close your mind-tracks and leave fantastically

me today

2007-05-30T17:44:00.000+02:00

more on Turtleocity

2007-04-17T13:44:00.000+02:00

Go Turtleocity!

2007-04-17T12:07:00.001+02:00

As Our Man rightly reminded me, I have a turtle fighting for her life right now, travelling from Costa Rica to the Galapagos. Obviously, and luckily, Turtleocity is not doing it by herself. There with another 10 friends...and guess where my turtle is??? Number 8.

Call for support, love and affection for Turtleocity. Check out her progress on Great Turtle Race and give her all the energy you can.

Check this out for live coverage.

I couldn't have asked for a better turtle, I'm soooo proud.

tourists or travellers?

2007-04-02T11:54:00.000+02:00

Here follows Alex Kapranos' last article for The Guardian's Sound Bites:

Sound Bites

End of the road

In the last column charting his gastronomic adventures around the world with Franz Ferdinand, Alex Kapranos is appalled by British table manners in Prague

Friday August 25, 2006
The Guardian

This is Prague. It's time to stop writing about food. There's a booth selling sweet dough that has been wrapped around a metal cylinder, roasted then coated with sugar, steam rising from the hollow stack like smoke from an Ottoman chimney. I'm in the main square by the astrological clock. It seems to be on the side of a church, in a marriage of superstition and religion. The queue for the sweet chimneys is about 15 long when the stallholder announces that he is shutting. He has run out of dough. Disappointment ripples along the queue like a domino rally. It reaches two teenage British girls with pink faces and heavy backpacks. It's too much for them. Consternation propels them to the lip of the stall, where the last of the chimneys is being handed over. They have an unquestionable sense of privately educated self-assurance. Girl One fixes the stallholder with an upturned nose and schoolteacher gaze. She barks like a vicar's wife.

"You can't possibly close! We're leaving tomorrow!"

The stallholder glances at her.

"I said, we're leaving TOMORROW!"

Girl Two pulls an anxious face that begs "please" like a dog at a dinner table. "Sorry, we have no more," says the stallholder.

"God, I just can't believe these people," huffs Girl One as they turn their backs on the chimneys. I think something similar. I don't know how many times Prague has been invaded, but tonight it seems to have been invaded by wankers: British wankers, German wankers, North African wankers and American wankers.

A tourist in his early 20s is explaining to another tourist in her early 20s that he is not a tourist: he is a "traveller". They have a tourist map spread on the cafe table in front of them, by the English translation of the menu. He is saying that his experience is richer. He looks, smells and acts like a tourist. I don't get it. Because he stays in a hostel rather than a hotel, is the veritas more veritable? Or is he just a git?

I'm a tourist. I tour the world. I don't feel I have to excuse myself. The travelling bit is dull. In my mind, that is standing around baggage belts hoping that my case hasn't been lost again. Of course I'm a bloody tourist. I don't have the insider's perspective. I feel like a stranger everywhere I go. I like that perspective. In restaurants, I love to sit with my back to the wall so I can watch the other diners. You see what authors and film-makers attempt to capture, but in real time.

Just because you're a tourist, it doesn't mean you have to behave obnoxiously. If anything, you should behave better than you normally would. Two great British cliches are a) to presume that if you are in someone else's country you can do what the hell you like and b) that if you are in a band it's obligatory to behave like a boorish thug.

The festival site feels like an abandoned cosmonaut holiday camp. Loose tiles fall into the paddling pool. The rusted umpire's chair has toppled over by the overgrown tennis courts. In the murk of the surrounding forest are shadows of buildings that could have been dormitories or centrifugal test chambers. Tinny loudspeakers broadcast bloc versions of easy classics: the Cornetto tune, Edelweiss, the one about the meatball rolling down a hill, all with soft Czech vocals. There's a huge home-welded spit and brazier.

The fire has settled to steady embers and two men grunt as they lift a meat-covered pole on to a ratchet system connected to an old engine. The meat must weigh more than either of them. It looks incredible, like a medieval feast transported to the mid 20th-century. Ministry are setting up on stage one. A tech is erecting the skull-encrusted microphone stand. The Pet Shop Boys are setting up on stage two. They are working out how the dancers can burst from the neon-lit white cube. We're somewhere in the middle.

In two weeks we'll play the Reading and Leeds festivals: the climax of a year and a half of touring. It has been an intense adventure - crawling across the planet, performing to millions of people. Each night as I walk on to the dark stage, the white light of the strobes and the white noise of the crowd send a wave of adrenalin to my heart, setting off a vascular explosion that feels as if it could kill me.

The blood feels as if it'll burst from the fingertips as the arteries fling it through my flesh. Before my pick flicks the strings, my toes have already flipped me into the air, hovering over the boards in a fast-frame of anticipation.

It's time to stop. You can only play the same songs a certain number of times before you get bored. It's time to stop because it is still exciting. It's time to stop because I need to live somewhere that isn't a bus or a hotel room. It's time to stop touring, so it's time to stop writing about food. What I eat at home isn't interesting. It's the same as anyone else.

This is how it started

2007-03-30T22:14:00.000+02:00

In red the itinerary taken during the month and half travelling - conditions? no flights. In the end we took all means of transport on roads and rivers. In the next few days details will follow.

Just as an indication, destinations were:

- Nha Trang

- Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City

- My Tho, Can Tho and Chau Doc on the Mekong Delta

- Phnom Penh

- Senmonorom

- Kratie

- Siem Reap and Angkor Temples

- Battambang (don't miss this one!)

- Phnom Penh

- Sihanoukville (another one not to miss)

- Bangkok

Same time, same place.

still a little homesick

2007-03-30T22:05:00.000+02:00

my friends Hang, Quy (visit him at Baguette & Chocolat SaPa and you'll be given the warmest welcome), Violaine, Chi, Van, Nhung, Phuong, Phuong and Lan.

Salentu: lu sule, lu mare, lu ientu....vafammokk'

2007-03-30T10:21:00.000+02:00

translation for our foreign readers: "Salentwind: the sun, the sea, the wind....bless the heart and soul of that talented tour operator/local politician/folk singer who came up with this poetic little phrase"

My Sputnik Sweetheart

2007-03-29T11:35:00.000+02:00

Ok, decided it's useless to be shy about it, and that it's time to introduce you to my travelling companion, Liam.

Obviously, travelling companion is somewhat limitative to describe a veeeeeeery special person...but there you go.

Stole the title from a book by Haruki Murakami, which kept me entertained during the 22 hours train journey from Hanoi to Nha Trang - but I'll get to that when it's the right time.

What now?

2007-03-29T10:48:00.000+02:00

Ok, so the situation is the following. I left my work in the UK under pretences that it would be a one year sabbatical. The year expired last August, and I’m not too confident that they’re so desperate to want me back.
More than that, I think my life has now taken a completely different path, where, for as much as it could always be an option, going back now would simply not make any sense.

I see my professional and personal experience so far as a creative and positive lying of bricks, where all I have learned and seen will never be taken away from me.

Now the one thing that I can think of that would make sense for me to do, and that I am quite excited about, is to do a masters degree in something called “Intercultural Communications” in Cambridge. Yet another obsessions of mine, which I will not bore you with.
But that’s what I’m going to do.

I do, however, take this opportunity to ask for your (kind) advice on how to apply for funding for masters courses that are totally extortionate? What do to? Where to go? Etc etcet et.
For the best piece of advice, the price will be a signed picture of me scoffing that cheese sandwich I’ve been fantasising on all day today.

Before Europe, however, I will take the advantage of the time off to do all that I didn’t do during my time in Vietnam, and that is to travel. I am not doing this by myself, of course…. But I’m too shy to share this piece of information. South Vietnam, Cambodia and Bangkok are our next destinations. If I’m disciplined enough, you’ll have it all here.

I will keep you posted with all that happens, and this time I’m going to keep the promise!

So long, cheerio.

All my love to...

2007-03-29T10:09:00.000+02:00

Phuong - my close colleague and friend - she flew away to France last September to do a postgraduate course

Le Maketing - Van, Chi, Toan, Phuong, Phuong and Violaine.

