wow...we ate bow wow.

To all my veggie friends...you may want to stop reading this entry now. For the rest of yáll (I think I've been hangin out with Jess too much), keep reading!

First, a few words about the Phams. They eat more than the Bhatias...but are half our size. Seriously? Seriously. We ate so much good food in Vietnam, it's crazy. From fresh lychees to spicy Lau and super ripe mangosteins to fresh lobster-- we really ate a lot. Starting at 7 in the am and all the way until late into the night we found the best Vietnamese food around (apparently Jess's mom searched Vietnamese forums back in the States...amazing). We even stopped by a farmer's house boat in Nha Trang, purchased fresh fish and lobster and then took it to a restaurant to have them prepare it for us...did someone say byos (bring your own seafood?!?)

And with all this amazing food, we also ate a lot of meat. Like a lot. I thought I was maybe possibly going to turn vegetarian this trip, but no. Prawn eyes, porcupine, deer jerky, clams, snails, water buffalo in ADDITION to all the fish, chicken, pork and beef. Oh, and dog.
Jess's uncle, Cau Canh, actually called it bow wow.

Ok, so we had decided we wanted to try it, because, well, we were in Vietnam. So, we did. I had one (teeny tiny piece, like really really small) of bbqed dog. And to be honest, it wasn't that bad...kinda tasted like chicken...but needless to say, Jess and I both have given up bow wow for good.

Our trip in Vietnam came to a close a few days ago. We had to say farewell to the 16 members of Jess's family we were travelling with, the amazing 34-seat private bus complete with leather seats and a beer cooler (it came from the States) and the $2 million mansion with rooftop pool and 8 flat screen TVs we crashed at in Hanoi...

...and we said hello to Cambodia and hostels for $2.50 a night.



Jess having the time of her life right out side Dalat. Obvi I was the photographer.

Our lovely selves with our lovely bus.

Tommy fishing for our din din...drunk...at 2 pm

The girls in Ba Na...a mountain resort near Danang

Rooftop pool what what

omg V.I.P in the c.l.u.b

We stopped in Danang, Vietnam (the third largest Vietnamese port city) for a few days. Danang is the city where Jess's mom and relatives were raised. A peaceful town on the coast with nice and quiet beaches all around...


But of course, Jess's mom's mom's adopted brother's daughter's husband (aka jess's first cousin once removed) was once a dj at this club in Danang, Vietnam...

So, when we visited Danang a few days back, he gladly offered to take us all there. (Actually, he forced us out of bed when we were all switching channels back and forth between Wimbeldon and Friends repeats). Either way, we left the house in our normal, travelling gear, consisiting of no make-up, hair in pony tails (except Tommy) and semi-sweaty selves.

We got to the club...and let me tell you, were transported to god knows where.

The club was PACKED, with HUNDREDS of Vietnamese dressed to the nines. We were seriously scrubbed out, but they still let us in. We got a table in the VIP section (which in Vietnam is referred to as vip) and were immediately served half a bottle of whiskey, fruit, two types of nuts, pepsi, bottled water, etc. There were TV's around playing American music videos and American sports and the Techno (or house or trans, we're not sure) was DUF DUF DUFING in the background. On all sides of us there were strippers (or call girls) with nametags flirting with old white men (ew.) We're not sure about the nametags either.

Seriously, what a sight.

We're in Sapa, Vietnam now which is also quite a sight. It's a mountain town near the border of China that is kind of a combination of Bolivia and Cusco, Peru. It's a small world, afterall.

how do we love thee rice? let us count the ways...

Vietnam is a land of many things... It is a land of great beauty from the tree-covered mountains near Dalat to the gorgeous beaches of Nha Trang. It's a land with a rich cultural heritage after overcoming a difficult past. It's a land of great seafood and spices.

And it's also a land of rice.

White rice. Sticky rice. Fat rice noodles. Skinny rice noodles. Rice paper. Fried rice paper. Rice paper with sesame seeds. Rice kernels. Rice popcorn. Rice crispy treats (seriously). Rice noodles wrapped in rice paper. Rice noodles and fried rice paper wrapped in rice paper. Rice porridge. And those are only the ones off the top of our head.

I guess I should probably give up the low carb diet.

Got rice,
Pooj

i know why the caged bird sings..

