tuesday - dad is in china until 4pm return. we're scheduled to go to my favorite restaurant tonight ... a bit of bad timing as i dont really like to eat a big meal before a long flight ... not a comfortable thing. its le bordeaux. beautiful french fancy. and quite expensive. anyhow timing and scheduling were a bit of a problem. but the main thing is i get to go. today i'm wearing black capri and leopard print top. went to town for some fabric samples for a sports coat for dad. got myself two silk knit tops (on sale 50% off winter weight). back for luch with ms han about noon. pho of course since its another favorite (in addition to her salads and soups). packed suitcase and it currently is 43 lbs so i have 7 pounds wiggle room (but i also have a new tote which has shoes and other stuff). hope i get thru customs as easily as other trips.
monday night ms han took me to ban than market at night. a whole different world. they set up market on the streets ... amazing. all these booths or tent like structures pop up and everything is for sale and quite inexpensive. wish i had waited to do my shopping! now i know much better. same stff i already got but i bet it was a bit cheaper. then we had dinner at one of the street resaturants also set up and taken down every night at midnight. it's quite an operation to see these people setting out their wares on tables, with overhead fans, lighting, stools, etc. pretty interesting marketing strategy. cant actually see dad ever going other than for the adventure of it but its' pretty amazing. scooters, people, kids, noise all over the place. taxi home about 830 and watched tv til 10.
wednesday morning will be hectic. 6am flight so will likely leave around 415. to hong kong then hang around for chicago flight. some days it seems like i was gone forever and some days it seems like it was such a quick trip. guess that's good. i've created enough havoc around here i guess but no one is running me out of town. uncle ho's birthday this weekend so the town is all decked out in lights and flowers. i think he'd have been 120. now i'll go for a walk around or sit by the pool and read. i'm sure there will be a lot of changes by the time i come back again.
Monday, May 17, 2010
Sunday, May 16, 2010
monday
well the daughter of the veneer suppliers arrived around 10. the daughter of harvey's sourcing guy arrived at 11. we went to the pool and they swam til noon or longer. played very hard. then we ordered pizza for delivery and they were starving. following a hannah montana dvd they decided to go swimming again around 140. i think emma's parents should be here around 2ish. they have a 7pm flight back to paris. thank god i am no longer a parent of a nine year old girl.
but the big news of the morning is the purple plants are in place again. well not exactly how i envisioned them but they're in the fountain garden bed. i thought they should be in 3 separate sections with room to spread but i knew they didnt agree and that's how they were planted .... all around with no separation. no big deal and it looks nice, but why do i waste my time telling them how i want it done if its not done that way. oh well. photo will be posted when i can get the card in the slot.
wearing navy shorts and pink blouse.
harvey is in china. only called once to check on emma and make sure she was doing okay. he'll be back on tues afternoon then we plan a nice dinner at le bordeaux, my favorite restaurant.
but the big news of the morning is the purple plants are in place again. well not exactly how i envisioned them but they're in the fountain garden bed. i thought they should be in 3 separate sections with room to spread but i knew they didnt agree and that's how they were planted .... all around with no separation. no big deal and it looks nice, but why do i waste my time telling them how i want it done if its not done that way. oh well. photo will be posted when i can get the card in the slot.
wearing navy shorts and pink blouse.
harvey is in china. only called once to check on emma and make sure she was doing okay. he'll be back on tues afternoon then we plan a nice dinner at le bordeaux, my favorite restaurant.
sunday night tv
dinner in tonight ... actually got delivery of some carbonnara and salad that we shared. dad goes to china tomorrow bt will be back on tuesday. we flipped on the tv and saw jamal mashburn on espn reporting on some pro basketball stuff. quite funny. he was very well spoken and knowledgeable. went to district 3 today - a real waste of time. swam a bit bt then decided to get go somewhere since dad was having his two hour massage and i didnt want to hang around ... and splashing about the pool got old after the first 30 minutes. so went to district 3 but the streets and walk were so torn up it was a challenge to walk in a line and no shopping that i cared to do. blue shorts and white tee. nothing special.