Welfare staff at Hoa Sua

Huyen "la naive"

Chi Linh - a very special person

and, and, and....Chung, Nga, Nhung, Hung, Nguyen, and all at VSO; all the volunteers....so many people and all very very special to me in so many different ways. Thank you for making this year such a special year, and for giving me your time and your laughter. I will miss you all!

Getting soft again, better go now!

What I have left behind

2007-03-29T09:48:00.000+02:00

thought and written on 18th February

I’m writing this from a hotel room two weeks after the end of my placement, overdue post that I’ve been rehearsing in my head for a long long time. For as much as it has come later than I wanted, I am glad I waited. Now that I’m in Phnom Penh, and the two weeks travelling that I’ve done so far, have given me the chance to think through my year in Hanoi, at Hoa Sua and as a VSO volunteer.

The last month or so in Hanoi were not easy. Throughout the year I, like other people I’ve met in Vietnam, went through very intense highs and lows, more so than anywhere else I’ve ever lived. And yet, if that can make sense, these feelings kind of got together during my last few weeks in Hanoi. I was ecstatically happy for all that was to come with the end of my placement with VSO – the adrenaline rush that novelty and the unknown bring, as well, of course, the prospect of seeing my family, relatives and friends (and stuffing myself with cheese).

At the same time, I was struck by an unspeakable sadness to leave the place that has undoubtedly become my second home. For a little more spice, sprinkle that sense of duty that will not allow you to leave without thinking that a year is certainly not enough, and if you could only do an extra six months…But I knew that if I did decided to extend, that would probably have been the beginning of an endless request for extensions, and sometimes, when a chapter has to close, it has to close. I think I’m beginning to be clever at that.

So – conclusions on the experience? It was a spectacular year – without a doubt. It’s been the year that has given me the chance to learn so much about myself. I am working at the accepting part now. It’s also been the year in which I understood the real meaning of humbleness, determination, acceptance in situations where you have very little control over situations. In other words, I think Vietnam has taught me how to let go, with a smile.

I have left so many friends back in Hoa Sua – and to all of them I am grateful for giving me such a fabulous and rewarding time. Most of all, though, I have left my little sisters, Hieu and Nhung, and that hurts more than I ever imagined.

Hieu and Nhung are the girls with whom I’ve shared my days throughout the last 6 months. It’s certainly not been easy on them: not only did they have to put up with my crazy ideas on how we could improve communications, but most importantly, they had to learn what communications is, and does, and means, introduce it as a whole new concept to the entirety of Hoa Sua, and develop tools that would facilitate the whole process, whilst integrating in a new environment, and and and.. Pant pant…and they’re doing in it. They’re doing it. All by themselves.

I have to laugh now to how I kept panicking throughout my time in Hoa Sua, wondering what would be the impact of my presence there. And there’s a story that I like to tell:
One day, towards the end of one of our regular meetings I asked them: “What would you like me to focus on during these last few weeks?”
They looked at each other, exchanged a few words in Vietnamese, giggled and said: “We’d like you to teach us how to be positive like you”.

Pop!

We’ve come long way, through happiness, disappointment, hilarity, anger, and more, and we’ve taught each other and learned from each other – I am totally confident now that I don’t need to be here for them, because they will know how to develop what we started together.

What they don’t realise? Is that it’s them who’ve taught me the secret of being positive!

Allow me another anecdote to show something else that fills me with pride.
On my last day, as I was saying my goodbyes in my usual clumsy manner, one of the girls said to me: Patty, would it be ok if we keep asking for your help even when you’re home?
To which I replied: Of course, you can count on me, always.
And after a brief pause:
“Yes, thank you. But Patty, we want to be able to do this independently”.

At which point I had to kiss them goodbye and run away.

Here they are! Hieu on the left and Nhung on the right..

Intro

2007-03-29T09:28:00.000+02:00

You may have realised that I've not posted in a long time. I hope you didn't think that that was the end of my VSO experience, and that I was going to leave without saying goodbye?!?!

NO. Just went travelling and didn't always have internet access or inspiration.

Here follows (in the magic blogging world - upwards) an attempt to share the last two months.

Oooh, I also couldn't wait to post this picture - check out Mr Bush and Mr Putin loving their Ao Dais!!

this is what I'm soon going back to

2007-01-16T06:35:00.000+01:00

...and I can't wait!

missing all of you - including those I had no pics of!

new year, new audience in the neuron-free zone

2007-01-04T11:25:00.000+01:00

Liam drinking one of the two units of alcohol a day he limits himself to

Happy New Jear!!!

2007-01-01T08:44:00.000+01:00

So, goodbye to 2006 - what a sweet little year full of many amazing things. Welcome 2007, hoping it will be just as amazing and sweet. But maybe for other people as well as just myself...(don't say I'm selfish now).

So, pretty subdued, but happy new year's celebrations last night in Hanoi - spent with friends in Mao's Red Bar. Incidentally, I would like to use this opportunity to let you know that Mao's Red Bar is the coolest bar in Hanoi - if you're here at some stage do go for a drink in the super chilled, red-lit, happy Hanoian favourite on Ta Hien Street.
Owner is wonderful Mao, who will take you under his wing if you happen to stop over in Hanoi for a couple of days.

Happy days,
but most of all Happy New Year.

Hee-Lah-Ree! (-tee @ Xmas in Ha Noi)

2006-12-26T07:09:00.000+01:00

What's the intelligent expression on my face? What is Hee-Lah-Ree sneering at?
It's all a mystery - due to copious amounts of Bia Ha Noi on the 16 hour long train journey from Da Nang to Hanoi last June.

Happy memories of being let out of the compartment to buy more cans, talking shite, and leaning on my friend whilst she was defending my cause (probable story).

Don't know what I'm writing, it doesn't matter. It's Christmas after all...

2006 Christmas menu:
More Bia Ha Noi (bottled version)
some food
being reminded how beo (fat) I am becoming
buon dua le=bonsolee=gossip
massive hangover
work - pretending to
wine and more food
more wine
Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, Feliz Navidad, Prospero Ano y felicidad....on all the friggin time and me beginning to twitch every time I hear it.

A verry Mery Christ mas.

Con-d-om?

2006-12-15T07:30:00.000+01:00

Seen the title? I thought it would be a great idea for the VSO stand at the latest "For the Love of Life" event in Hanoi - an annual fair in which disability, HIV/AIDS and International Volunteers days are "celebrated" jointly on 3rd December for awareness-raising and generally to give us VSOs (and ok, other NGOs too) the chance to catch a cold.

So back to the title. Being responsible for the idea of the HIV/AIDS stand to promote condom-fitting training on different fruits and vegetables, I was looking for a name to attract the shy Vietnamese teenagers. So how about Con-D-Om?
Con= Children (as in kids but also sons and daughters)
D= go (the word is actually di)
Om= hug (it can be a meaningless hug - like on the Xe Om; or something else like Karaoke Om)

I thought it was a pretty amazingly creative idea, which, ok, admittedly would leave a lot of room for misunderstanding and disturbing thoughts. Hence it was not used.

This did not take away the coolness of the HIV AIDS stand though.
A basketful of carrots, cucumbers, corn on the cob, courgettes (I'm not convinced they were, but hey) and many many many condoms.

Stole the idea from the condom race that the Welfare staff at Hoa Sua get the new students to do during the HIV AIDS training, and it's granted to be loads of fun.

So anyway - tactic was, lure them in with a survey on knowledge on HIV/AIDS, and then catch them quickly for the condom fitting. Soon enough, the stand was surrounded by what seemed to be billions of people of all ages and backgrounds...

Before anyone actually grasped a cucumber and a condom, I would give a demonstration on how to fit one properly. Honestly, if I didn't know then, I certainly did after fitting an average of 10 condoms per hour. And you tell me if you can beat that. Ah ah.

