Vietnamese Films

I just finished watching Passport to Love (Chuyen Tinh Xa Xu) off netflix and I was blown away by the American style screenplay and cinematography.

In my mind, the only form of Vietnamese entertainment that I knew of was bad music videos, variety shows and classic Viet songs sung over and over by new artists.  After watching this film that was released in 2009, I am left speechless.

It was a chick flick, Korean drama with a tinge of Vietnamese and Vietnamese American humor and cultural references.

There were sex scenes, references to the new generation Vietnamese American experiences and superb acting.  Any Vietnamese individual who watches would be blown away since Vietnamese film is a strange idea.

You can watch the movie for free off IMDB: 
http://www.imdb.com/video/hulu/vi2656278809/ 

I looked up the director Victor Vu and found that he directed the Vietnamese film Spirits, which is a horror movie that I own and some new stuff such as Battle of the Brides and Inferno recycling actors.  Apparently there are only 10 actors in Vietnam and Inferno got some heat for being a shocking replica of another film.  Read comments.

Another film I want to check out is Saigon Electric. I don't know much about this movie, but I was introduced to it at the Asian American Film Festival.

The appeal is the focus of Vietnam's youth and dance culture.  Something that I was also not aware of even though I took some hip hop classes in Saigon when I was there some years back.  Check out the trailer here.

I'm just waiting for it to come out on DVD since I missed the screenings.

===
A week ago, I got check out Krunk Fu Battle Battle which featured Lawrence Kao from Kaba Modern.  The musical performance took place in Brooklyn.  It was about a boy who moves to the hood where he has to dance battle a bboi bully in order for him to stay on campus.  This involves a girl, a best friend and an overworked mom.  Great dancing, rapping and singing from the actors.  With a handful of cuties... mmm Matt Tayao.

I love Asian American film and theater!

Flash Mob in Vietnam

Flash Mob in Vietnam. (Oishi Brand Marketing Campaign)

Developing country… not very 3rd world. At least in Sai Gon. The youth in the country out number the old generation. Progress is happening. The sad abandoned country your parents paint in your mind doesn’t exist anymore.

Aussiebum Causes a Stir in Vietnam

Two things I love: Nice Underwear and Vietnam... let's see what happens when you put the two together!



THIS IS HILLARIOUS!

The people FREAK when he drops his pants and the ignorant producer called Vietnam a "Muslim Country!" HAHAHA OMG. Thanks OHLALA Mag!

Coming Home

Five hour flight to Korea
Eight hour layover in a terrible country where people are rude.
(JK, well.... the ppl in the Airport were rude)
Ten hour flight to San Francisco


I highly recommend flying Asiana. They gave me slippers, sleeping mask and toothbrush/paste. I watched 3 or 4 movies straight on my 10 hour ride. Maybe that wasn't smart, but now I can tell you that I like the concept of Mamma Mia the Musical, but wish they chose different actors instead of Meryl Streep and Pierce Bronson. Terrible terrible singers. It also wasn't very Greek at all. I also had fun checking out this 5'10 Korean Man-love steward(ess.) Mmm I bet his Kim Chi is very spicy. More peanuts please!

I made friends with this really cute energetic Vietnamese grandma. She was so charming and had a cute smile. She wanted me to go on the City Tour with her, but I already got a hotel to rest up. Aw man. She was very adorable and made my flight from Vietnam to Korea really pleasant. My ten hour flight from Korea to the US was spent next to this middle aged Korean woman who looked like she beat school children because she was the head of discipline. There were also a lot of Indian folk on the flight. Suddenly I had a day dream that I would be sandwiched between two people who did not believe in antiperspirant. At that point, I realized that I was very racist.

I had no problems re-entering the country even though I had smuggled in an orphan, pirated movies and the bird flu. I turned on my phone expecting 2 months worth of text/voice messages ... I had a total of 1.

Thanks guys. ;) haha. jk.




The first thing I did when I landed:
--Had sushi- MMmmm. Though I was craving Vietnamese food.
--Went to Walmart- I filed a complaint because I couldn't get anyone to help me for 20 minutes. No one smiled and everyone was morbidly obese. If I was in Vietnam I would had 4 cute servant girls quickly finding the products that I need as if by providing me with good service, I would buy them a ticket out of the country.
--Visited my Grandma on my dad's side and held an interesting conversation
--Napped
--Gave my family presents
--At night, I shivered my ass off.

So I realized that chopsticks may not be the best souvenir presents to give by the reaction on some of my friends' faces. I thought they were practical. Maybe you guys want magnets instead?

Oops.