Saturday, May 15, 2010
quick summary
sunday .. dad went for a swim, then we had coffee and walked to mekong merchant for breakfast. he had scrambled with bacon, i had one egg benedict. nice casual morning. dad went to work at 10, i walked back then taxi to city for foot massage, picked up some beads and looked at dvds. taxi back at 1pm. wearing tan print capri and white tee.
saturday ... night we went to hyatt for dinner with veneer suppliers from paris. shared fish and prawns among four. wore same outfit that i wore friday night! black/white checked shirt and black top (dad asked if i was running out of clothes). blue top and khaki capris during daytime. had nails done by ms hans daughter. declan came to visit with his nanny. he's one week older than bobby and i don't think his feet ever touch the ground. bobby does a lot more from what i can see. declans parents are us consulate people. he sits on his bum leg folded and scoots across the floor using his other leg.
saturday ... night we went to hyatt for dinner with veneer suppliers from paris. shared fish and prawns among four. wore same outfit that i wore friday night! black/white checked shirt and black top (dad asked if i was running out of clothes). blue top and khaki capris during daytime. had nails done by ms hans daughter. declan came to visit with his nanny. he's one week older than bobby and i don't think his feet ever touch the ground. bobby does a lot more from what i can see. declans parents are us consulate people. he sits on his bum leg folded and scoots across the floor using his other leg.
apparently according to dad i've alienated his household staff, on friday, for the cocktails for 12, everything was organized and ready to go. i did not feel a need for ms. han to stay late and help so i said she could go home normal time to her family. well that's not what i should have done. i should have had her stay. instead she came on saturday to clean up the kitchen. then the other household person that i likely pissed off was the gardener. he works half a day here. on friday dad wanted some plants in the fountain area where there were some empty space. we had a 3 way conversation with ms. han, mr. bau and me. i said i wanted a purple planter divided into 3 groups and planted in 3 areas. thought i made it clear. well he left about 1230 and there was no planting done and guests were coming. so.... i did it myself. transplanted the ground cover purple plants to the fountain area. next day they were all pulled up because they cant be just transplanted without acclimating to the new position (back yard to front yard?). dad was angry i did it myself but i knew he wanted plants in there before the guests so i thought i was doing the right thing. wrong! now i'll just sit and watch my fingernails grow. no more trying to pitch in.
Friday, May 14, 2010
friday
loved all the new blogs and flickr picks ... enjoy waking up and seeing the pictures. friday was a busy day since we were entertaining 12 for cocktails from louis shanks in houston. ms han and i went to metro (costco) for soda and ribs and a couple other things. then to veggys for some horsdorve bread (no luck) then the gourmet. wore khaki shorts and green top. made mini salmon/sour cream/caper bites and ribs on bbq. nice cocktails. dinner at The Deck .. wore black and white sirt with black top. dad was pleased so that was nice.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
more
thursday: walked out of gate and two doors away the us state department vn guard said "good morning madam"; me: good morning; him: how are you today? me: hot, how are you? him: me too.
in the city that afternoon, an elderly couple approached me and asked if i knew if a supermarket was nearby. another inquiry! i'm getting to be a regular at answering tourist questions! anyhow i explained that to my knowledge there wasnt anthing in the city but they should look for a circle k which is like a 7-11 or milk bar (i think they were british or australian). the just were looking for some milk or drinks i think.
friday: dad invited 12 for cocktails tonight - shanks contingent customers from texas and some mgmt. stress level goes up when he entertains.
in the city that afternoon, an elderly couple approached me and asked if i knew if a supermarket was nearby. another inquiry! i'm getting to be a regular at answering tourist questions! anyhow i explained that to my knowledge there wasnt anthing in the city but they should look for a circle k which is like a 7-11 or milk bar (i think they were british or australian). the just were looking for some milk or drinks i think.
friday: dad invited 12 for cocktails tonight - shanks contingent customers from texas and some mgmt. stress level goes up when he entertains.
this and that
there are no baby boomers around ... or very few. the 55+ to 65+ yr old men have all gone since the war. a whole generation of men pretty much gone. interesting.
sitting have a cup of coffee this afternoon across from a constrction sight ... no OSHA rules apply here. guys up on scaffolding wearing flip flops and baseball caps.