Besides the joke, it was probably one of the most amazing things I ever did. After a while, many deaf people who would refuse to do it, hold a condom, or just take one, because they were too "stupid" to ever have sex, this guy came as enthusiastic as one can be. He is deaf himself and took over the show completely, showing people - whether young or old, with disabilities or not, how to answer the questionnaire, and how to fit a condom (we're still talking cucumbers and carrots here). It was a very powerful statement in Vietnam and I am proud to have witnessed it.

And then, here comes a little girl (LG), to whom I smile and start chatting:

LG: Have you got any Femidoms?

me: ehh, not yet, but we'll have them later

LG: What's your name?

me: my name is Patty! what's your name? (as i'm busily throwing used condoms in a plastic bag)

LG: (Can't remember). How many condoms do you use, Patty?

me: Eheh, not many, I'm afraid

LG: NO?!?!?

me: no...

LG: Are you pregnant?

me: no.

LG: Ah, but looking at you, I thought you were!

me: ehm, no.

LG: Are you married?

me: no.

LG: AH?! OH?!? UH?!?! (look of utter and complete disbelief and disgust) not married?!?!? How old are you?

me: 30! (ya little #@&%$&#?!?)

LG: But you're sooo old!!!

me: (clocking someone looking from afar) Helllooooo! Would you like to fill in a questionnaire?....

Photos: Mike's - one taken from the insides of Mr OK!

today

2006-12-14T13:01:00.000+01:00

Today it was a generally mind-blowing experience...noticed so many new things:

"Gloria, in excelsis deu" (hope it's spelt right) is now a dance remix song, which must be the Hanoian hit of the end of the year, as I heard it twice only today - once in the Pho place I had lunch in, and on my way to the bus stop
My bus, number 31, is the whackiest bus in Hanoi - before n.31 comes along, numbers 8 and 2 have been coming and going about a dozen of times each
My bus, number 31, is always mega crowded. Numbers 2 and 8 are constantly empty - but not number 31 - could it be a consequence of point 1?
My bus, number 31, attracts the most adventurous Hanoian bus drivers. If bus numbers 2 and 8 come in and go away nice and slowly, number 31 comes in and goes threatening to kill everyone, whether you're outside or inside the bus. Could it be a consequence of points 1+2?
Hence, my bus, number 31, is the whackiest bus in town.
My bus, number 31, in many occasions makes me happy. This morning I found a seat, and the radio played Franz Ferdinand and The Kaiser Chiefs.
Even Vietnamese mannequins can't button up Vietnamese jeans
I heard the sound of a (live) turkey today. I associated it to the sound I hear first thing in the morning. Funny how realisation comes just before Christmas.

Ladies and Gentlemen...

2006-11-29T15:43:00.000+01:00

These laser eyes belong to my guardian angel, Anne-Marie, and her two cats...

Post Bike Ride Update

2006-11-28T07:30:00.000+01:00

I CAN WALK - NO PAIN.

Just thought you may be interested.

Tschuess!!

A fortune teller once told me

2006-11-27T10:55:00.000+01:00

Now close your eyes and imagine you're reading this in June 2006, because what I'm writing goes back to that month.

During the VSO Annual Volunteer Conference in Hoi An, one of the many activities/trainings organised was a session with a Fortune Teller.

You see, here in Viet Nam, Fortune Telling is a very important job. They will be able to tell you when the auspicious date to fly out of the country is, when the best date to get married is, what year you should have babies in, and just about anything else that you may have slight control over.

Those who know me back home, also know, not only that I love and am totally fascinated by the supernatural powers of people with the 6th sense, but I actually do believe in it....but please, don't use this against me.

To start off with, I will have you know that I am a flying dragon...there's no better species to be and I'm going to be lucky and rich and beautiful for the rest of my life. mmmh.

So anyway, the fortune teller at Hoi An told me that:

I am romantic, kind hearted, hot tempered, my career will improve when I'm 35, until then it's deep shit, only earn enough to survive, but that's difficult because I like going out too much; will move home next year; will fall in love with a Vietnamese man, but he will not make me happy. I'll marry between 33-35 with someone from my home country (didn't have the heart to start arguing there) but abroad, I have a big black mole somewhere (and again, I would have loved to show her my spotted back - ok too much info there), people like me, I'm a loyal friend, people listen to me, even older people and I am independent.

Check out "A fortune teller once told me" (Tiziano Terzani), and tell me what it's like cos I haven't read it yet...ehehe.

Nowt to do with Fortune Telling, but I love this picture and it was taken by Anne Marie at the conference. Will tell you all about that another time.

Maaah Graaazieeehhh

2006-11-26T09:03:00.000+01:00

Hey, hey, hey…haven’t updated the blog properly for a lifetime, so here it goes again. The thinking process began (finally) yesterday at the back of my Xe Om, as I was heading to the meeting point for the KOTO bike ride….I have so much to tell about everything that’s been going on so far, so resolution is that from now on I will share just about everything and anything that’s been happening. I can feel vibes of relief in all of you back home..ehehe.

And what better way to do it if not the day after one of the most amazing days I’ve had so far?

So, THANK YOU KOTO, for organising a fantastic day out in the country side (even if this means a sore bum during and after – for how long?). THANK YOU Steve, for being such a great organiser, for actually fundraising for me, and THANK YOU VSO for agreeing in paying up..
Deal was, get up incredibly early on a Saturday morning, to get on a bike to ride 80 km from Hanoi to Ba Vi – in principle all super mega ueber wrong things for me, really…but I got up unexpectedly enthusiastic about the whole thing, took a Xe Om, made my resolutions about the blog, met up with Mike, headed to the chilled out bike ride, crossed amazing landscapes, villages, super smiley people, kids shouting Helloooooo, holding out their hands for cheery hi fives (which caused a slight collision with Mike – and thank you Mike for preventing me going face on the ground), stopping for a Hanoi beer out of Hanoi, getting a elbow-to-hand and full face sun burn, and….being the very last rider of the KOTO bike ride challenge.

Half way through (so to say) we had fine break near a beautiful pagoda, where I managed to scoff as many delicious KOTO muffins as I could – THANK YOU Martin for being such an amazing cooking teacher! Apple, Mango and Papaya muffins..mmmhhh.

with Steve and Martin - holding me upright

It was a real success, and for Steve, his last KOTO event as a VSO volunteer – well done. As for me, I managed to crawl home, have some dinner before collapsing – and today, I can move!? Some people say it’s only for today and I will be paralysed in the next few days, unless I do some sports today… You’ll be shocked to hear that I am NOT going to do any of that today. There.

Mike - brilliant team mate!

Visit: www.ourmaninhanoi.com

www.kotobikeride.com

hello

2006-11-17T08:36:00.000+01:00

don't ask me...I don't know what I'm doing. In about 4 hours the Japanese First Lady will come to visit Cafe Smile, there's about five million things to do, and here I am updating my blog.

Well, firstly, I wish to apologise ...in fact, i have to go.

I'm alive though.

muac

Thay Hung

2006-11-03T06:28:00.000+01:00

Thay Hung is our Vietnamese language teacher, a wonderful man who's lead us into the magic maze of the Northern Vietnamese language and culture since the day we arrived (and the following 5 weeks in In Country Training - the picture above was taken during one of those lessons).
Thay Hung is one of my favourite men in Vietnam. This is not only because he thinks I am very beautiful and young, and approves of my smoking and liking to go out a lot. I like Thay Hung because he's the most wonderful gossip in the world...

The set up is that VSO house number one (Ruth and I) have a 2 hours lesson every Monday evening. This is where Thay Hung collects the information on VSO house number 2 (Mike, Marvin, Derek - and lesson guests Richard, Catherine and Alice):
- Are they married?
- Have they got children?
- Where are they from?
- Are they in love?

All for the sake of language practise, of course...as Thay Hung reiterates "I don't care if you don't tell me the truth, it's just to get used to the structure of the sentence"
So one evening Thay Hung taught us the word for "attractive" (which, of course, I do not remember for the life of me) with the following question:
TH - Em Patty, who do you think is the most attractive at VSO?
EP - mmmh, let me think. ehhh. I think everyone is attractive at VSO. (I know the score now, there's no fooling me! ...I think)
TH - Ok, so do you think that Anh Marvin is attractive?
EP - Yes, I think Anh Marvin is attractive
TH - Do you think Anh Derek is attractive?
EP - Thay Hung? I thought I could call Derek "Chu"
TH - That's not important. Do you think that Anh Derek is attractive?
EP - Yes, I do. I think all the men in VSO house 2 are attractive.

