Wrap up

Leaving Saigon in 12 hours at 430am for a 555 flight to hong kong and then Chicago greensboro. Nice weekend. Friday we stayed home and had ribs for dinner. Dad had two hr massage. I picked up the painting I had made. SaturdY dad worked, I got my nails done and got drenched on the wY home on my bike. Dinner was peak hyatt. Sunday wS had. Asual morning, went to city, got foot and leg massage because I didn't want to mess up my make up and hair! Then we checked out a new indoor mall then a tailor. Then we came home had a rest. Dinner was at tres gourmand restaurant. Lovely French meal Tonightt is light dinner at home. Soup and/or salad. Ms Han is sad I'm leaving. She wants me to come back soon. Early morning alarm. Two suitcases about 20+ kg each! Jeez I thought I'd get off easy. Dad sending stuff back, Rajiv sending things to college daughter (I offered) as wells as my bag that I had in calif before I left. Back to nc in time for lots of Christmas festivities. Happy birthday archer. See you soon!

Thanksgiving in Vietnam 2012

today is thanksgiving but its not a special day here obviously. we are going to the park hyatt tonight for turkey and fixings. i hope they have lumpy gravey and mashed potatoes. today i had nhi and ann carey for lunch. ms han made a fantastic soup called "bun rieu" or something like that. it was crab meatballs in broth with tomato and then you add salad toppings of your choice. she also made pate for another dish she'll make tomorrow and gave nhi a jar of pate. then went for 90 min massage because its 20% off $27 so who can resist a sale. wednesday ms. han had day off so i was the help. did laundry, served breakfast, tidied up beds, etc then went into town. on the return taxi ride i had a frightening experience first time. the driver didnt drop the machine so when i got to the compound it was 500,000 dong and i know its usually only 130,000 dong ($5 per 100,000). i got into an argument with him and my doors were locked and so were the windows. he kept yelling and i just said shhhhh. there was so much else i should have done: take out my cell phone, took off my shoe, taken his #s but i was just shocked at his behaviour. anyhow i ended up giving him $4US and got out. wish i could have reported him but as i said, i didnt take his number. next time, use my cell phone for photo and dialing. i was so distraught that i needed a facial. so 20% off facial helped my frustration at being dumb. i've learned a lesson to first make sure he drops the meter. dinner was two take out pizzas, two salads and one order of mussels. (dad, stephen and me) Tuesday: great day with ann carey and some ladies. went to a few museums. vn ladies museum, vn herbal medicine museum, lacquer factory and a nice lunch. dad had a dinner so stephen and i went to a new french restaurant and it was great. beautiful patio (but i think they might allow smoking outdoors so it could be bad). i had veal filet that was fantastic; stephen had scallop and ?? mixed up. one taxi driver i did have this week was very nice and he had a catholic rosary bead hanging from his mirror .. crystal. young guy. i'm starting to think the russians and french are not so friendly. no reply to good morning or hellos.

Compound living

Saturday afternoon the compound is alive with kids of all ages down by the river, kids on bikes, skateboards, stollers, families, nannies, dogs. A real united nations of kids mostly chatting in english with their own accents. The pre teen girls are probably the hardest age here. Pre teen boys more involved with their bikes and skating ramps. Dogs. Who in their right mind would bring a st.bernard to Vietnam. Felt so sorry for him/her as it lumbered around being walked by a maid. At least the grey great Dane was slow but not burdened with long hair. Then there was the dog being exercised by a maid on a bicycle. I feel somewhat guilty about knowing the playlist at the massage place. Maybe I've been there too often??? I've made breakfast, washed dishes, load of laundry. Not bad for a houseguest! Don't want ms Han to run away when she comes in on Monday. I'm sure she will be tired taking care of new mommy and grandson. He was 3kg which is 6.6 lbs. 2 wks early. Quiet Sunday planned.