raining in the afternoon lately but pretty scattered. some parts of town get it and some dont.
thursday ... two years ago today according to ms. han that harvey moved into this house. we had our first bbq lunch using the bbq i got last time i was here in november. it has never been used before. ms. han made skewers of shrimp wrapped in bacon and some veggie skewers. it was fun. room for improvement but we had to start with something. chicken, fish, ribs all possible.
taxi to town and did some shopping for things to bring back. i'm sure my suitcase will be over the limit again. might have to leave my summer clothes here and get new ones in nc! staying in tonight to help harvey's condition - ms. han made pumpkin soups that should help.
sitting have a cup of coffee this afternoon across from a constrction sight ... no OSHA rules apply here. guys up on scaffolding wearing flip flops and baseball caps.
raining in the afternoon lately but pretty scattered. some parts of town get it and some dont.
thursday ... two years ago today according to ms. han that harvey moved into this house. we had our first bbq lunch using the bbq i got last time i was here in november. it has never been used before. ms. han made skewers of shrimp wrapped in bacon and some veggie skewers. it was fun. room for improvement but we had to start with something. chicken, fish, ribs all possible.
taxi to town and did some shopping for things to bring back. i'm sure my suitcase will be over the limit again. might have to leave my summer clothes here and get new ones in nc! staying in tonight to help harvey's condition - ms. han made pumpkin soups that should help.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
more tidbits
you've all seen the email wih the crazy people carrying stuff on motor bikes ... well believe it. they carry building materials (2x4s', pipes, ladders, cable, etc.). i saw two guys on a motor bike with a big screen tv and a dvr in a box sandwiched between them. saw a guy with crates of ducks or chickens; saw another with a big basket probably with something in it. its pretty interesting.
today is Wednesday ... usual morning routine, dad swam, i showered did emails, had breakfast, went for walk to river, read kindle, then went to wine shop and ordered 12 bottles for delivery, then for swim about 11 then lunch at 1230 (smoked salmon salad bean sprouts, lemon, onion, garlic, lettuce, and other stff). went to town, got a couple things at ben than market and saigon square. had ice coffee at highland coffee, taxi back at 345. dad home at 5 ... stomach problems from last nights dinner he thinks. on my own for dinner since he has customers and no females. went to mekong merchant for salmon dinner. wearing checked capri and black top. wore navy shorts and orange shirt during day. very hot. ms. han loved all the shipment goodies. particularly loved the thai chinese cookbook (from costco) and the bathroom scale. and the garlic peeler if you can imagine that. dad's bike, helmet, waterbottle all made it too. and i'd forgotten i put some stuff for me (disposable razors, face lotions, etc. which was a nice surprise).
Tuesday - went to a crazy Hanoi style restaurant for dinner. super casual. food was spicy. loud talking hanoi people at next table, which is typical i;m told. white linen and peach capris. the shipment was delivered to the house late afternoon ... ms. han hasnt seen everything. hope she is happy with all the stuff.
today is Wednesday ... usual morning routine, dad swam, i showered did emails, had breakfast, went for walk to river, read kindle, then went to wine shop and ordered 12 bottles for delivery, then for swim about 11 then lunch at 1230 (smoked salmon salad bean sprouts, lemon, onion, garlic, lettuce, and other stff). went to town, got a couple things at ben than market and saigon square. had ice coffee at highland coffee, taxi back at 345. dad home at 5 ... stomach problems from last nights dinner he thinks. on my own for dinner since he has customers and no females. went to mekong merchant for salmon dinner. wearing checked capri and black top. wore navy shorts and orange shirt during day. very hot. ms. han loved all the shipment goodies. particularly loved the thai chinese cookbook (from costco) and the bathroom scale. and the garlic peeler if you can imagine that. dad's bike, helmet, waterbottle all made it too. and i'd forgotten i put some stuff for me (disposable razors, face lotions, etc. which was a nice surprise).
Tuesday - went to a crazy Hanoi style restaurant for dinner. super casual. food was spicy. loud talking hanoi people at next table, which is typical i;m told. white linen and peach capris. the shipment was delivered to the house late afternoon ... ms. han hasnt seen everything. hope she is happy with all the stuff.
