 36 used books, 7 countries, 51 provinces, and 2 years ago; I left America, I haven't visited once. In case you ask, I don't know when I will come back. The world is my home now. I was a former L.A. girl that glammed up for Hollywood clubs and go to dive bars 4 times a week. Now, I'm a "hippie-traveler chick" that doesn't wear make up and wears the same t-shirt and jeans for 2 years, but still going to bars 4 times a week. I don't think I changed, I'm still me. I have the same heart and personality since I left America, the only thing different is my style.
Things are going well here in Hanoi. Design at EMW isn't as busy as last year, but it's good for me to work on other projects. I really need to start saving money, so I got to go back to limiting my times going out. Also sticking to beer, no Vodka/Tonics or Rum/Coke. I might actually be able to remember my weekends now.
I'm definitely proud of myself and what I have achieved so far. I had many ups and downs but it's all part of the experience, and I will always appreciate those experiences. Never in my life did I think that I would ever climb the Himalaya's, see the Dalai Lama, swim in the Arabian sea, and live in Vietnam.
Gathered a list of things I haven't done in 2 years:
- worn high-heels
- gotten a professional hair cut, I've been cutting my own hair
- listening to the same songs on my ipod from 2009.
- haven't done any sort of exercise or cardio work out.
- wearing the same converse chucks
- drank a New Castle draft beer
- had a bubble bath
- have seen a Laker game on television
- ate jello
The past week has been intense and tiring. First off: I changed my office schedule into the mornings, meaning I woke up at 7:00 am and finish at 12 pm. (Not a morning person) Just so I can have the rest of the day with my older brother, Brian. He arrived last Tuesday and he leaves tonight.
Last Tuesday, he walked into my office while I was in the bathroom. I could hear him asking where I was. Later I took him to grab a bite to eat because he had a long journey to get to Hanoi, 42 hours from Washington D.C. That day I called up some unemployed friends to meet us at bia hoi in the Old Quarters. A few friends came by and we just chilled, drank beer, ate peanuts, and people-watch. He asked me if this was what I normally do...chilling, yeah pretty much. Afterwards, he attended my Tuesday English teaching class, my class loved him, and it was a lot of fun. I told my students a story about how he used to scare me when I was young, by being the Sandman. Check it out below.
I rode around Hanoi with him on my motorbike and he was a bit nervous, basically HOW I drive, passing fast trucks and crossing roads with a billion other motorbikes. I told him that I get road rage and scream at people, he told me that it isn't good to have road rage and that I should be patient and get over it, I'm like Yeah Yeah Yeah.
He spent most of the days taking my motorbike around the city while I worked in the morning, then I'd meet up with him at my friends house back in Hai Ba Trung. It was difficult finding good street food for him because he's a vegetarian. I warned him before he came that it would be difficult finding vegetarian street food and I asked if he can suffer for a week eating some meat, he agreed. Towards the end of the week he was eating beef and chicken.
Brian wanted to get his wisdom teeth pulled because the operation was cheaper in Vietnam ($100 for 2 taken out) than USA. We were trying to find the dental office on this one particular street that I knew well, but all the address numbers were completely random, it would go...101, 102, 103, 45, 44, 43, 435, 436, 437, 438, 5, 4, 3. What the hell?! I hate streets like that. We went back and forth and finally when I knew where it was, we got a flat tire and had to walk my bike back to the end of the road. Luckily we were near my office and I knew of a garage around it. While he was getting teeth taken out, I got a new tire tube, a bike wash, and oil change.
Brian, Vikki, and I went to Halong Bay for the weekend. It was sooo tiring. The tours were completely unorganized and confusing, I don't understand how the tour guides manage all the tourists. Anyway...when we got to the tour agency to leave, the driver asked if we brought our passports. 2 of us didn't have them because the agent didn't tell me that we needed them when I bought the tickets, and also mine was at the embassy for a visa extension. The driver gave a facial expression that we might not be able to go on the trip, but of course...me being American, I wasn't going to take a NO as an answer. I basically went into the bus and sat down and refused to move unless we were on our way to Halong Bay. The agent said that it was alright and let us go.
Weather sucked, wet, drizzly, and chilly. I liked how the mist made the islands mysterious. But it was uncomfortable because everything felt damp, our clothes, seats, and our feet. Eh, it's Vietnam.
Overall, Brian got to meet my closest friends. He experienced my Hanoi life. It was all about food, coffee, beer, and friends. To finish it off, today he drove around while I was the passenger, after a few seconds he was already getting frustrated by other motorbikes and cars driving slow in front of us, AHA!! Road rage!