End of week

Never did get back to the photo exhibit before Friday. Oh well. Thursday I went to meet Ann carry at the intl ladies of Vietnam ILV christmas bazaar I. The morning. Can't say there was anything that interested me ... I was looking for a tree ornament. Just a big room with stuff for sale like cakes and glutten free baked goods, some scarfs, handmade cards, clothes. Thursday afternoon I finally got out to the factory. Probably only bc dad was giving another person (art gallery asst) a tour and that's why I was allowed to tag along. Amazing skills watching a piece of wood go thru the process to becoming a chair, table, mirror frame, etc. Back home by 4. Dinner at home of pumpkin soup and morning glory and garlic. Friday popped down to get my watch. It's a goner. Can't repair the stem. Did a little shopping too. Got back to the house about 1 ... Lunch was pho. Ms Han got call from daughter. It was baby time so she left. Had a massage, went to supermarket, met dad after his two hr massage about 8pm for dinner pizza and carbonnara. Got call from Han. Baby boy born c section had not seen daughter or baby yet. So she has the morning off and I get to do breakfast. Works half day on Saturday. Saturday morning now dad has gone to exercise. Better start my day too. Missing all. Christmas decorations starting here.

Around town

I'd say about 95% of the vehicles in town are minivans and SUVs, very few sedans, except for high end merc bez and bmws and taxis of course. Tourist seasons, lots of cruise ship groups wandering with guides. The downstairs tv and the upstairs tv are completely different channels. What's on 4 downstairs is not on 4 but on 12. Hard to get find a station without channel surfing. I've gotten very daring on my bicycle. I've been riding a lot outside the compound merging in traffic, crossing and turning into side streets etc. Now that many not sound like much of an accomplishment, but I assure you it's harder than it sounds here. Next challenge learning how to drive a motorbike. Caught an great outdoor photojournalism exhibit but then it started to rain so I'll have to resume it by Friday. Very interesting mong people and their traditions.

reflections

now that things have calmed down after a hectic summer 2012, i've been doing a lot of thinking about family stuff. dad celebrated his 64th birthday and that's a pretty big milestone. we had a lot of family evenings ... some sad, most happy. i miss my mom and still get teary over little things. but some of the best stuff also happened this summer, starting with jack's arrival, then emily and charlies wedding then the awesome beach trip. all happy family events and we are so fortunate to be able to celebrate and enjoy each other. today i was thinking about what was the most terrible event in my life as a parent ... actually i am so grateful that childhood was uneventful for the most part when raising four children. there could have been a lot more stuff. probably the most terrible occurred when elizabeth had the lump on her lymph node and they suspected leukemia. I guess everything else was minor. Whoever thought cat scratch was a real disease! And Sarah always had a good dr when stitches were required. My regrets. Many I'm sure. Probably over reacting to stuff that in the scheme of thugs wasn't major. Maybe being too controlling but I like to think of that as protective. And particularly not reading more to my children as they were growing up. This is obviously only a partial reflection which I started several times but it's a work in progress.....to be continued

In Vietnam nov 2012

Started out going to calif and staying with Sarah for her half marathon and jacks baptism at st. Edmunds or Edwards. Great Disneyland trip, Halloween night, preschool parade,etc. Left from John wayne airport on election day for San Francisco. United flight to Tokyo then to ho chi mihn city arriving on Wednesday night about 1045. Thuesday was just regrouping day but I did get 90 minute massage and we had macys group for dry ks with roger Friesen. Had lunch with Ann carry and dinner with Harvey both at Mekong merchant. Soup and then carbonnara. Don't recall Saturday but I think I did the city for a while. Sunday we were at anthony and Sally cox's for a lovely lunch...Stephen, Jenny and others were there. Then we headed to the hyatt to meet roger before he departs on Tuesday. Monday Ann carey and I spent the day exploring and shopping. We went to the glass factory that I first went to with rosemary. Got some vases and kitchen stuff. Then lunch At a coffee shop then more shopping in a new tower type mall. 3 basement levels of shops and food court and some amazing shops .. Many luxury brands too. Good day with her. Dinner was a salad plate at home that dad devoured quickly. It was very good so I savored it more. Hard boiled egg, tuna, green beans, tomato, carrot, yellow bell pepper all presented beautifully on a platter (sorry no photo) Tuesday breakfast was some scrambled eggs and tomato that were prepared with lots of flavor. Back into town to finish some things ... Needed to pick up my watch but it wasn't back. Checked out bazaar. Attacked the garden earlier today. I think the gardener is hesitant (afraid) to be brutal when pruning. And stuff grows so easily that you really can't worry. Hope that catches you up somewhat. Did hear election results on flight. Awful movies. Thet really were pathetic. I will be more diligent hopefully in the coming days.