Monday, May 10, 2010
monday etc
i'm convinced vietnam is where the game of chicken started. cars, bikes, motorbikes, trucks all vying for the same spot in the road. and lanes in the road are only a suggestion. i sure hope dad never decides to drive here because he'd certainly have major road rage. they actually all work it out very well for the most part zigging and zagging thru traffic. trucks are not permitted to enter city center until 9pm so they are lined up along the entry streets waiting to get in ... long line of trucks. a taxi ride to the city is about 80,000 dong = $4+ pretty easy to do. dial #6 on the house phone, that connects to the guardhouse, tell them taxi at #23 and it just shows up. or a five minute stroll to the guardhouse if its not too hot or if i have to go to the atm at the supermarket.
monday night dad had a biz dinner so i was on my own. okay with that. walked down to river for dinner at Boat House. wore black and white checked skirt and black tee. super casual.
monday we had a nice breakfast, then i walked to river and around compound, 1030 went to swim in pauls pool, lunch with ms han at noon fried rice (awesome) then taxi to town. went to tax store (not sure why its called that bt its 4 story shops); walked to russian market got tee shirts (I love Pho). checking out wallets and sportsacs, walked to notre dame cathedral ... long hot walk. decided not to get cappuccino but caught taxi for ride home at 4pm.
tuesday is half price day at anthony george - local hair, nails, waxing, etc. place. might go for polish change. did i mention that when they do nails it's just nails, no massaging of arms and hands? thats the best part. dad is taking me to some restaurant tonight that i havent been to ... guess he wants to make up for leaving me home last night! ya right! wearing the khaki skirt and brown tee today. another hot day ahead. 38+ forecast. but the exciting news is that the shipment which left high point in january (or should have) has now cleared customs and is being unpacked so might get delivered today. that means dads bike, helmet, ms hans hula hoop, towels, candles (made in vietnam!) and a bunch of other stuff i dont even remember should be here soon. ms han will think she hit the jackpot.
monday night dad had a biz dinner so i was on my own. okay with that. walked down to river for dinner at Boat House. wore black and white checked skirt and black tee. super casual.
monday we had a nice breakfast, then i walked to river and around compound, 1030 went to swim in pauls pool, lunch with ms han at noon fried rice (awesome) then taxi to town. went to tax store (not sure why its called that bt its 4 story shops); walked to russian market got tee shirts (I love Pho). checking out wallets and sportsacs, walked to notre dame cathedral ... long hot walk. decided not to get cappuccino but caught taxi for ride home at 4pm.
tuesday is half price day at anthony george - local hair, nails, waxing, etc. place. might go for polish change. did i mention that when they do nails it's just nails, no massaging of arms and hands? thats the best part. dad is taking me to some restaurant tonight that i havent been to ... guess he wants to make up for leaving me home last night! ya right! wearing the khaki skirt and brown tee today. another hot day ahead. 38+ forecast. but the exciting news is that the shipment which left high point in january (or should have) has now cleared customs and is being unpacked so might get delivered today. that means dads bike, helmet, ms hans hula hoop, towels, candles (made in vietnam!) and a bunch of other stuff i dont even remember should be here soon. ms han will think she hit the jackpot.
Sunday, May 9, 2010
mothers day 2010
mothers day is not a big deal here although some hotels put ads in the papers for brunches and lunches. dad actually went to the factory today since he's been gone for a few days and they were working and he needed to check the factory. i puttered around the house then went for a foot massage - a tall skinny girl but she can work her hands and my muscles. she starts at the head and rubs the temple and head, while feet are soaking. then wraps feets to dry them and the works the feet and toes and ankles and legs. then the arms. then shift position and she does the back and neck. 70 minutes of pampering. and fully clothed! met dad and jess at mekong merchant for lunch about 1pm. i had a cheeseburger! dad had pizza and jess had chicken caesar. dad and jess spoke work. quiet afternoon and evening with nothing to do. tried to watch a dvd leonardo decaprio shutter island - stupid movie, didnt finish. wore black capri and striped knit top. thanks for the emails and blog updates. miss you all and love you. don't have little piece to hold camera card and insert into laptop so cant transfer pics from my camera yet. and the laptop doesnt take the card without the sleeve.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
catching up
Wednesday May 5 - h swam, i finished packing for m trip to ho ahn. breakfast was the ususal cofee, juice, fruit, croissant with dad having some yogurt too. i then did some emails. at 945 we wet to the airport for harvey's flight to shanghai and my noon flight to danang. then got notified that my fliht was cancelled and i was rebooked on 2pm. so back to 23 lily for lunch with ms. han - pho ga (i.e. chicken noodle soup). mr. hai took me to airport at 1215. flight to dannan, arrived 310. half hour trip to the resort hotel. ate orange in my very nice beachfront room. rested a bit then to dinner at 8pm which was a buffet so i ordered a pmpkin ravioli meal. 915 returned to room for some tv. ver german feel to the place. tourists. fell asleep watching state of play. woke at 2am and watched some cnn. wore khaki sirt and beige capri! one outfit only - no one to impress.
