Life goes on

Apologies for the long silence.

I have been catching up with studies. The break in Singapore was good but it also meant that the language gets left behind on these shores. So got to work hard. The erratic weather in Ha Noi had not been of much help either. Wet and hot almost everyday with some days of extreme heat and humidity. Taking a breath on those days can be torturous.

Went to the Museum of Revolution yesterday (Bao Tang Cach Mang). Fascinating place. After spending almost two hours at the museum, I realised how much of the country's history was filled with resistance to foreigners and their influence. One can almost sense the pride from the myriad of paintings, photographs and artifacts on display. Useful for anyone interested in the country to make a visit to deeper understand this country.

Managed to play badminton on Wednesday. Felt really good but paying the price now with the body aching everywhere that is possible to ache. Also made contact with a group that plays football on Sundays. Hmm. Tempted but will take it slow. The badminton will be a regular affair on Wednesdays from now on. Good to have some exercise under the belt.

Been reading a lot of books. Not surprising given the amount of time I have on my hands in the nights.

So I decided that I will try to write a short story to fulfil a childhood dream.

Smart move? Too premature to know but what the heck, I will not know until I try. Will keep you all posted. May even paste it on the blog!

Take care.

Back to Ha Noi

Hi.

Back in Ha Noi after a week's break.

The break was good in every sense of the word. To see my family and close friends after a long hiatus felt wonderful. To eat local food was also great, especially my mum-in-law's cooking! Gosh, how much I miss eating the green vegetables cooked in the way I like them!

Well, it is going to be quite a while before I head back home but I am already counting down the days till I do so.

As for now till my return, it is back to studies and exploration of the city known as Ha Noi.

Perhaps I should also start examining the sights and sounds near the city.

Perhaps. Will have to do some research first before deciding where to go.

Take care and will keep you all posted.

I am home, at least for a while

Back in Singapore. A nice change in environment.

To see Mei Mei again was fantastic. Words cannot describe how I felt when she smiled at me with her five small and budding teeth.

Happiness is too mild a word but hard to find the word to suit the occasion.

And when it was clear that the weeks away did not diminish her memory of me, the happiness (or whatever word that will do justice to the situation) doubled immediately.

It is good to be home. To be with the family.

Catch up with you all soon. Perhaps over local coffee?

Time Flies Too Fast

Apologies for the long silence.

The last few days went by in a whirlwind.

We went around parts of Ha Noi. Nic loves the food. Nic and Ian also met some of my friends in Ha Noi.

It was a good introduction to Ha Noi for both of them.

I am exhausted but happy.

Reunion

It is a great day.

Nicole and Ian finally arrived in Ha Noi.

Words failed me at the airport. I am so happy to see both of them, although we miss Natania immediately.

On the way to the hotel, Ian asked, "Papa, why are there so many honks?"

Again, words failed me.

Looking forward to bringing them around Ha Noi tomorrow.

Will keep all of you posted.

Friends

Had some friends in town. It was good to see them. After more than 2 months in Ha Noi by myself, always good to see some familar faces. Went to Quan An Ngon (literally "shop of delicious food") for dinner. Good introduction for them to authentic Vietnamese food. They liked it. Whew.

The last I spoke to them, Nic and Ian were almost ready for their trip. Ian was hilarious this morning. Called and spoke to me about whether he could bring some of his toys over to Ha Noi. It is like his security blanket. Have toys would travel, I guess, for Ian. He was very excited. Am looking forward to seeing Nic and Ian tomorrow. He is apparently keen to swim too.

After dinner, went for a walk and found a Sandman figurine (from Spiderman)! Cool. Ian will like it, I am certain. I like it.

Ha Noi has been raining for the past few evenings. Hope the next few days will see nice and not too warm weather. That would be prefect for walking around the Old Quarter.

Later.

Two More Days

I am filled with quiet anticipation but it is killing me in slow motion.