BTW: Sally Corrupted my Family in Vietnam by Teaching them Thizz Face



Hairchive:
The Urban Vietnamese Man (I like the whoosh effect caused by wearing a helmet. My hairdresser only used thinning sheers!)



In Contrast:
The Would you Date me for 1000000000 dong?

And you Thought Black people Talk a lot in the Theatre...

My last Friday night in Vietnam was spent watching a professional theatre performance of a ghost story!

My cousins were late, so I left their tickets in the front. My cousin yelled at me, "DONT DO THAT!! THAT HOW YOU LOSE A TICKET!!" I scoffed. Um... how? Vietnamese people don't trust each other.

Okay. So I don't think Vietnamese people know what "inside voice" is. EVERYONE was talking during the performance as if they were talking over traffic. EVERYONE! Even if you had no one to talk to, you were talking loudly. People were reacting to the show, asking questions and explaining the story to eachother.

EVEN the guy on my RIGHT was explaining the story to me; nudging me every 10 minutes. "Oh.. that must be the mom!" "Oooo that was good" "Did you see that?" Apparently I have a new best friend.

The guy next to the Left of me was on his cell phone, shamelessly.

UGH. I might as well have been at United Artist theatre on Shattack. People would NOT shut up. "OooH, the lights turned off, that must mean a ghost is coming out!"

No shit, shut up! AHHH!!!

I think it's because Vietnamese people have short attention spans (like me). They have to be doing something with their hands like: picking fruit, playing cards, or cheating you; otherwise they would be napping or drinking coffee on the street. It must be torture to sit in the theatre quietly... absolute torture.

==

After I got over it. The show was great! There were some amazing scenes where the stage caught fire and the main actors were breath takingly brilliant.

There were some scary parts and some teenagers who sat in the front row moved farther back because they were freaked out.

The stage itself was very elaborate, like a public college play. (Nothing like Wicked) and the story was simple (like Vietnamese people) that I was able to appreciate it.

I should have taken a picture of the set, but I didn't want them to take my camera away, so here's what it looks like after the show. LOL!
==

Final thoughts

==

Before the show, I had one more meal with my grandpa's younger brother. He told me how he would find me a nice Vietnamese girl with a wealthy family when I was ready. In fact, there was a cute girl who worked at the coffee shop down the street. Haha. He also told me that for 30,000USD, I can marry some stranger to make them a US citizen. How temptinging.

==

The girls at the stores love me.
So the girl I bought my swimsuit from, the girl I bought a tshirt from, and the girl I bought a vase from all wanted my number. They all wanted me to "teach them English" and in return they would "teach me Vietnamese."

Oh.. I'm not falling for that one. I know about you tricky tricky aggressive Saigon Girls.

==

I parited the night before, so I stayed in tonight packing my belongings.. shit.. I bought a lot of junk. It was fun, I had some Indian food in the Backpack district (who does that?) and then went to a bar and sat right next a singer! She was so good!

My friends were making fun of me because I sat there in awe with my mouth open. I could have touched her if I wanted.

That's when I realized that Saigon was like being in LA. In a sense that there is always something to do and someone to run into. I ran into an actor and 3 singers on the street. Though they weren't famous to me.. my cousins pointed them out. Saigon is the place to be if you're famous and I don't think it's that hard to get into that "crowd." Heh.

==

My aunt and cousins stayed up all night talking to each other. They're really close to each other because they depend on each other. Everyday they are reminded that family is all they have.

Here's a picture of my cousins sleeping while their mom paints their grandma's nails. I love it.

==

I got a traditional outfit made for my dad. I picked it up, put it on and stood next to the street waving to people. My cousins thought I was crazy. "I AM VIETNAMESE!!!" I shouted.

Because I am! Biiiiiiaatch. And not one thinks otherwise, until I try to speak. Then they think I'm a retard.

Sally Got the Cliffnotes to Vietnam

This Halloween weekend, Sally decided to hop on a plan and visit me. I was thankful because with her here, I was able to do some touristy things like the Mekong Delta and HELLA Pagodas.
Here's the summary in reverse order!




"WELCOME TO VIETNAM!" Sally embraces everything about the culture!

She taught my local cousin how to thizz face.

Lots of pagodas!

Sally crosses traffic better than me.

She loves this picture.. i don't know why.

Sally tried exotic fruits.

Got stuck in the rain! I gave the lady selling raincoats my trash and she threw it back into the street!

Sally Loves Vietnamese food! HELL YEAH! And Vietnamese Ice Coffee (She had like 3 a day!)

Partied with some outoftowners!

We were at a club and pointed out an actor and Sally made me take a picture with him. And I'm glad she did. He's fucking tall. And pale. We saw him when the club closed and were about to follow him. But then decided that we didn't want to be arrested.