Thursday, May 6 - blue skirt and orange knit top all day! 9am and it was melting hot. woke early and watched sunrise over south china sea. then watched the rogr marris movie 61 on hbo - such an exciting morning. walked the beach a little bt it was hot. showered, breakfast, fruit, croissant, egg, coffee. saw a john hart paperback book in their "library" ... touch of home for sure. bought sunscreen for $6. went to old town shopping, sightseeing. got 2 silk tops. back to hotel and pool ... got some sun. horrible dinner at hotel. they are not exactly a gourmet kitchen bt more meat and potatoes and sauces. oh well. last night here anyhow.
Friday May 7. 6am wake up and watched tv and sunrise. water buffalo used on te beach to smooth the sand ... photo opportunity. breakfast actually got a bowl of pho ga. sat by pool in shade (wicked hot but breeze). couldnt walk from lounge chair to pool without burning soles of feet. they brought out five huge blocks of ice on thurs afternoon to cool the water. the kids swarmed the ice blocks to ride them in the pool. showered, navy skirt and white top. left for airport at 1210. stopped at marble mountain (gift shops mostly). uneventful after that. small local airport with lots of left over war huts for aircraft. harvey still in shanghai. mr. hai met me, had dinner with jess at nee at mekong merchant - small pizza. red skirt, white tee.
Saturday, May 8 - pretty quiet. DIY breakfast coffee, fruit. hung around house because they were repainting the front gates and it was hot. blue shorts and white shirt. walked to supermarket and got ice cream for harvey .. made it home before it was soup! went to mekong merchant for lunch - chicken caesar and bottle of water. mr. hai brought harvey home about 630 then we went to hyatt for dinner - shared chicken dish and had minced shrimp on sgarcane skewer. thats about the extent of my day. guys finished the gate. happy mothers day. love to all.
Thursday, May 6 - blue skirt and orange knit top all day! 9am and it was melting hot. woke early and watched sunrise over south china sea. then watched the rogr marris movie 61 on hbo - such an exciting morning. walked the beach a little bt it was hot. showered, breakfast, fruit, croissant, egg, coffee. saw a john hart paperback book in their "library" ... touch of home for sure. bought sunscreen for $6. went to old town shopping, sightseeing. got 2 silk tops. back to hotel and pool ... got some sun. horrible dinner at hotel. they are not exactly a gourmet kitchen bt more meat and potatoes and sauces. oh well. last night here anyhow.
Friday May 7. 6am wake up and watched tv and sunrise. water buffalo used on te beach to smooth the sand ... photo opportunity. breakfast actually got a bowl of pho ga. sat by pool in shade (wicked hot but breeze). couldnt walk from lounge chair to pool without burning soles of feet. they brought out five huge blocks of ice on thurs afternoon to cool the water. the kids swarmed the ice blocks to ride them in the pool. showered, navy skirt and white top. left for airport at 1210. stopped at marble mountain (gift shops mostly). uneventful after that. small local airport with lots of left over war huts for aircraft. harvey still in shanghai. mr. hai met me, had dinner with jess at nee at mekong merchant - small pizza. red skirt, white tee.
