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!!!