We walked around the city in search of masks. This was the best we found! Not too shabby! Partied to some hip hop music! Yeahhhhh. Sally showed them Vietnamese Hos how to get down. Halloween in Vietnam is interesting. A lot of costumes and crossdressers and only a few parties that were broken up by the cops at 1am. Just like in college.

Sally discovered shopping... too many markets! Ugh!

Sally and I went Crocodile fishing! The best 30 cents of my life. (We hung slabs of pork on a rod! Hold on tight!)

Sally and I became victims to tourism. The "floating market" was a disappointment because the tour took us at the wrong time. The river was pretty empty! Ugh!

Sally looks good as a Vietnamese grandma!

The First night in Vietnam, we took Sally drinking by the river. That's how we rolllllll! She downed so much beer!

Pushing Through Life

Things are coming to an end and I realize that 50 days in Vietnam is not enough for me to accomplish what I want. Though I am ready to come home.

Yesterday, I was offended by a subtle remark. And I couldn't get it off my chest and a lot of negative feelings rushed through my body. Because even though we are all trying to be better, trying to be civil, supressing hurt... sometimes, it's just impossible to just forget.

Is this what I'm coming back to?

Feeling insignificant? Unaccomplished? like a failure?

==

Deep breaths. Vietnam will heal me.

I thought about it at the bus stop, what's wrong with me? how do I let people get under my skin? The first bus passed me because it was too full. Heh, just like SF. That's fine, I'd rather be comfortable anyway. I entered the second bus that was 5 minutes behind the first and stood next to someone with extremely bad BO.

I was stressing. What exactly did this person say to trigger this? They said, "I was expecting a more mature response." In the context of the conversation, it was no big deal. In context to everything else... it meant a lot. I don't like being talked down to, especially by this particular person. And a lot of STALE, OLD, 2006 feelings came back.... seriously, why!?!?

WHY WAS I BEING SO SENSITIVE!?!?

==

And then the lights in the bus went out. The guy collecting the money continued to collect 3,000d from the new passangers. The girls sitting next to me said, "please don't say it's broken... please don't say it's broken... my mama wants me home."

We were stopped in the middle of the road and the money collecter shouted, "I need 7 big strong guys to come out and push the bus." I smiled, fuck yeah.

I got out of the bus and pressed my hands against the vehicle that hadn't been washed in months. Along with 6 other guys we grounded our feet and pushed. Motorbikes were honking and swerving to pass us, lights flashing because it was night time. "ONE TWO THREE.... PUSH!"

The old bus rolled and then stopped. I couldn't stop smiling. I was pushing a bus down the streets of Vietnam. I felt spectacular. We pushed it down the street, blocking traffic, telling more people to get off because it was too heavy and finally, I heard the engine roar and the bus started to escape the people who got it to start.

We chased after it and jumped into the back door like a bad action movie. Everyone laughing and smiling and releaved that they weren't stranded.

==

Vietnam heals me.

Because in Vietnam, you're too concerned with life and there's no room to be petty. I was ready to get off at my stop, "You gotta kick the door to get it to open!" And I hopped out.

Like you gotta push the big bus called life to get it to run and then kick broken doors that stand in your way to get off at the stop that you want.

Fuck... I feel like Superman in Vietnam.

One Kilo

I was joking around with my coworker saying that I went up 1 kilopound, no kilometer.... no.. kilowatt? Shit...

...

....Kilogram!

yeah, that's it, 1 kilogram and she goes, "WHAT? no.. you at least gained 3 kilograms since you arrived!" I don't even know how many pounds that is! DAMN IT!

Its cuz the food is so good, but I exercize so much! UGH!

This is the team chowing down on some Dim Sum. And then me shopping afterwards. The company is so chill.

I was supposed to be shopping for friends, but I ended up getting more underwear for myself. It's the only thing that I know that's appropriately priced. I was looking for some sunglasses for my brother. They're 25k on the street, 70k at the tourist market and the guy at this place was asking 120k!!!! WTF! When I walked away he shouted, "how much do you want to paaayyyy??" Im like, fuck you, just cuz I'm a FOB and my Vietnamese is ugly!

Shopping in Vietnam is seriously stressful, what's the right price?! AHHH!!

==

Yesterday i took a Swing Dance class... I'll probably go again next week. And a couple of weeks ago was Salsa. This women grabbed my hips and corrected my sway. Hehehe, love it.

Priorities.

Last night I had a date with Romeo.

He suggested a really posh coffee shop on a really upscale street. So posh that the prices were in USD. It was a bit more romantic than I had planned. I made sure I had enough money to cover him.