Saturday, May 8 - pretty quiet. DIY breakfast coffee, fruit. hung around house because they were repainting the front gates and it was hot. blue shorts and white shirt. walked to supermarket and got ice cream for harvey .. made it home before it was soup! went to mekong merchant for lunch - chicken caesar and bottle of water. mr. hai brought harvey home about 630 then we went to hyatt for dinner - shared chicken dish and had minced shrimp on sgarcane skewer. thats about the extent of my day. guys finished the gate. happy mothers day. love to all.
Monday, May 3, 2010
May in Vietnam
I thought I better get writing or i'll never catch up. This blog won't be as entertaining as Judy's or as eloquent as Roseann's, but it will give you my loved ones and idea of what's going on in Saigon this trip.
Starting on Wednesday April 28 - aka Sarah's 32nd birthday
(this part is basically so i know the drill next time and won't have to actually think about what to do). woke at 630; 845 to airport with sarah; 9:00 check in
pink knit top, black linen, patent mesh aerosole shoes - on time in chicago, boarded for HongKong at 1:05 EDT; 5:15 arrived in HongKong
Crossed Interntional Date Line so thursday april 29 was lost ; arrived HoChiMihn aka Saigon at 10:10pm; Mr. Hai and Harvey were waiting.
Friday April 30 was the start of the long holiday weekend in Vietnam - no one was working, city was congested. no Ms Han (housekeeper) ... what was i thinking arriving when she wasnt arouond. Harvey sawm i morning; jess and Harvey worked at the house, I did emails, went for walk, some reading; hot and humit. dad went for a massage, i took a nap in the afternoon. gave the driver the day off too. might have worn the khaki skirt and black tee although i dont remember. friday night we went to LaPlancha in AnPhu by taxi. i had carbonnara which was very nice and not too heavy cream based.
Saturday May 1 - harvey swam; quiet day, walked to supermarket with harvey, got cheese and salad lunch ingredients. dinner was at the hyatt with Ms Nee and Jess. harvey and i shared a fish cooked in the wok and a huge order of profiteroles which we took home since there were so many. today i wore a black tee and black and white checked skirt; at night i wore a black lace skirt and black blouse
Sunday May 2 - morning swim for harvey; i walked. cooked poached egg on toast, coffee. cleaned up kitchen; 11am haircut for harvey, i had foot massage which is actually the entire body but with clothes on $10. wore black capri with dots and white tee. met Jess at Hyatt for lunch since harvey was already there for haircut. had a burger which was yummy. dad had steak tartar. went dvd shopping ... got the whole first year of criminal minds. jet lag kicked in and at 4am we were watching monsters ball. dinner that night was a plate of cheese, pate and leftover profiteroles and a cup of tea. 8pm watched state of play on hbo.
Monday May 3 - dad walked; breakfast was fruit, oj and a croissant - ms han returned to work! black capri and white tee. i walked to river, read my kindle, did emails, lunch with ms. han of egg drop soup (homemade of course). went to club pool about 2. took short nap. dad home from work at 6. dinner home fried noodles, watched tv. still shaking jetlag.
Tuesday May 4 - dad swam; i puttered a little early. breakfast fruit, english muffin, juice, coffee. went to river and read. decided i was desperate and my hair needed cutting call mr. anthony george but it was his day off so at 11am i had a vietnamese guy cut my hair - trim it barely but that's okay at least its not flipping up and hanging over my ears. then took taxi to saigon square and picked up a few things for home ... get your orders in: longchamp tote, lesport sack, etc. i needed something for a little trip i'm taking tomorrow. dad has to go to shanghi from wed til saturday so i'm taking off for a little adventure to ho anh which is near danang. beach, siteseeing, etc. i'll go to the airport with him on wednesday morning and they've arranged for someone to meet me and take me to hotel. will be interesting but since i've spent half my married life alone, i should be okay. i come back friday afternoon and dad gets back on saturday. no laptop so wont be in touch. i got a cute little chanel tote/roller for $20. i'm not one to bargain but it's a nice thing. tonight dad and i are suppose to go to dinner with Paul M-S. one way or the other we're going out. Mr. Paul is moving out of the compound to one of his many homes in asia. we're trying to figure out how to move the fence so we can access the pool in his yard. i've only taken one photo and that was a bright red hybiscus flower.
i appreciate everyone updating their blogs and flickr photos ... i do miss seeing the boys after such an intense visit with everyone. need to get my nails done. havent done anything but they are pretty rough. its really muggy and humid, somewhat cloudy so i havent worked on my tan much. i think thats what i'll do at ho ahn.