Anyway, to explain the anticipation. You see, two more days and I will meet my family again (sans the little one who will remain back home with her grandparents). They will be in town for the weekend. More to get to know Ha Noi. First time in Ha Noi for Nicole and Ian or as what the Vietnamese would say "lan dau tien". Time to eat some pho bo!

Sigh. It has been a long while. Too long in fact. It is never good to be away from one's loved ones.

As you can imagine, I cannot wait to be see them. On a lighter note, I asked Ian a few days ago. He told me that he was looking forward to seeing me in Ha Noi and in the same breath, he added that he was also looking forward to seeing the Playstation Portable (PSP)! Haha. He really likes the game machine. ZZ, Ian is getting really good with gaming. He has gone past the Escondido Village days.

Heading out soon. Some friends in town. Catch you all later.

Coffee is Good

It rained heavily today. Had to drag myself out of bed. But the rain cooled the heat that had been permeating Ha Noi over the past few days. Temporary relief it may be but relief nevertheless.

The best way to start the day, especially a wet one, is with a cup of black coffee, Vietnamese style.

I have grown to enjoy the taste of the local coffee, in particular when they serve you with the drip filter (ca phe den phim). It is an acquired taste though given that it is strong and mildly bitter sweet. And the locals like it really strong. Once it hits the stomach, it is all systems-go. Rocket fuel!

Fun. Chia and company, Ah May included, I am certain you will like the taste and texture of the local coffee. Another reason to visit me? No, Ah May, I have yet to try the coconut water!

I read recently that a man who had been taking a particular type of medication for a long time was discovered to have dark greenish blood like Dr Spock in Star Trek. Once he stopped the medication, the colour of his blood turned back to normal.

Hmm.

Wonder whether I will face the same challenge. Better not!

Ok. I will drink tea for a day. Just one day. To give the blood a day of rest!

The Wonders of Technology

I was reading a book in quiet solitude when the phone rang. It was Ian.

"Papa, I need some bedtime stories so that I can go to bed".

In desperation, I searched through the rooms. "Yes", I shouted with glee when I discovered that I did have some children's books with me.

Ian was delighted. I then read two stories to him.

Thank goodness for modern technology!

Ian laughed aloud as I added some drama and actions in my story-telling. I was quite loud. My neighbours must be wondering whether I was mad. Ian rolled in his seat with laughter. When the stories ended, Ian told me that I was a good story-teller. He said his goodnights and went off to bed.

To say that I was pleased would be an understatement. I was in fact humbled. To be able to hear and see him laugh was priceless. To be able to read him his bedtime stories was a gift. I thanked God for this gift, which made my day completed.

Alone

It was another busy day. I had to wake up early to go for lessons in the morning. Not much success today though. The mind was preoccupied.

A friend came by later for lunch. It was his birthday and his family was out of Ha Noi. He wanted company and thought of me, a kindred soul.

Two lonely gentlemen eating pho and drinking coffee.

A Vietnamese and his foreign friend united in their thoughts for their families. Loneliness knows no boundaries or barriers. It cuts too deep.

Went to a friend's place to play table-tennis. First time for a while since I last played a game.

It felt good. But yet, the thoughts remained.

Of my family back home.

I miss their smiles. I miss their hugs. I miss waking up to find them looking at me or sleeping close by.

I miss them. In the day and in the night. In my waking hours. In my dreams.

Wish they are with me.

Its Friday

Yeah! It is Friday! What a week! I thought it would never end. The long hours of language practice were simply exhausting and made more challenging by the sudden arrival of summer. Sudden is the word. I think summer literally fell on me. Man, it is really hot. So hot that it gets a bit hard to breathe at times. Perhaps that could be linked to wearing a tight t-shirt? Nah. The level of humidity is the cause of the stifling heat. Today's temperature hit 37-38 degrees centigrade. I never drank so much tea in a day before. I am told that it may hit higher in the coming weeks.

But the heat is made more bearable by the advent of lychees on the streets. Farmers, mostly women, beat the streets in the hope of selling their produce to passers-by. The lychees I tasted were fresh and sweet. I am told that the lychee season only lasts a month and they would be at their best next week. Cool. I am looking forward to them.