I told the waiter not to take my order until my friend arrived, but after 20 minutes, I felt stood up. I took out his business card and called him... nothing. I waited five more minutes. I started to walk downstairs. I passed my waiter, "he never showed up." I was obviously disappointed.

And as I walked towards the exit, there he was waiting for me. Probably thinking the same thing. "Hello! I'm sorry my phone was dead, I should have checked upstairs. I was late."

==
We talked from 7:30 to 10 about everything.

His mother tongue was French, he studied Vietnamese for 3 years and he knew English from high school. He also knew a bit of Spanish and Japanese.

*drool*

He talked about how he loves to dance and doesn't need to get drunk because dancing gives him that adrenaline. He waved his hands in the air to simulate what he looked like on the dance floor... very cute. He also told me how he hated techno or whatever that music is and would rather dance to hip hop or pop because it's more interesting. *swoooon!*

He told me that when I go home, I need to sort out my priorities. I asked if he missed his family and he said yes, but it's his life he's living, not theirs and he's happy in Vietnam. He also reminded me that the salary in Vietnam is very low, but the experience you get is very high.

With experience comes money, I should be patient.

==

We talked about how Vietnamese people live with their parents until they are married and most aren't taught to think for themselves. We talked about how things will change in the future and the little mom and pop shops will all close down because of the flood of foreign retail investors in 2009 when Vietnam's trade doors swing wide open.

==

He told me about his psycho exgirlfriend and his current girlfriend. Hehe, yeah it wasn't a date, but I wish it was.

He was in a two year relationship.

==

He was so willing to talk to me. He suggested places to travel. His pet peeve is being a tourist. So if you travel, you should travel with a local. He told me how he spent 3 nights and two days on a diving trip. The whole package: $300 which included a secluded bungalo and 6 diving adventures of an island.

When we parted ways, he offered to take me to the backpack district, but I didn't have a helmet and I didn't want to risk getting pulled over.

I came home too pensive to eat dinner.

Instead of wondering who I am and where I belong... I am now wondering what are my priorities?

My 2 month venture to find something is coming to an end and my questions have yet to be answered. Ohhhh Romeo, how do you have things SO figured out?!

Get it Tailored!

I got my American-purchased-made-for-white-man suit shortened and made to hug my body for 6 bucks. And 3 sexy button downs made from scratch for 12 each (including the fabric). Hot hot hot.

My local girl cousin got this cute dress made. She saw a picture, bought the fabric and bada bing, bada boom! She has the dress!

Big question: How long will these clothese last?! Especially in American washing machines?!?

==

Okay. So this is how it works. If it's made in Vietnam, it's GOING to be cheap. These are the things that I saw that are made in Vietnam:

Abercrombie

American Eagle

Adidas

Quicksilver

Anyway, if it's made anywhere else, its more expensive. It all makes sense now!

==

Things made in Vietnam are normal and people are scared of things made in China! So anything "American" or "Japanese" is highly sought after!

Happy Ending

Everytime I explore a new street, I feel as though I conquer another piece of Saigon! I highlight all the streets that I've walked and explored on a map that I carry around. Yesterday I did more than just explore the streets.

I found a Sauna/Massage palor called: Golden Smile (Same owner of the bar that Tino works at) on the internet and I mapped out the route. It was definitely far. I had no intentions of visiting the place that day, but decided just to walk in the direction.

I ended up on a main road with heavy traffic. There was a lot to see, but a lot of the same stuff. There were bright lights and tons of people. I decided to turn around when I found a street light so that I could cross safetly. On the other side of the street was majestic pagoda.

This was the pagoda that was near the sauna... hmm.. how about I walk just a bit further? I found a cross street. But it wasn't it. I thought to myself- I'm already here, lets just find it and then go home. I walked to another cross street. 640, 644, 656... there it was: Golden Smile Club.

I pictured a shady small door with a hidden sign in a dark alley. Being a very popular gay massage place made me assume that it wouldn't be so out there. But it was huge and bright and couldn't be missed.

Well, I'm here. What to do now? Ask for prices? Why not?
The lobby was nicer than many hotel lobbies. There was a pond. 100,000 massage ($6), 70,000 ($4) sauna only. All these other services such as facial massages with seawead.

I read on a blog, that it was worth it.. and I figured, if anything shady happens I can try to resist. I'm already here. Right?

I bought my ticket and changed in the locker room. On a board, I selected the person who would be touching me. There was only one cute guy. I sat in a beautiful waiting room. I was really nervous, tense. There was another guy there wearing onlya towel, eating snacks and smoking. He was middle aged.