So this happened some weeks ago. Then I get an email from one of the VSO House n 2 yesterday, saying "We know that you think that Marvin is the most handsome of the VSO house n 2 - when we told Thay Hung it would be an idea to maybe send an email to your boyfriend, he responded: oh no! she said that before they got together!" (which is, obviously a lie...)

Viva Thay Hung. I love him to bits.

live from Hanoi...

2006-09-29T04:30:00.000+02:00

Hello everyone,
you'll never believe what I just saw, just about 2 minutes ago!!!
To set the scene: it's 9.25 am, I'm home (on holiday!!), in my room, checking my emails, and sipping coffee.

Friggin' dogs downstairs in the neighbour's courtyard are barking as per usual...until the barking becomes a strange noise, too hard to describe. Which is why I looked out of my window and a man was pushing the fluffy dog - ok looked scabby and scary, especially when it charges towards you when all you want to do is open your gate - in a small cage at the back of his motorbike.

Then the man proceeded in taking his wallet out and pay our Man Bac An 70.000VND and go away.

Now ok, the four of us in the house have not been very generous towards these dogs, more than once we wished that someone would buy them to put them on a grill. But did it really have to happen?

Then again, annoying bastards never failed to scare the shit out of us...so....

MOVING swiftly on, seen that I'm at it, I might as well tell you that I'm on holiday because my friend Kate is coming all the way from the UK to see me!!! I'm deliriously happy, it's the first real friend who comes to visit - had others but before they arrived they were friends' friends, and then also became my friends, but you see how special this is, right?

So, I'm incredibly happy. But that's only one side of the story, because I am also incredibly sad - I thought that the super highs and super lows that one gets in Vietnam would occurr separately, in fact mine now it's an emotional rollercoaster because it's now my turn to see people leaving.

I remember, and I always refer to it, when I first talked to Our Man in Hanoi www.ourmaninhanoi.com (sorry, can't be bothered doing the linking bit in a swish way!) probably at a difficult time for him, when some of his closest friends were leaving, when he said how tiresome it was to get close to someone, and then see them go, and that it all seemed to happen at the same time, then you think to yourself "I'm never going to let anybody else be that close to me!" but we start all over again. (OMIH, taking a lot of poetic license, as you can see..)

And this is it. In the space of one week, three of the most important people in my life in Hanoi have left/are about to leave (today!): my housemate, best friend, colleague (and much more...), Liam has gone back to the UK; my closest colleague and friend Phuong, gone to study in France for a year; and Hilary, my friend and person I admire the most, is leaving today.

But you see, now, back to what OMIH was saying as well, Hanoi is like that. Now besides the people I've just mentioned, who came here on a temporary basis - with the exeption of Phuong, who has been given an excellent opportunity - the cycle of life in Hanoi for people who aren't sure whether they should stay or go seems to be 3 years at the most. And you, newly arrived, get the feeling that you got here right at the end of those 3 years, and as you introduce yourself, you're saying goodbye.

Ohhh, sorry, don't think I'm making much sense now.

Now I'll just enjoy the peace of one less barking sound.

mio cugggino, yeah

2006-09-20T05:04:00.000+02:00

Giuseppe Congedo
Stato civile: celibe. Altezza: 186 cm. Peso: 76 kg. Occhi: verdi. Capelli: biondi. Segni particolari: nu personagg'.
Studi effettuati: maturità scientifica. Laurea in fisica (triennale), si sta specializzando in Astrofisica.
Lavoro: studente.Hobby e Sport: leggere libri e riviste divulgative di fisica, romanzi dell'ottocento e di fantascienza.
Gli piace ascoltare musica (reggae, blues e country), viaggiare, giocare a scacchi e a ping pong. Ama il mare e passeggiare in campagna.
La passione per la fisica gli è nata da bambino: "Dicevo sempre a mio padre che volevo diventare uno scienziato. Col passare degli anni mi sono appassionato a guardare le stelle e gli eventi naturali come le eclissi". Giuseppe sogna di diventare un ricercatore. E' stato due settimane in Texas per seguire un corso sulle onde gravitazionali. Su questo argomento ha scritto anche qualche articolo per riviste specializzate. E' molto timido. Si sente a suo agio solo con la sua famiglia e con gli amici di vecchia data. Non ha mai avuto una ragazza: "Sono molto rigoroso, cerco la ragazza perfetta sotto tutti i punti di vista e questo mi porta a escludere molte situazioni. Difficilmente mi faccio avanti". La sua donna ideale deve essere "curiosa" e deve saper "dialogare". Ha dato il primo bacio, per scherzo, a 16 anni. La prima volta, invece, a 18 anni: "Ma ero mezzo ubriaco". E' in attesa del "bacio dell'innamorato, quello 'serio' e non fine a se stesso". Non fa niente per tenersi in forma e non sta neanche troppo attento al look: "non mi interessa". Gli piace uscire con gli amici e andare alle sagre di paese. In discoteca è stato una sola volta nel Salento e un paio di volte all'estero."

uffa

2006-08-16T07:54:00.000+02:00

very annoying that I'm desperately trying to post pictures of different things and I can't. uffa.

News news news

2006-08-09T05:45:00.000+02:00

Fee-paying training at Hoa Sua
It is official: Hoa Sua is about to open up a fee-paying branch of the school, and on Friday Mme Vy, director, explained to the partners present at the conference:
This new promotion, which will start in October, is being developed exclusively in order to carry out the work that Hoa Sua has been doing for the last 11 years, and that is to empower disadvantaged youth by providing them with high quality hospitality training.
This was not an easy decision to make. It has been a while now that the Hanoi Department of Education has started putting pressure on Hoa Sua to recruit a minimum of 500 management students per year, in order to keep the status as Professional Training School for Tourism.
Moreover, the most pressing issue is a financial one: the training restaurants and shops are simply not enough for Hoa Sua to be self sustainable, and we cannot always depend on our donors. A fee-paying training will enable to guarantee the resources that the charity – that will remain the heart of the school - needs.
But we also see a great advantage in introducing young people who come from privileged circumstances to the Hoa Sua community will create a real inclusive environment for the exchange of life experiences, knowledge and skills, whereby everyone has something to give and learn at the same time.
It was a difficult subject to be open about - Hoa Sua has been suffering from lack of trust in and around Hanoi - whether that was by the general public or even partner organisations (such as NGOs) - and in a way, in the school everyone thought that this would be just a confirmation of doubts. In reality, the reaction shown by the partners and journalists present during the conference was outstanding: everyone supported the idea that Hoa Sua should break away from its constant financial dependence and crisis, and a fee-paying branch only seems to be the most logical and realistic solution.
"By the way", Mme Vy says at the conference "we have a problem with the lease of the venue for Baguette & Chocolat at Cha Ca - Old Quarter. Does anyone know somewhere we could transfer the restaurant?"
(this is where I started getting all emotional...trust me, it wasn't the new shoes that brought tears to my eyes)
"We at the Red Cross have a 7 storey building in the centre of Hanoi, we could give you one floor for Baguette & Chocolat...and maybe we could invite the music group formed by people living with HIV and AIDS to play at the opening...or maybe we could organise some training for people living with HIV & AIDS..."
UNV representative holds up her hand: "we have so many resources to train in HIV & AIDS that we would be more than happy to provide to Hoa Sua"...
That's when it all started...it was like being at an auction - fantastic how transparency can award you...
New Cafe Smile: the stylish restaurant-cafe-French bakery
Second main piece of news that the conference was organised for is the opening of Cafe Smile on 5 Van Mieu Street, Hanoi.
Cafe Smile is a restaurant-café-French bakery that will be opened on 16th August 2006 as part of the Hoa Sua School training restaurants system. Café Smile is the result of the cooperation between Hoa Sua School and the Japanese NGO “Smile for Kids”.
The mission of Smile for Kids is to empower disadvantaged young people in developing coutries. In Vietnam, Smile for Kids focuses on establishing partnerships with humanitarian organisations working with disadvantaged youth.
As one of the school’s training restaurants, Café Smile will:
- Be the place where the trainees will be able to practise on their professional and managerial skills
- Give the trainees the opportunity to get in touch with the professional environment in the most authentic and dynamic way during their training. Hence, the students will already have had an extensive experience after graduating from the school
- Assess the quality and the effectiveness of the training in a real professional environment to continuously improve the training programme based on the needs of the field
- Contribute financially to the school’s free training
100% of the trainees in Management will be able to practise in Café Smile.
The menu at Café Smile will be listing the best products made by the trainees, a vast choice of drinks, European dishes and authentic Asian set menus.
Today, 9th August, one corner of the restaurant opened to offer a few snacks: Pho Bo, Spaghetti and Crepes. Guess what I had?