I didn't think this feeling would come so quickly. Lately I've noticed I have become much moodier. I am about to get my period soon so maybe that could be the reason why I'm moody, but I think it's due to my realization that I will be leaving Vietnam soon.
I don't know when! But I know soon, I'm already planning on exactly where I want to go and I'm waiting for both my mind and heart to be like "Yeah Steph! You got this, pack up your shit and go!" I won't mention my potential destinations. Most people can agree that it's a depressing feeling when you leave or someone you care about leaves. I've said Goodbye to soooo many people during this trip that it gets harder and harder for me to deal with, which explains the moodiness. However, I know by the time I am ready to go, I will be in better spirits, cause I'd be looking forward to the challenges that awaits me.
My students at school help me a lot and they always make me smile. It's nice to 'not know' my plans and go with the flow, which is what I have been doing this whole time. However, I still prefer to be in control on what I want. I have many choices and I haven't been able to choose, that bothers me. Normally, I just know and it clicks in my brain; Nepal! India! Vietnam! -sigh- we'll see what happens.
I called my school loans company today to renew a forbearance on my account. I owe $35,500.00. (I went to a private art school!) I had an interesting chat with the representative:
Do you work more than 30 hours a week? No
Do you plan on getting a full-time job within the next month? Nope
Sometime this year perhaps? Nope
So...when do you think you will pay for your next payment? Uhh...not for a...while.
How long would you like continue the forbearance? What's my limit?
Likely 2 more years. Perfect.
May I ask...what are you doing? Taking a long needed break.
Good for you. (I hope he meant it)
This holiday is stupid. STUPID. I love being anti-everything. It's not like I'd be kissing anyone, but my lips ballooned cause of a mysterious allergy. Looks like I got a bad lip operation. My upper lip is so big that I can see it when I look down. I wish my entire mouth swelled up, so then it would at least look sexy?
Gong xi fat chai! Chuc mung nam moi! Happy Chinese & Vietnamese Lunar Year everyone!
For these holidays I went to Laos for 10 days. My housemates Vikki and Chris (England) and I took a sleeper bus to Vientiane, let's just say it didn't start off well.
A week and a half before we left I told Chris to get the bus tickets, and pressured him to reassure the travel agent that the buses had to be SLEEPING, not sitting. Because I've had many experiences where the travel agent would say one thing and you end up getting something completely different and ripped off. Plus, I traveled to Laos with a regular bus before, and it was not a pleasant journey. After asking the travel agent 20 million times that it was a sleeper bus, we were convinced that we got it. We arrived at the bus station and followed a guide to the Luang Prabang bus. When we got to the bus, it didn't look sleeper from the outside. I walked into the bus and saw it was all sitting chairs and cramped with people. HELL NAW! I went crazy. Vikki and Chris said I went 'American,' and let me deal with the situation. I immediately called the travel agent and told her what happened and that she'd better fix it and give us the right bus...or else. (I didn't know what the 'else' would have been, but I had to make a threat somehow). Turns out, the guide that lured us to the bus was just a random guy trying to get people to fill his bus, so we found the right bus driver and got on a sleeper bus.
We didn't sleep well but the ride wasn't that bad, good thing Chris had some ganja and we smoked a spliff before we left. We got to Vientiane and we were supposed to get on another bus to Luang Prabang. The bus driver gave me photo copied letter explaining that there wasn't a bus to Luang Prabang and the driver gave me 400k dong. So we got screwed, they knew there wasn't a bus to LP the whole time! Chris advised me to go back to the travel agency in Hanoi and go 'American' again to get the rest of our money back. (I don't think we'll get the money back but I'm definitely not going to let them get away with it without some of my ghetto fabulous holleration). Anyways, I decided that we should just stay the night in Vientiane and get drunk, just to get over the fact that we got screwed and we should have fun.
The next day we took a bus to Vang Vieng, I hated Vang Vieng the first time I visited, but it was Vikki's and Chris's first time. Of course, drunk 18 year-old Aussies running around half naked in the middle of a beautiful town. Every cafe showing episodes of Friends and Family Guy. Just so sad. When we got there we explored and climbed into caves. On our way back we found friends of mine from Hanoi, Ashley (American) and a couple that I teach with, Rachel and David (England). We met up for dinner and decided that the only way to get through Vang Vieng was to get drunk, we drank lots of beers and mixed buckets and went to check out a seedy bar. From the outside I was quite nervous going inside, it was all drunk kids running around. Vikki and I went to the bathroom and I was practically sexually assaulted by a good looking Spaniard. He kept asking to 'kiss me between the eyes,' he even tried to lean in, I covered my mouth and playfully walked out. That was just 20 seconds after walking into the bar! After that Vikki and I turned away a few guys trying to get lucky, basically we don't give them attention and then they move on to another girl over and over. I think it's okay for travellers to want this kind of partying, but Vikki, Chris and I just got back from Koh Phi Phi in Thailand a few weeks before and we were done with the whole partying scene.
climbing through caves.