What the fuck am I doing!? I felt my heart race.

"Your room is ready." fuck.

I walked up stairs and met my massager, he was cute. And I rested on the table. We made conversation. He was also 23. I was really tense. "Just enjoy the massage" I thought; I tried to relax. I told him, this was my first time. That statement alone, didn't help my case. His small hands were strong. This was a nice legit massage, nothing to worry about!!! BUT while massaging my back, my elbow somehow go wedged into his crouch. Okay... this is where it gets very interesting and less legit.

I'm not going to tell you what he did exactly, but interesting is the appropriate word. I got a full body massage so to speak. Legs, feet, arms. He cracked some of my bones as we made awkward conversation. Once again, my foot somehow go wedged into his crotch. Not so legit.

When I was laying on my back, I watched his facial expression. To him, this was work. He kept looking at the clock. He works 4 days a week 10am to 10pm, if he has no customers, he just sits around. I was his 3rd customer today.

This was terrible. I felt bad for him and I told him that he should stop.

On a piece of paper, I was told to write my tip. I put 25%. "It qua!!" (too little). I shrugged my shoulders, how about 50%? "kung duoc." (That's fine). I left and headed to the Sauna.

I couldn't enjoy the massage because I was nervous. I realized that I can't enjoy a massage from a stranger. A regular massage or an interesting massage; I'd have to know them to be comfortable. But my muscles were definitely less stiff.

==
This would be the cruising for sex part. (Sorry mom)

I was told by a fellow blogger, that the sauna was a sea of men.. and amoung them a couple of hotties. The blogger hooked up with a carpenter or brick layer; he described this as quite memorable.

I told myself, I would regret it if I didn't just go. Deep breaths. I wish I had a friend.

I wrapped my bare body in a towel and cruised the joint. He was was right, about 2 or 3 hotties amoung a sea of closted businessmen, foreigners and bears. The place was small, but artisitc. There was a patio and a resting area, a dry sauna and a steam room and lots of plants.

I played cool. I wanted to be hit on. So I sat for a while exchanging smiles. Then I thought to myself, "I should just approach the boy I like." There was a big bear between me and probably the hottest guy in the room. When the bear left, I aggressive scooted and said hello.
"umm.. so how old are you?"
"huh?" my broken Vietnamese was difficult to make out.
"how old are you?"
"21" wow.. 21?!? and you're in a gay sauna. He was tall, handsome, nice swimmer's muscles.
In two seconds, he stood up and bolted to another room. Not walked away, but he sort of RAN AWAY!

Damn. So, maybe it's like I'm a FOB and my terrible Vietnamese turns these guys off. I should have tried English. OR maybe the age thing was a terrible line. I felt... very unsexy.

I headed to the steam room. I watched these two guys get it on. The guy next to me rubbed his leg indicating that he was interested in me. I can't do this. I walked out of the steam room. I checked out the dry sauna. When I entered 3 guys started to laugh. "You should have been watching the door!!" They immediately left when I entered.

I have an amazing talent, of clearing a room.

Okay, one more thing to check out, the jacuzzi. Yes, you go in naked and it was a luke warm jacuzzi. I watched this guy get closer to another. And then I noticed his facial expression and shoulder movement. There was def. something going on. I got out of the jacuzzi and headed to the showers.

I used a lot of soap. No.. like A LOT OF SOAP. So... this is what it means to be sexually promiscuous. There was a gym upstairs, but I didn't feel like checking it out.

I returned to the lobby. "Are you taking a motortaxi home?"
"No, I'm just going to walk."

And I walked out of the Golden Smile feeling strange. I felt really clean and relaxed, but thinking about what it meant to go these "clubs." What it meant to be hit on and what it meant to be rejected because I was ridiculous enough to select the hottest guy in the room. Haha, Right? I'm crazy. But I was happy that I went. And now I know what it's like.

==

It was 9pm, and it would take me a little less than an hour to walk home. I took a different route and it started to rain lightly, I had an umbrella. I picked a bad, poorly lit street. I walked passed these two shady guys who said something to one another and nodded their head towards me. I quickened my pace.

My heart started to race faster than when I had initially entered the massage parlor. I watched my shadow to see if there were any shadows following me. Shit, I just had a gay massage, now I'm going to get a gay beating.

I turned the corner and stood next to a crowded restaurunt. I turned around to see if they were following me. They weren't.

Deep breathes. That was the first time I had been scared in Vietnam. I take that back. 3rd time. First time was during the airport check in and second was that massage.

I made it home safe and devoured a soup that my aunt had made.

==

I never got the "happy ending" that I guess I paid for.
But that's okay, that's not how life should work anyway.