Projet Pouss-Pouss

2006-07-25T08:39:00.000+02:00

Jocelyn and Timmy, from France and Luxemburg, are currently in Hanoi to explore development projects both in the developed and developing countries.

Visit their blog http://natetjoce.blogspot.com/

it's well worth it!

The beach

2006-07-20T08:33:00.000+02:00

A few weeks ago we went to Do Son, the nearest beach to Hanoi (about 100km away) to say goodbye to Violaine - pictures are better than a billion words!

buying seafood

la vita e' bella...!

2006-07-13T11:32:00.000+02:00

what really happened

Intermezzo - Interlude

2006-07-07T12:09:00.000+02:00

Enjoy the latest Vietnamese fashion whilst I get my act together and write what I've been up to for the past 4 weeks (and it's a lot...).

Both gloves and mask are worn by most women here in Vietnam in order to avoid a tan, because here white is beautiful.

Is somebody trying to take the piss?

2006-06-09T03:37:00.000+02:00

how to save the world in ten minutes

2006-06-08T13:12:00.000+02:00

People,
I have to share this with you. I AM REALLY FRUSTRATED. I am frustrated because I came out here in Vietnam with a little mantra in my ear "VSO, Sharing skills, Changing Lives"....well, 3 months in my job, I can honestly say that the people who are doing voluntary work are my colleagues at Hoa Sua and certainly not me.

I am frustrated because I'm here to work in Communications and I can't speak the language. Therefore I do 4 hours a week of Vietnamese language lessons, and I still sit still when in the car with the school's driver without saying a word, for fear of not understanding.

I am frustrated because I suffer the heat, and I get all nervous when we get power cuts because that means that the fans won't work.

I am frustrated because when I first came here I thought that it would be very easy to fall into the expat type of life, nice cafe's and nice restaurants, and I thought how I really really really did not want to do that. Going to be enjoying a lovely drink in Half Man Half Noodle tonight, maybe after a nice beer in Le Pub.

People keep saying that it's far too early to judge your placement and the effect that your work has in an organisation, and amongst people. But so far, I can see myself only taking and I really don't know how to give.
I thought I'd be less spoilt.

10 things you should know about Hoa Sua

2006-06-06T13:15:00.000+02:00

1. Hoa Sua is a 100% Vietnamese organisation. All its staff are Vietnamese, except for us volunteers.

2. When you come to the Hoa Sua restaurant, or to any other training cafes or shops, everything that you see (or eat!) has been made by the students, as part of their training. So your wonderful cakes and breads in Croissant (35 Quang Trung) or Baguette & Chocolat (11b Cha Ca), the food in Hoa Sua (28a Ha Hoi), the clothes in the Sewing and Embroidery shop, appropriately called "Chef Collection" (21d Ha Hoi) are all made by the trainees. Not only that! All the uniforms that the table service trainees wear, all the napkins, tablecloths, curtains that you see in any of these places have all been designed, tailored and embroidered by the trainees of the Sewing and Embroidery class.

3. The shop assistants are not trainees.

4. Hoa Sua provides free training, food and board to all trainees.

5. All the training restaurants and shops, as well as some of the buildings that form the Training Centre in Linh Nam have only been possible thanks to International donors (ranging from NGOs to Embassies).

6. All the trainees find a job. Hoa Sua makes sure they are placed appropriately.

7. The revenues from the little businesses (shops, cafes, restaurants) are directly re-invested in the running of the school. There is no profit...

8. ...In fact, there's loss. Hoa Sua is in a constant financial crisis.

9. There is a Baguette and Chocolat, cafe and mini hotel in Sa Pa (Northern Vietnam), which trains young people of ethnic minority communities.

10. All the staff here are COMPLETELY dedicated to the mission of the school. They are all highly educated, capable and enthusiastic young people who love their work!

And this is to them, because they're part of what makes Hoa Sua such a great place to be at.

A couple of pictures of our day out on Sunday!

If you'd like more information about Hoa Sua, Contact me!

I'm so excited!

2006-05-29T06:35:00.000+02:00

Well, considering that I've managed to bore everyone senseless on the subject during the past 2 days, I might as well do it with my blog audience.
Got really really excited about a piece of news that I got by just surfing the net, and ending up at the Italian Embassy in Hanoi website. In amongst the "events" the one that caught my attention was a ballet performance/show/...(however these things are called) performed by a group called "Balletto del Sud". Look into it closer and who is it sponsored by? Regione Puglia, Provincia di Lecce.....well...how could I not get excited?!?! even if it's something that I've never really had a passion for, ballet, it's still cool to be on the other side of the world and find that a piece of home is coming to you.
There's that and there's also half of the realisation that dreams may come true, and whether it's destiny, coincidence or just pure suggestion of my part I don't know....What am I on about? a project, something that before I came to Vietnam I started working on, and then lost all hope for....

http://www.ambhanoi.esteri.it/Ambasciata_Hanoi/Archivio_News/duegiugno.htm

back to it, it's on 2nd June, at the Hanoi Opera House and it's free (apparently)!

We had our first party at the house this weekend, it was cool, loads of people came, so other source of excitment for me was being able to talk to loads of people I hadn't had the chance to chat to.

let's talk about sex

2006-05-25T08:36:00.000+02:00

Let's be honest, everyone loves to talk about sex, and for as much as one culture may be more conservative than another one, the ways are infinite. And in Vietnam, like everywhere else, it's the favourite subject of conversation at all times.
I wrote before about the first three questions you get asked when you meet someone:

What's your name?
How old are you?
Are you married?

Of course, if they're talking to me, my negative response at the last question causes looks of bewilderment..."Why??" - and me, laughing "I'm too young!". And everyone in chorus: UAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH.
Sometimes it does stop there, but other times it doesn't, so I really really need to find another anwer.

Marriage and family are very important values in Vietnam, and an unmarried young woman in her late 20s early 30s must have something seriously wrong with her.

But let's get back to sex:
In work, however, my colleagues (all girls aged between 24 to 29) are mostly single and like it that way. But the Ban Trai (boyfriend) subject never fails to prop up when you least expect it (ie always). So, after the first few days when they were desperately trying to set me up with all sorts, whether Vietnamese or other - at one point I feared they were going to mention Jesus Christ - I decided to say that I have 3 boyfriends to start off with, that now have become 5 (alla Foggiana maniera, seeeee ne teng' 10...per chiarire). The reactions are fantastic, a real treat, not because they believe any of it, of course, even when I show my generosity and offer to lend them one...

I love this place!

soooo VIP dahhhhling...

2006-05-18T06:32:00.000+02:00

foggian dreams

2006-05-17T10:22:00.000+02:00

Special Guests: Falenza la pizzaioula, Giuseppe dreadzman (dream 1)
Cate, Tonuzzo e gente sconosciuta ma nota (dream 2)

Non so cosa mi stia succedendo, ma da quando sono partita per Hanoi, Foggia is always in my drimsssssss....dalla citta' stessa (sogni che abbia la stessa movida hanoiana, ma con tocco di classe, all'angolo di via Telesforo, li' dove c'e' aaaa desparrrr), o di gente foggiana.