Starting on Wednesday April 28 - aka Sarah's 32nd birthday
(this part is basically so i know the drill next time and won't have to actually think about what to do). woke at 630; 845 to airport with sarah; 9:00 check in
pink knit top, black linen, patent mesh aerosole shoes - on time in chicago, boarded for HongKong at 1:05 EDT; 5:15 arrived in HongKong
Crossed Interntional Date Line so thursday april 29 was lost ; arrived HoChiMihn aka Saigon at 10:10pm; Mr. Hai and Harvey were waiting.
Friday April 30 was the start of the long holiday weekend in Vietnam - no one was working, city was congested. no Ms Han (housekeeper) ... what was i thinking arriving when she wasnt arouond. Harvey sawm i morning; jess and Harvey worked at the house, I did emails, went for walk, some reading; hot and humit. dad went for a massage, i took a nap in the afternoon. gave the driver the day off too. might have worn the khaki skirt and black tee although i dont remember. friday night we went to LaPlancha in AnPhu by taxi. i had carbonnara which was very nice and not too heavy cream based.
Saturday May 1 - harvey swam; quiet day, walked to supermarket with harvey, got cheese and salad lunch ingredients. dinner was at the hyatt with Ms Nee and Jess. harvey and i shared a fish cooked in the wok and a huge order of profiteroles which we took home since there were so many. today i wore a black tee and black and white checked skirt; at night i wore a black lace skirt and black blouse
Sunday May 2 - morning swim for harvey; i walked. cooked poached egg on toast, coffee. cleaned up kitchen; 11am haircut for harvey, i had foot massage which is actually the entire body but with clothes on $10. wore black capri with dots and white tee. met Jess at Hyatt for lunch since harvey was already there for haircut. had a burger which was yummy. dad had steak tartar. went dvd shopping ... got the whole first year of criminal minds. jet lag kicked in and at 4am we were watching monsters ball. dinner that night was a plate of cheese, pate and leftover profiteroles and a cup of tea. 8pm watched state of play on hbo.
Monday May 3 - dad walked; breakfast was fruit, oj and a croissant - ms han returned to work! black capri and white tee. i walked to river, read my kindle, did emails, lunch with ms. han of egg drop soup (homemade of course). went to club pool about 2. took short nap. dad home from work at 6. dinner home fried noodles, watched tv. still shaking jetlag.
Tuesday May 4 - dad swam; i puttered a little early. breakfast fruit, english muffin, juice, coffee. went to river and read. decided i was desperate and my hair needed cutting call mr. anthony george but it was his day off so at 11am i had a vietnamese guy cut my hair - trim it barely but that's okay at least its not flipping up and hanging over my ears. then took taxi to saigon square and picked up a few things for home ... get your orders in: longchamp tote, lesport sack, etc. i needed something for a little trip i'm taking tomorrow. dad has to go to shanghi from wed til saturday so i'm taking off for a little adventure to ho anh which is near danang. beach, siteseeing, etc. i'll go to the airport with him on wednesday morning and they've arranged for someone to meet me and take me to hotel. will be interesting but since i've spent half my married life alone, i should be okay. i come back friday afternoon and dad gets back on saturday. no laptop so wont be in touch. i got a cute little chanel tote/roller for $20. i'm not one to bargain but it's a nice thing. tonight dad and i are suppose to go to dinner with Paul M-S. one way or the other we're going out. Mr. Paul is moving out of the compound to one of his many homes in asia. we're trying to figure out how to move the fence so we can access the pool in his yard. i've only taken one photo and that was a bright red hybiscus flower.
i appreciate everyone updating their blogs and flickr photos ... i do miss seeing the boys after such an intense visit with everyone. need to get my nails done. havent done anything but they are pretty rough. its really muggy and humid, somewhat cloudy so i havent worked on my tan much. i think thats what i'll do at ho ahn.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)