Vietlish Jokes

So I stole these from another blogger

So this guy is taking his girlfriend to a local food vendor.
He asks: "hey baby, you hungry?"
She says "no."

So the same guy brings his girlfriend to a local shoe vendor.
He asks: "hey baby, you like these shoes?
"She says "dép."

HAHAHAHAH!

Gay in Vietnam II

I'm dying. Especially when I go to the pool, there is a fair share of hot guys with beautiful bodies.

I got Romeo's email and I'm having coffee with him on Monday. EEEEE!!!! Did I mention that he has beautiful back muscles? You can see them when he hangs off the ledge of the pool.

I met this guy named Tino who lives next door and he is freaking FIONE. Tall, works out, cute smile. I got his number too.

I'm finding that I'm a lot more aggressive. I think this is what "networking" is. I guess I left that all behind at Berkeley. But this is so necessary because I'm getting lonely and I have two more weeks to rock it out!

You know how straights pretent to be gay with eachother for laughs. yeah they do that here too and it's strange. Guys hold hands frequently and no one gives it a second look.

Tino, my local cousin and I were walking down the street and I caught him grazing my ass. I giggled hoping he would do it again. I love it, I touched his back affectionately and his shoulder and arms etc while crossing the street pretending to be scared of the traffic. It was just 'straight' boy love that the states is deprived of because everyone is so paranoid.

I found out that Tino works at a gay bar, but he didn't know it. I began to watch his mannerisms... oo, a little gay. His mannerisms probably changed when he realized he got better tips by fliriting with men. I day dreamed about coming home with him, I wonder what his mom would say.

So this is how it works: "Gays" are boys who like boys. "Ladymen" are a guys that acts like ladies. It's hilarious when my cousin pretends to be a Ladyman... because not much changes in his body movement.

"Your cousin says you're gay." Tino said bluntly. This is ironic, my cousin's self giving American name is Liberty.
"what!?"
"yeah.... you don't know until you try it once!" he was joking, but I was awkward. I was glad I wasn't further pressured to expose my sexuality. I was tempted to ask Tino if he had "tried it once," but decided not to make the situation any more awkward.

I debated if I should come out to my cousin. I think it's better he didn't know, but I'm sure he suspects. Tino invited me out to drink sometime and I'm definitely taking him up on that offer. He wears this cute necklace with a ring attached, "is that from your boyfriend?" I joked.

"Noooo! Best friend!" Yeah right.

As we were walking down the street some guy on a motorbike made kissing noises to Tino.
"Is that your boyfriend!?" I joked again
"Noooo! Thats a friend froms school." Yeah right, he probably goes to your bar, I thought.

The bar that Tino works at is called "Golden Smile."
That's so fucking gay. I gotta check this place out. Tino's main job is the flirt with men and get them to buy more drinks. He gets a percentage of what they buy.

My girl cousin said he was probably hired because he has a nice body, but not a cute face. She said this with Tino next to her. Gosh, Vietnamese people are blunt.

==

I'm considering going to a Sauna and getting a massage from a boy. But... maybe not. I dunno, sounds like a terrible idea. And dangerous. I heard stories about people getting massages and then being offered a "massage down there." =.= Extra services for an extra fee? No thanks, I'm on a budget.

Ahh.. I have boys on my minddddd!

A Lesson about Vietnamese Families

At least the color is cute.

==

I was watching the Vietnamese Version of Family Feud! It was sooo captivating! The categories were ridiculously easy:

Fruits, other than oranges, that you can make juice from.

I couldn't remember the other ones, but it was interesting.

==
On the topic of families, I got my cousin in trouble and her mom started to yell at her and she yelled back and cried a bunch. I felt terrible and apologized to everyone. They assured me that it wasn't my fault and there was more to it.

It was so awkward, I felt like I had burdened the family. But I know that I will never truly understand what family burden is.

My cousin, who is younger than me is expected to clean and cook the house just because she's a girl. She's also responsible for feeding her paralyzed grandma and changing the grandma's diaper. Which she doesn't mind doing because she loves her so much.

I never did that shit for my grandma... I just came over, ate her food... kissed her on the cheek and left. And when it was Tet, I recited a line, kissed her on the cheek got my red envolope awesomeness and left.

It's interesting.. this Asian American complex. "Oh I feel so bad, I'm so disrespectful and unappreciative" and rarely we do anything about it except feel bad and then move on.

Right?

It seems like these kids are taught to be dependant on their families until they're married and this "burden" is just a part of the cycle of mom takes care of child.. child returns the favor. But Asian Americans are confused... they feel that "burden" yet escape it with all the energy that they have.