Ripetuti sogni di falenza la pizzaioula in compagnia di Giuseppe - l'altra notte mi mostravate la foto dei vostri cani: falenza con un labrador civilissimo, che faceva un tete a tete con il cane di Giuseppe....il Piccolo Aiutante di Babbo Natale! spettacolarissimo!

Sogno di ieri notte, aka Dream 2, i tre dell'apocalisse, e ciue' io, tonuzzo and cate andiamo ad un matrimonio a casa di un mio compagno delle medie che i miei neuroni avevano rimosso tanti anni fa, quando il livello di sviluppo celebrale era ancora in attivo, ossia Nicoula P.

questo post lo dedico alla citta' del mio cuore, Foggia, sperando che possa sognare d'altro....

Attenzioune Attenzioune, colgo l'occasione per nominare l'innominabile, parlare dell'impossibile, ma se vi trovate nei pressi di questo paradiso terrestre, DOVETE PER FORZA andare alla pizzeria C'est si bon in piazzetta, u si capisciut'? sarete accolti cosi'...

come resistere???

alive and kicking...myself!

2006-05-15T08:29:00.000+02:00

something will be written here soon.

not felt like writing for many reasons, or many excuses, ie it was too hot, too late, too early, I was too lazy, too buzy...but reality is, I stopped seeing the majeek for a little while, got distracted whilst a lot of it was happening.
my head's popping out of my arse slowly but surely and soon you'll be invited to the party with the two neurons.

till then, ciao ciao

I do work! honest...

2006-04-27T13:30:00.000+02:00

...and this is where...

Hoa Sua is an incredible project. It started 11 years ago, initially as a past time for a few Vietnamese teachers who had just retired and thought they would pass on their passion for cooking to a group of street children. Slowly but surely the school grew, and it is now a very successful hospitality/catering/embroidery school that provides completely free training and a home to some 400 disadvantaged young people every year.

The trainees at the school come from all over Vietnam and from different circumstances: orphans, street children, children who come from extremely poor families, disabled kids - deaf or hearing impaired,...

The training ranges from practical to theoretical, and the team have implemented an impressively successful system to provide training to the kids and, concurrently, to allow a certain degree of self funding, by opening a training restaurant, a bakery, a cafe, and a tailor/emobroidery shop (in Hanoi) and a little hotel and cafe in Sa Pa - North of Vietnam.

And the quality of the food and atmosphere at the cafes and restaurant are excellent...so if you do get the chance to travel to Vietnam (and as far as my friends are concerned, ye will, ye will, ye will) follow the link on the right handside here and go and see for yourselves!

And you should see the students, that twinkle in their eye, those smiles... It is so magic to be here, and to be part of this...I'm looking forward to all that is to come.

- the girls and boy from the tailoring and embroidery class

Was ist das?!!?!? 'tis a D-O-G

2006-04-24T12:43:00.000+02:00

a smart man in a suit parks his motorbike, phones his friend and says: guess what? there's a dog on a spitroast and two foreigners staring at it, giggling and taking pictures...bizarre, hey? anyway, fancy a bit of tale?

uahhahhahhahha, having a Beavis & Butthead moment....

mmmh, yes. bye.

what a week!

2006-04-22T11:15:00.000+02:00

What a week people!
let's start with order.

Monday
Very slow start, the weather nice and cool, had a quiet day in the office, and at night a nice take away party with my house mates...

Tuesday
This was the day when it all happened...In the morning I went to my first Vietnamese wedding...unfortunately that was the day I forgot my camera....typical organised me!
It was one of my new colleagues' big day. Before I went, I was told by my friends that when invited to a wedding you need to put some money in an envelope, which was great, only I forgot to ask what type of envelope that should be? and worried that I'd make a faux pas I got a nice Vietnamese card (in an envelope) and brought it in, only to find that an AIR MAIL postal envelope would do...och well, you live you learn...
Got there with my colleagues, and we were greeted by the groom, who proceeded in explaining how a traditional Vietnamese wedding works.
It starts all off at a fortune teller, who by looking at the bride and groom's birth dates, not only would predict how the marriage will be, but will also advise them on the lucky date. So Quang, whose family is building a beautiful house in the outskirts of the city, organised the wedding on THE date, even though he would have been happier to wait till the house was finished. But he was happy.
The bride wasn't there, she was waiting for the groom to go to her house in the afternoon, when he would ask her father for her hand, would go to her room, and he would take her to his family home. In the meantime, people have come and gone from the grooms family house, where beautiful food is laid out. They would eat, congratulate the groom's family, give their envelopes and then leave. Apparently only the closest family and friends wait for the bride and groom to arrive to the house and then party on with music and drink.
The newly-weds will live with the groom's parents, because it is the duty of the eldest son to take care of his parents.

Then at night I went to the Opera house and for the first time in my life I saw a violin concert...Tang Yun is a Chinese 16 year old amazingly (here's that word again) talented violinist, who also played in the film "Together"...if you get the chance, do watch it.

Wednesday

Wikipedia writes

Today the X National Congress of the Communist party of Vietnam is gathering to discuss the direction of the Party for the next five years, as well as elect a new Central Committee. It is a major occurrence and Hanoi has been preparing for a long time now. The city is dressed up in reds and golds, there doesn't seem to be one single corner that doesn't have at least the national flag hanging from a window.

Thursday..... mmh, can't remember....

Friday
Today it's Hoa Sua's 11th Birthday...what a great day! A great party for everyone, teacher's, students, volunteers and everyone who is part of this wonderful organisation.

I'm bored with writing now! ehe hehh. sorry!
love to everyone....mmmmmmmmmmmmuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuacccccccccc

half full...half empty??

2006-04-17T13:07:00.000+02:00

Patty's lesson of the week:

Just make sure you drink it! (and keep smiling!)

patty oi!!!

2006-04-05T15:24:00.000+02:00

It's me!
so much has happened since I last posted! Moved to the new house...here it is:

and I'm sharing with the most wonderful people, Ruth and Mary....Mary who you've seen in the previous post, and this is Ruth:

Ruth, by the way, knows my Uncle Brian in Wales...which is just amazing (Brian, email will soon follow!). As you can see, we're well into the whole Vietnamese thing...
So anyway, also started work this week, which is amazing (especially after 8 months of sweet nothingness...), but what is amazing is the welcoming I got there, and the general atmosphere at Hoa Sua (please check website on links here on the right).
I'm not being very eloquent, so I'll carry on with pictures...
this is my desk (please note all the lovely things that are on it...)

and this is my lovely colleague Phuong:

and what else? well, only third day in the office and so far so good. Only 5 days in the house and couldn't be better (especially this morning when I came down the stairs to the kitchen and found Ruth and Mary there, and the table all set for breakfast...that means coffee being ready too!). Looking forward to Liam and Keith moving in on Monday...bunch of good lads and life just couldn't get any better....I mean only a couple of minutes ago they had The Clash playing London Calling!

2006-04-01T13:18:00.000+02:00

Pho Bo rules!

2006-03-30T16:57:00.000+02:00

Oh, this is the end of the Orientation month...and to celebrate it, as part of our language class, we had a cookery lesson. Here in the picture you can see one of our teachers, Co Thu and my friend Mary with a scary knife in her hands. Here we were supposedly learning to make Pho Bo, of which I had three bowls...mmmh DELICIOUS!!!!
Not very inspired today, sorry.
Miss you all, as always.

cheers nic!

2006-03-29T14:48:00.000+02:00

I wish....

2006-03-27T11:12:00.000+02:00

I wish I could capture the happiness of Hanoi people...

mammmaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh

2006-03-26T11:36:00.000+02:00

This is a quite afternoon at the scariest junction near where we're staying in the Old Quarter...view from the safe cafe up on the fourth floor of a high building.

My friends couldn't believe it when I was screaming "Mammmmmmaaaaa!" as we were crossing the roads...an Italian, scared by the traffic?