The next morning was gray and cold, no sun! But we planned on tubing in a cave, kayaking, and jump swinging. The water was freezing cold but we had to get into the tubes. I tried not to make any whining noises getting into the water, but it was so cold I yelped "Ohhh, my...mo-ther!" I wanted to say motherfucker, but the fucker didn't follow as the freezing water was hitting my bones. So everyone was laughing at me on my random scream for mom. On our way out the sun appeared, finally all of us were in better moods.
We went to the river and settled our kayaks. There was barely any water so there weren't any rapids, but it was calm enough to pay attention to the scenery. We stopped in the middle to get beers and jump off the cliff swings. To be on the safe side, many people jump off and swing back and forth a few times before falling into the water. Me on the other hand, didn't see any demonstrations, so I went first and released on the first go, luckily I landed perfectly in and not on my ass or face. Unlucky, Vikki...released way to early and landed on her ass. (I promised her I wouldn't upload the video) But it was hilarious! The best and funniest moments of our trip. We were so tired from the day tour that we crashed at 10pm, on our way into the guesthouse, all the kids were walking out to begin the night.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7vjyQwV8zc
kayaking
Luang Prabang, LOVE IT. I love love love love love love love it. It's mellow, chill, relaxing, no car honking. And it was sunny! Loved it. I must say it changed my options on what I want to do after Vietnam. I wouldn't mind at all going back to northern Laos and see what opportunities are available. First night, we met up with John (Australia), Von (American), and Loic (Belgium) from Hanoi and we watched the sunset and had a bon fire. We hit up a bar called Utopia and was very chilled out, it was by the river and even had a volleyball court! I wanted to play so bad but felt uncomfortable going by myself.
a monk checking me out.
Next day, we all took a tuk tuk to the waterfalls. The park was okay, but too many tourists, it was crowded and the waterfall was just okay, I've seen better. We were able to swim and swing off from trees, so that was fun, once again cold water. After that I developed a cold and cough.
waterfall swimming
John, Von, and Loic left to Vang Vieng, and we stayed in Luang Prabang. We found Rachel, David, Ashley and friends, and we brought them to the bon fire sunset location to drink beer and relax. We all had dinner together and went out drinking. Vikki and I met up with Rachel and David at a bar and talked the whole night, Rachel and David left and Vikki and I adopted a group of guys and hung out with them.
Last day it was just relaxation before our night bus back to Vientiane for the flight back to Hanoi. Overall the trip was exactly what we needed. Relaxation and Sun. We were like old people; drinking tea, fruit shakes, and going to bed at 11pm. It was a good sunny break during winter.
I had a very deep and intriguing conversation about love with someone I barely know. He spoke about his past experiences and I told him I had none, other than the ones that were superficial. He told me "You're the most guarded person I have ever met."
"Thanks!" I said back.
He referred me a song by Feist "Limit to your love." I know this song but never paid attention to all the verses. He said "I bet more than 5 guys in your life felt this way about you." I went home and looked up the lyrics.
Clouds part Just to give us a little sun There’s a limit to your love Like a waterfall in slow motion Like a map with no ocean There’s a limit to your love Your love, your love, your love There’s a limit to your care So carelessly there Is it truth or dare There’s a limit to your care Love love love This dream of going upstream Love love love The trouble that you give me I know I know I know That only I can save me I go I go I go Right down the road There’s a limit to your love Like a waterfall in slow motion Like a map with no ocean There’s a limit to your love Your love your love your love I can’t read your smile It should be written on your face I’m piecing it together There’s something out of place Oh Love love love This dream of going upstream Love love love All the trouble that you give me I know I know I know That only I can save me I go I go I go Out on the road Because there is no limit There’s no limit No limit no limit no limit Limit to my love
Last week I visited an orphanage in Ba Vi, 2 hours away from center of Hanoi. My colleagues and I went to support them by donating food and clothes. Also to take photographs for East Meets West new website, funding for people with disability in Vietnam.