When our parents get old, we hire someone to change their diaper. It's the epidome of an American spoiled child... and we wouldn't have it any other way.

==

Disagree? Would you change your grandma's diaper and spoon feed her apple sauce everyday if she was paralyzed due to a stroke?

Drunk Foreigner

Last Saturday, at this posh club, this guy was having a going away party. He knew so many people that the club dedicated some "happy hour" drinks entitled "Mikes Favorite." I was given two free drink passes and helped myself to some very strong Long Island.

At clubs, you're not allowed to take pictures, but you can see that no one cares and security who does not speak anything other than Vietnamese doesn't know what to do. The same thing goes if I get pulled over. Just speak English and they'll just let you go.. but I'm not going to test that theory.

This is my baller expat cousin

Even though I had two drinks I was determined to get an AMF. This is a tribute to my boys back at home, it tasted so good. Fuck I miss you guys.

Wear whatever you want in Saigon! It's fucking hot here!
Very westernized bar to tailor to westerns

I met these German girls who were quite fun! We danced all night long. I was so wasted. I ditched my cousin or rather he bounced early and I followed these ladies to a good time!

So... if you're a foreigner, you are given special treatment. At 1am I entered Apocoloypes, the notorious club for expats! There was sign that read: 150,000d (10 bucks) to get in. And the German girls said to me, "JUST speak a foreign language and pretend you can't read the sign!" So they spoke to me in German and I laughed like they were telling a joke and we walked right passed!

Hillarious! Oh you should hear these girls try to speak Vietnamese, good lord.

Apocolypes played great music and there were a lot of hookers, but I was concentrated on dancing.

I wanted to take a group picture but something got in the way.

I took a motortaxi home and the girls were concerned, "sometimes the drivers are more drunk than you at this time!" I was lucky enough to get a sober one.. but he could have been drunk.

Yes, I had a hang over the next morning.

Because of a Boy Named Romeo

Psychology tells me that when I travel to another country, I hit three no-shit stages

1. Excitement
2. Homesickness
3. Wanting to Stay Forever

My excitement lasted for two weeks, by my third, I had become numb to the new lifestyle that I had created for myself. I began to miss my family and friends and realizing what "home" was... and reconsidering if I really did have "feet that love to walk." I really wanted to be home and take a warm shower and hang out with the boys... Vietnam's charm was dying out and I was glad that it was going to be over in three weeks. But now I'm at stage three: wanting to stay forever because of a boy named Romeo.

My other Aunt invited me to go swimming with her this morning at 6am to teach her family how to swim. I figured that I was already up by then because of the early morning traffic outside my house and voices of strangers drinking coffee beneath me.

I spent an hour casually teaching my family how to swim, but they were all hydrophobic and blind... so yes, it was a challange. "Go swim in the big pool Pho!"
"No, it's okay.. I like being around you guys." At that point I noticed a group of boys enter the pool. Of course, the one white guy stood out like a sore thumb. "Actually, Yeah, I'm going to swim some laps in the big pool."

I ditched my family and did some laps to show off. I waited for the white boy to stop next to me. "Where are you from?" I was tactless.

"Noi Tieng Viet Duoc" (I can speak Vietnamese) Sexy.
"haha... I can't!"
"Oh.. I'm from Phap"
"France?"
"Yeah" I was hoping my American charm would help me... but his trilingual ability had me trippin' boo.

God he was hot. His English had a bit of French in it. His dirty blonde hair shimmered against the early morning sun. His body had no fat and he swam laps non stop until I stopped next to him. He was 25. Moved to Vietnam to study the language for a year and has been there for 3 years working in outsourcing.

"Not returning anytime huh?"
"Nope!" He was very vehement about staying in Vietnam. I eased dropped as he talked to his coworkers (the group of boys), he was definitely fluent in Vietnamese. *drool

Every Tuesday and Thursday him and his coworkers come out to swim before work. He mainly speaks Vietnamese in his office.

"Whats your name?"
"Romeo and yours?" *faints a little*
"Christopher... we'll, I'll let you swim." And I left. I guess, I was trying to play hard to get, but I probably came off as bored. But no worries... I will be back on Thursday morning.

==

At that point, I hit stage 3. Not because he was hot, though that did help, but rather because he was inspiring. He's been in Vietnam for 3 years! And he was only 25. He had no plans to return to France... because essentially Vietnam had more to offer him.

So what about me?
This trip has hit the midway mark... and it's an appropriate time to start planning for the future. I defintely realize all the good in my life... but I'm also seeing the potential of being somewhere else.