Happy 1st month in Ha Noi!

2006-03-24T11:13:00.000+01:00

Today we're celebrating our first month in Ha Noi, and as part of our language training we went to a park which is now called Union Park, but known to all as Lenin Park in order to practise our (very limited and extremely amusing) Vietnamese....basically we were to stop random people and find out stuff about them...I stopped these lovely three ladies, who were dead keen to let me know everything I wanted, trouble was, I couldn't understand a thing, so it was general laughter all the way, and when I got back to report on my findings, I just resolved in making up a story for each of them.

Co Thu (our teacher) was well impressed, and as a reward to our efforts, she took us to buy material to get some clothes made, and after that we went to have Bun Cha:

it was well exciting! we had it at one of these street eating places, there where only Vietnamese people go and squat or sit on the tiniest stools ever....it was something that I was desperate to do, so I was well vui! (oops sorry, can't help speaking the lingo!)

On a less happy note, we went to visit another VSO volunteer, who's not very well...but that's another story.

mmmh, back to food and drink, this is currently my addiction and it's called Pho Bo:

and this...

is it dinner time yet?
ooh, what a great way to end my posting...Franz Ferdinand. Life couldn't be better!

a few initial pictures

2006-03-22T13:17:00.000+01:00

Photos of traffic and more will come soon!
love to all

happy s patrick's day!!!

2006-03-19T11:52:00.000+01:00

I have sooo much to tell you! but before I do, I think I need to explain myself a little better as I don't think the message came across as I wanted it to (although I begin to think that never actually happened, and now I'm just going to carry on digging....euh). So yeah, basically the fact that they don't particularly like confrontations over here, doesn't necessarily mean that it's wrong because it's different from what we do, and secondly, people don't ignore accidents, on the contrary, they deal with them in a very silent and respectful way, the reason why the traffic carries on is because there's billions of vehicles going at the same time on exactly the same spot, so they wouldn't know. But I promise I will post pictures..in fact, I'm really excited cos I've started talking to the people in the computer shop just downstairs from our language class about a WiFi card for my computer.
DUring language I can't help fantasising about sitting in cool Puku cafe with my laptop and just generally look cool.
anyway, moving swiftly on, happy s. patrick's day to all the beer drinkers in the world! I certainly missed the celebrations Welsh and Munich style, but we had a great one over here too!
Dee, who is the only Irish in our group, got invited by the Irish embassy to an informal S Paddy's celebration in the Hotel Hilton - we tagged along, as you do, and met loads of really nice people, drunk guinness and raided the buffet.
it's hot and clammy and my fingers are sticking to the keyboard, so I'll better go!
kisses to all muac muac (stop pulling that face)

same same but different...

2006-03-15T15:08:00.000+01:00

och here I am again, a bit more alive than last time, with still loads to write, and still totally uncapable of doing it the right way...ie that everyone can understand without getting into my psyche.
At 6.30 this morning we all (in the hotel) got woken up by loud yelling coming from outside, it lasted 30 minutes or so, and after a wee snooze at the end of it, I was due to get up anyway and that was that.
Anyone who knows me, knows that I do not appreciate getting woken up by yelling...in fact I don't like getting up at all, so if that had happened at home, I would have yelled something back and that would have been the start to a very very very bad day.
well, in Hanoi this early morning yelling did not have the same effect on me...it was so surprising to hear somebody actually getting angry at something, that I wished I understood what he was saying.
Confrontation is not part of this culture (Vietnamese, Asian....?? don't know) and to be confronted in any way and under all circumstances may cause loss of face. I think I have experienced a loss of face situation, and it's not a nice thing.
which is why, the one thing I keep banging on about, ie the traffic in Hanoi, still doesn't cause any road rage, and everyone keeps honking horns and smiling at each other, despite seriously risking their lives.
each one of us new volunteers saw an accident during these two weeks, from mild to almost serious serious, and the reaction was always the same: a big crowd gathering around the wounded, the person being taken away, and everything going back to normal.
Osie, just to let you know that I think and talk about you all the time, cos the "same same but different" thing now makes total sense.
cheerio

Who's for karaoke?

2006-03-12T12:09:00.000+01:00

what a week! certainly a lot less happening in terms of drinking at night (although I can't do without a Ha Noi beer a day, keeps the doctor away) and just general late nights, but very intense as far as language teaching and general exploration of the city, the culture and a bit of history.
but the best was the get together at the karaoke on saturday night, which was already the second time....and would you believe, I actually sang!!! obviously I managed to stay away from the microphone, much to my friends' disappointment, but what they don't realise is that I was trying to save them from the risk of losing their hearing...anyway, no doubt one day it'll happen and then I will be denied getting even close the mic.
then had the most amazing day yesterday staying with a Vietnamese family, who cooked the lovely Pho Bo (noodle soup with beef) and I helped in the making, and most of all eating, of Nem (Vietnamese springrolls). The two girls, nicknamed Tom and Jerry, are the best, the funniest girls (8 and 5 year-olds), and I had the best laugh with them...
I can't wait to get to use my own pc so that I can post some pictures....no doubt that will happen soon. In fact, we have another two weeks training and then real life will begin.
TO be honest, I can't wait for that to happen, as, for as much as this is a very nice holiday, and an excellent preparation to life over here, I do feel that we tend to go back to find our comfort zone and get exposed to very little real Vietnamese lifestyle. But maybe it's just me? mmh, don't know.
I feel (very soft now!) very lucky to having been placed here in Hanoi, as there is a large support network amongst VSO office and volunteers...possibly a good introduction to social work? who knows, I'll keep you posted.
I'd like to apologise to all of you for being so crap at keeping in touch, I hope that I'll be able to catch up with youse properly once I settle in!
Missing you all loads (even if it's just on skype or msn messenger).
buaaahahhhahhhh

2006-03-06T11:05:00.000+01:00

Hi everyone again,
so here we are, last friday we celebrated our first week in Hanoi, and things are getting better every day.
When I first read about Viet Nam and about the culture back home, I was surprised (to say the least) by the notion of the Vietnamese being very curious about just about everything, especially about what most Westners view as the most intimate details of one's life, such as age, whether one is married, why aren't they married, and so on...
It took me a week (I know, the neurons were busy studying japanese instead) to get a fairly clear picture of what is really going on. There are about 10 ways of saying hallo to someone in Viet Nam, this depends on the gender and the age of the person you're saying hello to in relation to yourself: not only that, these are all family relations: "em" as in you "little sister" or "anh" as you "little brother" and so on. They are generally curious, but most of all the most sociable and friendly people, because everything happens in and with the community....they need to know everything about you because you are part of that community and will (eventually/hopefully) be seen as part of the family.
We had the opportunity today to listen to a very famous and incredibly charismatic Vietnamese writer today, who summarised in one hour the entire Vietnamese history and the context we are about to get involved in. One point that struck me was how the new "open door policy" (open to foreign markets, etc) was indeed very good for the country's economy, but it is also starting to instill the Western Individualistic philosophy against the Asian Collectivistic "Never alone in your thinking"...a lot of food for thought, but I kinda get the feeling my neurons will go on strike soon, so goodbye, and thanks for your patience as always!

xin chao everyone!

2006-03-02T06:48:00.000+01:00

Wow! this is my first post from Hanoi, and there's so many stories to tell...!
first of all,things could not be any better! the group I've arrived in Viet Nam with, and with whom I'm sharing the five weeks in country training are just fantastic! We had the most amazing welcoming over here, from the VSO staff and the local people in general. Hanoi is such a beautiful city and every time we walk places there's always more to discover, whether it's to do with what people do in the streets (erm...an awful lot to say the least!), or generally discovering the city's hidden corners and everything that comes with it. Oh, and there's a massive sense of achievement when you get back home safe and sound at night (albeit with no voice) after having crossed the roads....soon I'll post some pictures so that you get an idea.
so, apart from the typical touristy things that one does, we've started Vietnamese language courses....mmh, yeah....exactement my friend. a bit of a nightmare, but certainly a challenge worth taking on! and as far as I'm concerned, I managed to adapt my tastebuds to the Ha Noi beer flavours from the very first night!
I am thoroughly enjoying this experience, and can't wait to start work in 4 weeks time...
sorry for the bland post people, but it's just so that you know that I am well, and everything's going better than ever expected!
so long...i'll post again when the internet is free and the keyboard easy.
miss you all loads!!

emotional farewell to my friends and family

2006-02-21T19:11:00.001+01:00

Uuuaaahhhhaaahhhhhha!

