Good Morning Vietnam!
Sorry, I couldn't help myself.
As I was saying...Hong Kong was fantastic. It felt like the city of a thousand cultures. There were Hong Kong natives, mainland China immigrants, tons of British ex-pats, a huge Indian population, plenty of people from the Middle East, and throngs of backpackers from every corner of the world. Ok, so maybe it was more like the city of 6 cultures, but it is impossible not to notice the international presence and its many influences on the city. For instance, it was Hong Kong where I first rode in a double decker bus and it was Hong Kong where I smoked at a very authentic, Persian, Hookah Bar (don't worry Mom, it was just flavored tobacco).
The bar scene in this busteling town is the best I've witnessed during my few years of bar experience. Entire sections of the city are soley dedicated to serving those who want to dance, sing, and drink well into the AM. This includes many places to catch a late night snack. After bragging to a particular American woman that I had spent the last year in Hunan, "the land of spicy food", she decided to order for me the spiciest Indian kebab that was available. I knew I was in trouble when a short man with a thick Punjabi accent laughed crazily as he fixed up my kebab. A small crowd of early morning party goers were priviliged enough to see me falling about like man on fire, tears pouring from my eyes, hiccups punching their way out of mouth, as I cursed the vile American woman for using my manly ego as a weapon against myself. My lips still burn at the mere thought of that satanic hoooooot pocket (shout out to the Sharkeys).
The one downside to this impromtu trip was how expensive Hong Kong turned out to be. You see, Phil and I brought money that was intended for Vietnam, a country you can transverse comfortably at 10-15 dollars a day. In Hong Kong, however, you'll be lucky if that kind of money covers a single taxi trip. So yes, Phil and I are running a little short on cash and have toned down our spending here in Vietnam. Yet, the memories that we created in Hong Kong are worth double what we paid. It's difficult to say more about Brent and Alex (Scotty and Irishy), but they will be very hard to forget.
Vietnam is a mind trip, no doubt about it. Much like India, the true beauty of Vietnam can be found on any street corner, not in some museum. As anyone will tell you, the vendors are intense here, but I've built up quite a tolerance for this kind of hassle. I have my "no thank you" routine down solid and have learned the very important lesson that a smile will get you MUCH farther in places like this than anger. The architecture in Hanoi is beautiful. Asian tradition blends with French balconies and rooftops. Also, one of the first things you'll hear someone talk about if they've been to Vietnam is the motorbike situation. They completely dominate the roads here. Everywhere you go, they swarm around you like...a swarm! It's an amazing image when you first arrive at a four way stop, not a single motorist obeying any traffic rules (should they exist), each playing their part in the intricate and improvised ballet that keeps these people from slamming into eachother.
I guess, above anything, Vietnam has been relaxing. As I've said before, Phil and I just don't have travelor's guilt that others might have. We don't feel the need to best utilize every minute of the day. We don't feel like we're wasting an oppertunity. We have no desire to try and capture the "real Vietnam". We're just enjoying ourselves and if that happens to include sleeping in late and spending most of the day meandering around the city, then so be it.
Okay suckas, keep me posted on how ya'll are doing and keep checking for more updates.
The person who leaves the best comment will win a bottle of my own sweat, perspired right here in VIETNAM! That's right. We're talking tropical sweat! All those who leave a comment that is not considered to be the best will win a "participant" trophy, which is actually a slightly smaller bottle of Vietnam sweat.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chommy
As I was saying...Hong Kong was fantastic. It felt like the city of a thousand cultures. There were Hong Kong natives, mainland China immigrants, tons of British ex-pats, a huge Indian population, plenty of people from the Middle East, and throngs of backpackers from every corner of the world. Ok, so maybe it was more like the city of 6 cultures, but it is impossible not to notice the international presence and its many influences on the city. For instance, it was Hong Kong where I first rode in a double decker bus and it was Hong Kong where I smoked at a very authentic, Persian, Hookah Bar (don't worry Mom, it was just flavored tobacco).
The bar scene in this busteling town is the best I've witnessed during my few years of bar experience. Entire sections of the city are soley dedicated to serving those who want to dance, sing, and drink well into the AM. This includes many places to catch a late night snack. After bragging to a particular American woman that I had spent the last year in Hunan, "the land of spicy food", she decided to order for me the spiciest Indian kebab that was available. I knew I was in trouble when a short man with a thick Punjabi accent laughed crazily as he fixed up my kebab. A small crowd of early morning party goers were priviliged enough to see me falling about like man on fire, tears pouring from my eyes, hiccups punching their way out of mouth, as I cursed the vile American woman for using my manly ego as a weapon against myself. My lips still burn at the mere thought of that satanic hoooooot pocket (shout out to the Sharkeys).
The one downside to this impromtu trip was how expensive Hong Kong turned out to be. You see, Phil and I brought money that was intended for Vietnam, a country you can transverse comfortably at 10-15 dollars a day. In Hong Kong, however, you'll be lucky if that kind of money covers a single taxi trip. So yes, Phil and I are running a little short on cash and have toned down our spending here in Vietnam. Yet, the memories that we created in Hong Kong are worth double what we paid. It's difficult to say more about Brent and Alex (Scotty and Irishy), but they will be very hard to forget.
Vietnam is a mind trip, no doubt about it. Much like India, the true beauty of Vietnam can be found on any street corner, not in some museum. As anyone will tell you, the vendors are intense here, but I've built up quite a tolerance for this kind of hassle. I have my "no thank you" routine down solid and have learned the very important lesson that a smile will get you MUCH farther in places like this than anger. The architecture in Hanoi is beautiful. Asian tradition blends with French balconies and rooftops. Also, one of the first things you'll hear someone talk about if they've been to Vietnam is the motorbike situation. They completely dominate the roads here. Everywhere you go, they swarm around you like...a swarm! It's an amazing image when you first arrive at a four way stop, not a single motorist obeying any traffic rules (should they exist), each playing their part in the intricate and improvised ballet that keeps these people from slamming into eachother.
I guess, above anything, Vietnam has been relaxing. As I've said before, Phil and I just don't have travelor's guilt that others might have. We don't feel the need to best utilize every minute of the day. We don't feel like we're wasting an oppertunity. We have no desire to try and capture the "real Vietnam". We're just enjoying ourselves and if that happens to include sleeping in late and spending most of the day meandering around the city, then so be it.
Okay suckas, keep me posted on how ya'll are doing and keep checking for more updates.
The person who leaves the best comment will win a bottle of my own sweat, perspired right here in VIETNAM! That's right. We're talking tropical sweat! All those who leave a comment that is not considered to be the best will win a "participant" trophy, which is actually a slightly smaller bottle of Vietnam sweat.
Ch-Ch-Ch-Chommy
posted by The Friendly Liberal at
4:02 AM
1 Comments:
Sounds amazing - sorry I don't comment often... or at all for a VERY long time! I am a bad cousin.
Anyway - I'm going to pass on the bottle of sweat - - - even though I know that any comment from me will, naturally, be the best comment!
(:
Annie
By
Anonymous, at 8:15 AM
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