There is absolutely NO doubt that I'm coming home Nov.9 (unless I can get an extension on my ticket and come back December... but very unlikely.) The question is: how soon will I come back to Vietnam? and will I stay for longer? If so, then I should start applying for jobs.

Oh Romeo... how you got me trippin'

Everyone Has Function...if not, they make one up.

Labor is so cheap in Vietnam... everyone has a function.

I bought a SIM card from a random cell phone stand and I was told to wait to 10 minutes. In 10 minutes this guy rides up in a motorbike to hand me my SIM. His primary function was to drive around the city delivering SIM cards to random mobile shops.

Near my Aunt's place is a street that specializes in motorbike decor. While waiting to get some stuff tailored, my cousin had his phone laminated.

THAT'S RIGHT! HIS CELL PHONE LAMINATED!!!

So these kids take a lighter and warm the metal on the Cellphone (like $500 cell phones) and melt plastic on it. After, they smoothen it out with their finger and use a razor blade to cut out the sliding parts.

I was in awe. People laminate their motorbikes too. It's like an art. Pictures to come.

==

I was in the market looking for some guy clothes. While walking down an aisle these three ladies turned their head and said in unison, "what are you looking for?" At that point I turned the opposite direction and ran.

While I was trying on shirts 5 people who worked there? were staring at me. Good God, how am i supposed to shop like this. And while buying fabric to tailor a shirt this woman kept telling me how "MO Durn" it was and how handsome I would look. Thank you, but I can't think with your incessant yammering.

Buying at the market is like buying from a car dealer.
==

Labor is so cheap, I've gone to restaurants with people just standing around because there's nothing for them to do. And when they hand you a menu they stand there... staring. GO away!! I need time to decide!

==

I'm officially a FOB. I was trying to figure out how to spell the word 'unison.' But I was convinced that it was pronounced Unicent... so of course I needed to describe the word to a friend to get the correct spelling. Oh god help me.

Curry

When my grandma passed away in 2006, it didn't affect me as much as I thought it would. I never dreamt about her and I only cried for her at the funeral.

But being here, spending time with her sister's family and her brother's family made me realize how much I missed her.

"Your grandma was the BEST cook." She was, every dish she made was beyond delicious.

She had a tough life, she sent her 17 year old daughter to the states to find a better life, not knowing what would happen to her. 10 Years later, she was reunited and left Vietnam to be with her daughter and help raise her grandchildren: me and my brother.

How alienated she must have felt in California. She never asked to return to Vietnam because even though her silblings were in Asia, her daughter was in the US.

She took care of me. A lot and I never really showed enough appreciation. When do we?

Last night, my aunt, my grandma's neice cooked curry for the death aniversary of my great grandma, my grandma's mom. The curry was an amazing copy of what my grandma used to cook for me when I was growing up.

It's impossible to forget your roots when you're surrounded by your family's history. My parents told me my grandma's spirit followed me to Vietnam. I believe it. I believe it more every minute I spend time with her family that left to be with me.

God, this curry is delicious.

From the Ground Up

I really enjoy talking to locals and learning everything I possibly can.

I learned today that Vietnamese people buy land and then hire someone to build their house to their liking. Often, they build the houses themselves. This explains the poor craftsmanship and lack of regulations on some of the homes that I've visited. Eg: poor/dangerous wiring, bathrooms with no ceilings, uneven tiles, walls held together by twine... all of that.

I showed my coworker my house and she was amazed that all my neighbors have the same house.

"You mean, you don't build the house yourself?"
"No, we buy houses premade"

"That's so strange and boring, I like the freedom to design and create my own home. Why would you want your house to look like someone else's"

She continued, "if you buy someone else's house, you knock it down and build your own. Usually, those houses are old anyway. You can pick how many stories.. build it how high as you want! It's your property!"

If I were to design my house... there would be a giraffe room, a cheese room and a swimming pool. That's all. Yes, I'm predictable.

==

I did some research on construction in Saigon and stumbled upon a great blog!

http://newsaigon.wordpress.com/

A blog that discusses the "various construction projects happening in this vibrant city, it will include some huge infrastructure projects as well as the many offices, shopping centres and apartments that are on the go or have been given the green light. "

This particular project is of interest: The VISTAS!

Very ambitious, don't you think?

The Vista project made headlines on the 7 June 2007 when over 400 people queued for hours to secure a contract for an apartment on the first phase, all 237 units on phase 1 were booked by 2 pm the same day.

The price range on original contracts was between $1200 and $1600 per square metre. The project sits on 23000 sq m of land and there is to be extensive landscaping with gardens and water features. There will be a total of 750 residential apartments and some retail facilities plus a commercial block.

Construction:

Very ambitious!