Before I arrived in Ha Noi, I was told that Vietnam is a fruit heaven. I am beginning to see why. For example, the premises of the History Museum have longan trees. The fruits are beginning to form. A few more months, I am told, before they are ready for picking. On the streets, you will see watermelons, pineapples, oranges, lychees, peaches and many of types. It is simply amazing.

Will be heading out for a cup of coffee soon. A Vietnamese friend of mine is coming by and we are going to hang out for a while at one of the old coffee houses. Night life along the streets of Ha Noi is fascinating. After's a day work, you will find many Vietnamese sitting in such cafes, having coffee or tea. Others will head to have beers or "bia".

Time for a motorcycle experience again!

Reflections

It was a fruitful day today. No pun intended given the recent role played by some watermelons in my life. I had the usual lessons in school, although I had to really struggle to get out of bed this morning. My teacher was, as ever, very patient with me. She kept a straight face whenever I mispronounced certain words but I could see the twinkling in her eyes betraying silent laughter. Hehe. Glad I am bringing some joy to others each day I learn the language. On the plus side, I think I am making some progress. At least I think so. I hope so. I better.

What was different and fun today was my first visit to the history museum (Bao Tang Lich Su -lit: Museum of History). Many of us think we "know" Vietnam but this is usually based on what we see from Hollywood movies or from the books we read. But there is much more to know. Walking through the museum gave me a sense of Vietnam's rich and dynamic past. I will have to return to take my time to go through the exhibits. By the way, Ha Noi is big into museums. So if you are big into museums, Ha Noi is right up your alley.

So it was with great satisfaction that I walked to Ho Hoan Kiem (Lake of the Restored Sword) to grab a cup of Vietnamese black coffee (ca phe den) at a little cafe by the lake. That's where I got the shot of the sunlight through the trees. Nothing beats sipping coffee while watching people walking by. I also saw Vietnamese couples, young and old, sitting by the lake. Some of them were simply taking a breather before moving with their journey as well as their lives. Others were holding hands, obviously in love.

A great reflection of the daily lives of the Vietnamese people amidst the cacophony of noise and dust emanating from the chaotic roads.

Satisfied, I got up from my seat and took a slow walk back to my hotel. I did stop and had a bowl of Vietnamese beef noodles (Pho Bo). It tasted good.

It was a beautiful day and I am happy to be present to enjoy it.

I hope you had a good day too.

Till tomorrow.

First days

Ha Noi. It was really hot today. Getting up in the morning was tough. Walking to the school was worse. Perhaps it was not helped by the stomach bug! Suspect it was the watermelons left open in the restaurant. I should have known but took the risk. Ironic. Well. Life ain't fun if one does not take risks, right? Wrong if you are having stomach cramps every few minutes! But I must say that the melons were really sweet!

Been in Ha Noi for almost 2 months now. What a ride! Fascinating city with lots of character and historical anecdotes. Spent a lot of initial weeks walking around the city. The people are generally warm and friendly. At least those I met since my arrival are. Understanding and speaking the language help tremendously, of course. On the other hand, the noise and pollution are big minuses.

Perhaps things would improve in the near future.

But it would be a tough struggle. For example, it would be a huge challenge simply to manage the number of motorcycles on the streets.

I am not sure whether one should cry or laugh when you discover that crossing the roads in Ha Noi is an act of faith. My Vietnamese friends tell me to trust that the motorcyclists would avoid us when we cross the road. That is what I call blind faith but it helps to be brave. Really brave. Really really brave!

I am quite adept now but still there were several "near-death" experiences.

Taking a motorcycle ride is another Vietnamese speciality!

No helmets and moving at high speeds. Not much respect for traffic regulations. Leave it to you to visualise. On the plus side, taking the motorcycle taxis (or Xe Om in Vietnamese) is cheap and fast. But you should be prepared for the exhausts coming from the other vehicles on the streets as well as the expected close shaves.

Well. Another day. Let's see what tomorrow brings.