In Thailand, it is quite possible to buy everything you could possibly dream of at a street stall. Flip flops? Sure, right next to the pad thai stand outside of your hostel. Shampoo? Sure, right next to the other pad thai stand that's next to the flip flop stand. Northface backpack? Sure, right next to the vegetarian pad thai stand that also serves eggrolls that's next to the shampoo stand. (Pad thai seems to be the Visa in Thailand; it's everywhere you want it to be. And you betcha we took full advantage of that every night, circa 3am, after popping a Pepto pill each). Anything you want at the tip of your hands: Hello Kitty paraphernalia, buckets of booze, friendship bracelets, fresh fruit.

If you so care choose, it's also quite easy to buy "company" for 15 minutes or for an entire week, depending on your travel plans, of course. How lonely it must be for an elderly single retiree to scuba dive and dine on the island of Ko Samet, about 5 hours off the southern coast of Thailand, when everyone else is paired up. Yeah? Looking for company? Sign up down the road, to the left, stand right next to the pad thai stand.

Ping pong show? Uhhhh, WIKIPEDIA that shiznatch.

And if you're feeling really charitable, it's also possible for you to give money to support animal rights. Oh yes, right on the streets of Bangkok. A woman was walking around, meandering, outside a bar in Patpong. In her hands, she had about 6 cages with what looked like little brown stones in them. When we politely called her over to ask what we could procure from her, she smiled oh so coyly and replied, "If you pay me, I will set these birds free."

Everything so conveniently laid out. Everyone so willing and eager to cater to your every need or want.

Oh Thailand, it sings for you.

PS-Who is "1234567890"? We are completely befuddled.

Love,

Jess

fisherman pants and water taxis

I think buying a pair of thai fisherman pants means I've officially become a backpacker...yeah?

The pants are awesome--navy blue linen capris that feel like the perfect thing to be wearing in this heat...so soft and comfy...and the best part, only 90 baht...aka less than $3. I know, right.

Anyway, in other news. Ant and I navigated through the streets of Bangkok today and only got lost, um, like 6 or 7 times. We took two river taxis, which are probably the most amazing thing ever invented (after the thai fisherman pants, of course). They go up and down the rivers in Bangkok avoiding all traffic and pollution--the breeze and views of the city are unbeatable. We then made our way to the Hindu Temple in Bangkok (the Bhatias would be so proud) and through the Red Light district (wow). We also found the most amazing gourmet grocery store and food court inside of a mall that would put any U.S. food court to shame. Ohhh, and there was also a really interesting exhibit downtown about global warming with gorgeous aerial photos of places all over the earth being affected by our pollution and waste...it's just nice to know that people around the world are thinking about this, ya know? (not to get all emo).

Jess lands tonight (knock on wood)...and then the three of us are heading to Koh Samet for a few days...getting outta the city and to the BEACH! We'll definitely be black when we get back...hopefully.

BKK is HOTT.

BKK = bangkok. Not to be confused with the two other southeast asian airports I had layovers in-- Taipei and Hong Kong. It took 24+ hours to get here, but I made it! (Yes, Jess, I'm giving you shit...for...missing...your...flight...to se asia...) :)

Anyway, so BKK is HOTT. No, like literally, really really hot. In fact, I don't think I've stopped sweating since I've landed...unless the shower counts.

My last 1.5 days have been spent eating pad thai and spring rolls and drinking fresh mango shakes from street vendors, riding in tuk tuk's (aka auto-rickshaws) and getting foot massages (yes, plural). Oh, and I visited the most amazing market ever- Chakatuk market...it was HUGE...and had everything from puppies and rabbits for sale (no seriously) to the best top 40 hip-hop ever. I have decided a full day will be dedicated to this market on my way back to the states (send requests this way).

...Ant arrives tomorrow...and Jess...well, who knows...

harbinger?

I was trying to be efficient; late-night karaoke in Eastern Market with the gang meant that I was going to pass by the Northeast Public Library.

It was after business hours. I had 4 books on Native Americans that needed to be returned before June 23rd. I saw the book drop and thought, "How convenient!" I shoved my books in and closed the door.

Jess (to herself after realizing she only had her keys and wallet in her hand): Where is my phone?!?!?! Linds! CALL MY PHONE!

(5 seconds after hearing "Stickwitu" blaring from INSIDE the book drop)

Jess: I'm an idiot!

Email > phone calls?