The Birds and the Bees

A couple of weeks ago I brought kids to the Botanic Gardens... It was pretty crappy!, only a couple of trees and flowers... nothing like the ones we have in Singapore. It was more like a park...but then again our parks prob have a better array of flora and fauna.

But the kids were really great and it was interesting to see soldiers in CV falling in along the footpaths. Oh and they laid their bare arms (the kind that shoot bullets ya) on the ground and it was pretty scary to see. I wanted to take a picture but I was afraid that they may just start letting off rounds at us...

But the highlight of the excursion was the fishermen fishing at the pond...hurhurhur its just so interesting that they would just walk into the pond, put up nets and start catching fish... these dudes were prob hired by the govt to do so but still it was an interesting sight. They had set up the nets in a rectangular formation and divided themselves into 3 groups. One of the large fish, one for the small fish and one to scoop out the dead fish (quite a pathetic job, but at least he seemed pretty relaxed about it) and there was an old lady on the bank collecting the Ikan Bilis which the 'dead fish man' threw onto the grass.





















Back in the 60's...

Hanoi's a pretty place, and would prob be the same as Singapore back in the 60's or 70's. But everything is just moving so quickly and there's a disparity between the technology and the people's mindset.

Buildings are being demolished, skyscrapers are coming up, changing the peaceful skyline that we would love to have in Singapore.

One down one to go

My housemate Stanley received news on monday that they were gonna send him to Ho Chi Min City, and it was difficult for him as he had to adapt to a new enviroment. I can totally understand, but he'll prob. like it over there as its WAAAAAY more mordern then Hanoi.

Hanoi Oi!

Here in Vietnam, to call to someone you must go 'Toby Oi' its pretty similar to how we would go ' Oi! Toby Ah!' And its not a harsh 'Oi! what the hell are you doing?!'

I've gotten use to the Xe Om (motorbike taxis) and its a pretty quick way to get around but its not as cheap as one would expect, a ride could cost between SGD$1 - SGD$5, well at least its cheaper then the cab. Its pretty liberating to ride around without the helmet with the wind blowing in your hair with the dust and exhaust getting into your lungs, one can get a high simply from breathing the freshly produced fumes. Oh and since the speed which they travel's slow too, bike accidents are rarely fatal and when they are, its usually for really stupid reasons like some young teen hell rider trying to reach 60km/h when everyones doing 20-30km/h.

So Xe May (motorbikes) are essential for the Vietnamese as their livelyhoods depend on it. From transporting goods, to carrying 3-4 passengers. I recently saw a man transporting 5 live pigs on this motorbike, the pigs looked sedated but were also tied up... so imagine this, one on each side, two on the back and one where his feet would have to be.

The people also make out on their motorbikes, the couple would just park by the lake and tongue wrestle. This could take up to 20 minutes and during this time they would not speprate their faces from each other...talk about a kissing contest...it seems that all the Vietnamese are acrobats training for it.

However to me the most sought after skill would be the 'nap 'n ride', after lunch, it is usual for the people to take an hour's nap, the most amazing form of acrobatics would be when the riders rest their feet on the handles and sleep on the seat with their arms crossed. They would be motionless and if you walk close enough, you can hear them snore.

I ll try to add the photos soon!

Friends! Singaporeans! Countrymen! lend me your ears!

Ive been meeting up with many Singaporean here in Vietnam, however Ive always been the youngest in the crowd...wait... well at least Im older then their kids (usually abt 2-6yrs). Everyone's in their 30's & 40's, and everyone's really surprised that I'm here on my own teaching.

Thus far the people have tried to help me settle in, but well im doing fine on my own and things are pretty good except for the bosses who have made things...challenging for me...*sob sob* can die ah!!!

AAAHHH! FINALLY!!!

Well it's been a really really really long time since I've been able to update my blog. It has been insanely hectic the last couple of weeks and its only now that I can take a short breather before I start again.

Ever since Ive returned from China, Ive been bogged down with projects, teaching, examinations, marking and reports. My colleagues were surprised that I could actually do that much work (simply because culturally, the Vietnamese don't work this hard or much. Believe me it's not because they're lazy, it's just that the culture here is to not work more then what you're paid to do)

I told them that the work's not difficult, however the load is very heavy and tedious, to make things worse the deadlines are always so tight (that’s because im always informed about them at the last minute…it’s a Vietnamese thing).

Well at least the exams and markings are over, and the kids are on a 2 week summer holiday, before they start their intensive holiday program (which I'm in-charge of) and that leaves me with time to build on the curriculum and work on the Singapore tour. Urg!

And So How Have Things Been?

I'm immersing myself in Vietnamese culture, quite pleasant. The people aren't exactly polite (especially service staff, they're quite a bunch of arses) but the friends ive made here are totally nice.

Ive met up with Thanh from last year's visit and he brought me down to meet his friend who owns a café-bar near the lake. He's asking me for advice on his business and Ive got a couple of ideas for them. Its great coz I have an outlet for creativity and hey theres no obligation involved. So this sunday we're gonna try a couple of recipes for coffee, its gonna be great.

Ka Fae Sua Dac (Kar Fay Su'ur Dac)

This is an iced honey-rich coffee with condensed milk. It’s the only thing I can order correctly in Vietnam and there's a café that I go to near my work place that makes it the way I like it. Full bodied mildly sweet with a lingering scent of the Arabica bean.

Coffee was introduced as a cash crop in Vietnam, however it's reputation has apparently not taken off. Perhaps its because of the overwhelming supply of coffee from south America and other parts of the world. But hey, that only means that this wonderful product can only be found here in Vietnam! Woo Hoo!

Urg... I know Ive been really busy and havent updated anything yet... I ll try to do so soon...Work is killing me

Agape