N0te: This was posted a few days ago, "but Miss, the computer ate my homework".
Thankfully, now blogger has an autosave function, much as it could be recovered.
Apparently, the government run internet service providers block access to viewing Blogger, Wordpress and a few other blog sites which may be used by dissidents and other ducks. One can however post.
The last week or so has been a whirl - well, maybe I rephrase that, as Viet pace is a little different to the Western corporate lifestyle. There is always plenty of time for sitting and chatting with your friends over tea, or coffee, or Bia Hoi (fresh beer). There is always time for a snooze, and any place will do, but after (an early) lunch is almost mandatory. Lie down on your motorcycle seat with your feet on the handlebars if you can be so lucky, otherwise a patch of ground, under a counter, or on a plastic chair or three will always do.
Bob and I agreed to look after the house of a young American couple for the month that they are returning to the States during the summer holiday season here. The house doesn't need much looking after, as "Hu'o'ng", a local lady comes each afternoon five days a week to keep things going smoothly. They do however, have a five month cat - "Mister Bixby" - who does require some care and attention. The house will provide some overflow accommodation for our guests and us when everyone is around at the same time.
I moved in on Thursday, and was soon wrapped around the small, manipulative paw of the squirrel tailed Bixby. Although around four and a half kilometres as the crow flies from our apartment in Ba Dinh, roads which may be straight, have a definite kink in them along the way, making the shortest route around 6km, although this is far from the quickest.
Luckily, I have mastered the scooter around town, and weave through traffic like a local. Traffic is extraordinary, with 30 minutes a pretty good time for this trip (whatever route) on pushbike or motor cycle.
Bob is certainly becoming a local identity around the Truc Bac lake district near the apartment. As he does his morning exercise - a concept beloved by the locals, bless 'em - he is waved at and said hello to by an increasing number of people. Today was Bob's 61st Birthday, and he received gifts from no less than 3 locals who knew that it was his day today!!! We went out to dinner in the most glorious setting of an old French colonial villa on the southern edge of Hoan Kiem lake, run as a training ground for disadvantaged youth.
The setting was spectacular, the service warm and keen - one couldn't ask for more . . . other than more reliable food. The prices were quite reasonable given the surroundings and excellent service, the design and display of the food was well thought out and rather impressive. However, the food itself was quite frankly bland. Dumbed down for western palates in all probablity.
Thankfully, now blogger has an autosave function, much as it could be recovered.
Apparently, the government run internet service providers block access to viewing Blogger, Wordpress and a few other blog sites which may be used by dissidents and other ducks. One can however post.
The last week or so has been a whirl - well, maybe I rephrase that, as Viet pace is a little different to the Western corporate lifestyle. There is always plenty of time for sitting and chatting with your friends over tea, or coffee, or Bia Hoi (fresh beer). There is always time for a snooze, and any place will do, but after (an early) lunch is almost mandatory. Lie down on your motorcycle seat with your feet on the handlebars if you can be so lucky, otherwise a patch of ground, under a counter, or on a plastic chair or three will always do.
Bob and I agreed to look after the house of a young American couple for the month that they are returning to the States during the summer holiday season here. The house doesn't need much looking after, as "Hu'o'ng", a local lady comes each afternoon five days a week to keep things going smoothly. They do however, have a five month cat - "Mister Bixby" - who does require some care and attention. The house will provide some overflow accommodation for our guests and us when everyone is around at the same time.
I moved in on Thursday, and was soon wrapped around the small, manipulative paw of the squirrel tailed Bixby. Although around four and a half kilometres as the crow flies from our apartment in Ba Dinh, roads which may be straight, have a definite kink in them along the way, making the shortest route around 6km, although this is far from the quickest.
Luckily, I have mastered the scooter around town, and weave through traffic like a local. Traffic is extraordinary, with 30 minutes a pretty good time for this trip (whatever route) on pushbike or motor cycle.
Bob is certainly becoming a local identity around the Truc Bac lake district near the apartment. As he does his morning exercise - a concept beloved by the locals, bless 'em - he is waved at and said hello to by an increasing number of people. Today was Bob's 61st Birthday, and he received gifts from no less than 3 locals who knew that it was his day today!!! We went out to dinner in the most glorious setting of an old French colonial villa on the southern edge of Hoan Kiem lake, run as a training ground for disadvantaged youth.
The setting was spectacular, the service warm and keen - one couldn't ask for more . . . other than more reliable food. The prices were quite reasonable given the surroundings and excellent service, the design and display of the food was well thought out and rather impressive. However, the food itself was quite frankly bland. Dumbed down for western palates in all probablity.
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