The orphanage is supported by Three Trees organization and most of the children are orphans, and disabled, the orphanage also supports homeless elders. I'd say there were about 40 children, 25 of them were no older than 5 years old. There were many infants with disabilities. This orphanage definitely needed some funding for the building, it looked cold and damp. The sad thing is (and I feel bad saying it but it's true): the rooms where the infants were kept, smelled like an animal shelter. Everything was very clean but the smell...was unbearable. So it was difficult for me to see the children living in those conditions, but it was all they had. There are diligent people trying so hard to support those children, but more and more, each day or week, a newborn is dropped on their doorstep. So sad what they go through.
Phuong
I befriended a boy named Phuong. He looks 7 years old but because of his disease, he's really 15 years old. He still goes to school and has managed to balance finishing school and being the big brother of the orphanage. He doesn't look Vietnamese, he actually looks like he's from Eastern Russia. Anyways, he's a sweet boy and I trusted him to capture photos with my camera. There was also a 17 year old girl, she only has 3 fingers, and can play the piano. She learned how to play by ear, by using a donated electric piano.
I wanted to volunteer at the orphanage once a week, to do Arts & Crafts with them. But couldn't because I don't have any free time! It was nice to finally visit the orphanage and understand their struggles. I hope through our research and resources, we can help them more financially and emotionally.
I left the place feeling calm and thoughtful, and when I look through the photos in my camera, I can't control myself by smiling or frowning. That's what happens when you see places like those with your own eyes, you feel the happiness from them when you arrive, and you feel their sadness when you leave.
I'm different from other ordinary women. There are not a lot of women that are like me. I know I'm special (not conceited, just positive), I still think I'm a lucky person. I have to accept obstacles during this adventure.
All I do is move forward. It's the best way. This is actually the happiest I have ever been. Even today. Cause I know nothing so far can lessen my strength.
There is not another ME. No one can find another ME.
My Xmas went well, spent the whole day cleaning the house (not fun) and had friends come over for dinner: We jammed on music, drank all the alcohol that existed in the house, and danced all night.
Xmas dinner
On December 27th, I flew out of Hanoi and went to Bangkok, Thailand to meet an old housemate Tom, from England. It was so hot! So good to be in a tropic weather again. The whole day was spent shopping, shopping, shopping. I appreciate Tom handling the girlishness with me while I tried on clothes. That night we went out to the seedy bars of Bangkok; Nana, and a couple of other areas. Let's just say I saw bananas, needles, ping pongs, and other stuff that I couldn't manage a woman can actually shoot out from her pootang.
Next day (hungover), flew out of Bangkok, and into Phuket. I shared a taxi to Phuket town with a french guy named Cedric. He was on vacation visiting a girl friend. After that long ride I got to the hostel, and went out to dinner with my friend from Hanoi, Ashley (also an American English teacher). I went out with her and her friends and then my friends Vikki and Chris, arrived later at the restaurant. Vikki and Chris are friends from England. I met Vikki here in Hanoi and he came to travel with us. Anyways, after dinner we all went out for drinks and had a nice mellow evening.
Next morning, another friend from Hanoi, Vaughan (England) arrived. The whole crew is here! We had lunch and went straight to the pier and caught a ferry to Koh Phi Phi. We got into our beautiful bungalows in the middle of the mountains, and then went to town. We began with BBQ kebabs and buckets. Buckets is a child's sand pail filled with Coke, Sprite, Red Bull, mixed with Vodka and/or Thai Rum that tastes like Whisky. I'm not use to drinking a lot of sweet with hard alcohol, I'm a Beer or Vodka/Tonic person. So yeah, I puked, in a good way, I had fun!
Buckin'
We had a day where we went snorkeling, saw no sharks, cliff jumping, and beach bumming. The weather most of the time was cloudy, but good thing it got sunnier on our last 2 days.
hi!
NYE, we were preparing ourselves: Nap, ate carbs for dinner (to absorb the alcohol), drinking lightly before buckets. Okay, the party started when I found a hot chick for Chris, I met a Finnish girl in the bathroom and brought her over to Chris for eye candy, didn't last long, she was too beautiful for him. Ha! We finished our drinks and headed to the beach, we ordered more drinks and buckets and waited for the countdown. The beach was packed with sexual-raging backpackers, great energy and good music. At the end (5 a.m), I was more sober than anyone else, I took care of drunk Chris and brought him back to our bungalow safely.
Overall, it was a chill week for me. I wanted to do absolutely nothing, other than shopping and eating everything that was in front of me! Now I'm back to bitter cold Hanoi and I must say that I'm glad to be back. I was okay with having a short time in Thailand, because it was a vacation from my vacation. It's all good. Let's hope 2011 will be another good year for me.