2006-02-20T09:16:00.000+01:00

So everyone, how have you been keeping these days? sorry for keeping you wondering where I was and what I was doing, but you know I'm a busy one (not telling you what) and things have slowly started getting more hectic by the minute.
Interviews, shopping, general panicking, packing (?) and trying to watch as much trash tv as possible - taking it all in, as you do, before I get in the "Mai dire Banzaiiii" trend - this is what I've been up to these days.

So, yeah, the interview...I mean not to brag or anything, but when the whole CoolCrew knocked at the door, you can imagine my shock! I didn't even have the time to put my YSL Touche Eclat...luckily they brought their own make up artist and after a wee retouch here and there I was perfect...
in reality a very friendly guy who fell in love with our dogs - so much so that at one point I thought he was going to write about them...- so that earned him a couple of extra friendly points, and now this article is going to appear on next week's edition of this magazine. Can't wait to send you all off to buy a copy.... muahhahhahh.

Moving swiftly on, I don't know if I told you that our doggies had 7 puppies...this is now what I'm leaving behind:

Adesso, in italiano: raga' ci sono sti 7 cuccioli che sono troppo belli, hanno 3 settimane. Stiamo cercando una casa accogliente per ognuno di loro... mi raccomando, parlate con amici, parenti, conoscenti, tutti!
se qualcuno e' interessato, mi lasci un commento sul blog che io poi vi contatto, o vi faccio contattare!!!
danke schoen.

off to pack now, cheerio.

Go on...have a laugh!

2006-02-16T11:37:00.001+01:00

Big Train, Little Train

Sinking

Munich...

Jesus!

- une semaine

2006-02-15T11:21:00.000+01:00

Hello again!
It's been a while since I last posted, so I thought I'd give you a little update of my incredibly busy life as it is nowadays...
...so...let me think...oh yes, it was valentine's day yesterday,and as a token for my own self love, I bought myself a funky new digital camera.
This is one of my most significant artistic expressions:

which is me wearing a crash helmet. Maybe the picture will not give justice to the helmet, which is one of those with air-conditioning, coffee making facilities sort...needless to say that I burst out laughing when I saw it, as images of me riding a pedal bike in Hanoi with this thing over me head rolled in my mind, but then I was reassured that
a- it is to be worn only on motorbikes and on tuk-tuks
and
b- the other VSO volunteers wear one too, so the locals won't just laugh at me (pathetic reassurance, I know..)
So anyway, this is something else I'll pack as part of my 25kg allowance this week...I'll have to think hard (and believe me it is a struggle) of what 5 books, 5 dvds and 5(?) cds I'll bring, and how all these fundamental items will fit in the luggage allowance.
another question I have is, how will we (departing volunteers) recognise each other at Heathrow airport next Thursday?
the helmet under the arm could be one answer...
anyway, isn't it a nice picture? :o)

Musica Maestro??

2006-02-10T23:51:00.000+01:00

Lately, I've had the chance to participate to a few conversations about music, and these are the my amazing discoveries:
- that The Prodigy's song "Diesel Power" DOES NOT say "Close your mind-tracks and leave fantastically" but rather "Blows your mind drah-stically fantastically". This was a major trauma for me, especially cos I thought the lyrics were great like I'd interpreted them, and had already decided how to name my blog.
- that the song "Personal Jesus" was not originally by the Depeche Mode, but by Johnny Cash. Later this was proven wrong by brother (expert of all things with regards to music): evidence shows that the song is from the Depeche Mode and then had been covered by Johnny Cash, which proves what a drastically and fantastically musical genious he was.
- that my knowledge of Queen has been fading away slowly as I claimed Bohemian Rhapsody to be the first record I'd ever bought. This, by the way, was an unintentional lie as well as being wrong, as it was I tape I recorded from a friend's vinyl of "A night at the opera".

Ok, I admit it, I've lived in ignorance long enough (give time to the neurons, they're still practising the lambada). I'm now putting together a whole musical playlist to take with me to Vietnam, and I'm calling out to you to advise me and suggest what music should accompany me during this experience.

Giuda Ballerino...

2006-02-09T20:19:00.000+01:00

the end of pimp my ride

2006-02-08T17:14:00.000+01:00

Once upon a time, when myself and Amoure, my sistah, decided to leave sunny South Wales setting off for new adventures in a 10 year old Ford Fiesta, my colleagues and good friends from Newport gave us a great present. We had a Pimp My Ride session in Sarah's farm, and this is how my car looked by the end of it:
It was fantastic...driving down to Lecce, we were being encouraged by all the truck drivers, who became our best friends on the road...it was the most popular car in our town - oh, those were the days. Now this is coming to an end. The car is getting and Italian license plate and.....TRAGEDYYYYYYY - the Congedo Rally Team writings are coming off.

I love you Pucca. I always have (well, except when I had to change the engine, battery, electrics,...but that's another story). Goodbye.

2006-02-08T11:27:00.000+01:00

This is my alter ego

2006-02-07T13:19:00.000+01:00

So, here's my second post in my new blog...how exciting..except, I really don't know what to write. Or better, I have loads to write and I don't know where to begin?!
As many of you know, I'll be leaving to Hanoi, Vietnam soon - 23rd February! as a VSO volunteer. After some weeks of in-country training, I'll be working as a PR adviser at the Hoa Sua vocational training school for disadvantaged youths...check out the links on the right here.
It's dead exciting, yo, I'm going to be there for a year, and the preparations are going well. Well, I've had my immunisations and all that, but most of all I met the most amazing people at the training courses in Birmingham. Not to mention how great it was to be in Munich, Glasgow and Manchester to see my family and friends.
psycho-somatic addict insane...
I need to explain the presence of some of the links here...you may think I'm a bit of a left-wing intellectual, by having added Chomsky's website. Well, no. The reason I've added it, is that a very very very good friend of mine, Manu, has so much trust in me intelligence that he sent me that link. It's there cos I know some of you may be interested, and you're more than welcome to come back to me with some summaries.
the only thing that could associate myself with the "left-wing intellectual" persona, is that this is how I dress up at Carnival parties.
so long...till I have better things to write.
muac

Ode to Davdeh

2006-02-06T13:09:00.000+01:00

Un uomo entra negli uffici della redazione di un giornale per far pubblicare il necrologio sulla morte di sua moglie.
Si avvicina al banco e il tipo della redazione gli da un foglio dove poter scrivere il necrologio.

L'uomo scrive sul biglietto "Marta e' morta".

Funzionario: " Sa, signore, puo' aggiungere qualcosa a questo testo, il prezzo rimane lo stesso"
Gli riporge il foglio, e l'uomo si allontana. Pensa, ripensa per 10 minuti, scrive qualcosa e torna.

"Marta e' morta ieri".

Funzionario: "Beh, magari puo' dare piu' notizie sulla morte, o ringraziare i famigliari ed amici per le condoglianze...prenda tempo, non c'e' fretta.."

L'uomo si allontana di nuovo e comincia a pensare. Rimane cosi' a rimuginare per una buona mezz'ora, poi gli si illumina il viso, comincia a scrivere e torna dal funzionario con un sorriso.

"Marta e' morta ieri. Vendo Panda blu".

ahhahhhhhahh.

Sorry people, this had to be in Italian. Welcome to my blog, I hope you'll laugh as much as I'm doing now - out of hysteria, but most of all, thanks to the people around me.
Had a fantastic month away, seeing friends, relatives, and meeting new people at the VSO training courses. And this is to keep you all updated and entertained whilst I prepare for my departure to Vietnam as a VSO volunteer!