Sicily 2012

Tuesday thru thursday so far ... Lots of cathedrals and churches. Mosaics are impressive. Hotel is good .. It's a Hilton but it's in Sicily Italy so it's interesting. Went to the coast today about 2 hours from palermo and it was so cool. Well worth the very long drive, nice to be out of the city and traffic too. Tomorrow we leave Palermo go to another part of Sicily for one night then to amalfi coast. Food is good.

Week one recap

Week one - early sunday arrival after Friday departure and flight delays as always. Two hour massage quiet sunday .. Pate and cheese, pizza deli ered. Mondaynight roger Friesen for dinner at home with Paul and Tom from TA. Pancake, spring rolls, soup, ice cream. Tuesday pool, dinner with Tom at mekongmerchant, shampoo for 30,000 dong 1.50!Wednesday pool to get some color for my dress. Wet market with ms Han for fresh food. Lizzy and mathilda came for day to keep cool since they had no power. Green soup, salad for dinner. Thursday pool, BT market, 1 hr massage, dinner tres gourmand duck confit. Friday bike, pool, read, dinner Mekong merchant. Saturday, city foot massage, MOB dress shopping, scarfs, tees, pool till rain started, operation smile Fund raiser T hyatt. Sunday, French toast, 2 hr massage, lunch cheeseburger, long walk very hot, soup for dinner, watched "man on a ledge DVD. Monday hinge out at house, rode bike, pool till rain, dinner hyatt, lasagna carbonara. Tuesday, Ann carry came to Lunch. Wonder why people have nice dogs then have housekeepers take them out for walks. Seems strange. Actaully turned on tv this morning and watched a bit of blue bloods one of my new favorite tv shows. Nice. Moving vans in compound that time of year. No memorial day BBQ here. Appreciaate all the great photos on flickr lately. Will update again just so you know Im on it.

Last day, last blog from south america

Morning room service coffee and rolls. Dad left for meetings, I showered and met my tour guide at 10:30. Lovely lady who took me around city for 3.5 hours, seeing an overview of the sights and getting a history lesson in the process. Sao paolo named for st Paul, city was founded on his feast day by the Jesuits. Lots of graffiti, many many homeless camped on sidewalks and steps. Lots of police patrolling public areas too. Beautiful park, and the best news was it wasn't raining. The sun even managed to come out! Returned to fasano hotel about 230 and dad was waiting for late lunch. Went to amazing restaurant with a huge fig tree growing in the center. Nice meal .. Dad has sardines and I had salad of shrimp, lobster and scallop. Back to room, rested and watched movie, took a walk, pack bags, opted for another walk for some fresh air and sunshine. No dinner prior to long flights for both of us. Watched Australian open this morning.

Lookingbforward to seeing everyone ... Hangnin there Elizabeth.

Last night the dinner was in a very authentic Brazilian restaurant. I had a pork dish and dad had a fish from the amazon river.

Friday

Awoke to more grey skies. So much for packing summer things. Dad and I agreed we could make it with just coffee this morning. He left for a day of work visiting furniture places. My options were limited by the weather so I thought. Pool is indoor but closed today so I took advantage of the 15 min free massage which turned out to be 7.5 minutes on each foot. It was nice. Then I sat with the concierge and figured out a plan for the day. She suggested a mall which turned out to be a high rise building butnit was great. All the big names and lots of Brazilian designer shops. LV, Cartier, channel, Tiffany, ferragamo, Burberry, hilfiger. Spent most of the afternoon in there. Still raining so badly the gutters were difficult to hop across even getting into taxi. I know I said no souvenirs, but I thought each of you girls should have a special gift from brazil .... About the only time your mother will ever buy you a lace thong!

I believe dinner tonight will be with dads distributor ... Guess I'll dig out something from the suitcase.

Saturday I will do a private guided tour .. The only kind offered apparently. Maybe it won't rain ;-/

Found the flickr site for the hotel in Patagonia .. Those pics would have helped packing had I known about it!

On the drive to the shopping mall passed the bentley, Ferrari, lamborgini, BMW dealers. On the drive back thru a lovely neighborhood all the homes were behind big walls, most with barbed wire and several security cameras and double gates. Yesterday dad was driven back in an armor plated range rover with bulletproof windows and the security guard followed in a car behind. They are serious about their safety.

That wraps it up for now...

My day

Thursday in Sao paolo. Dad and I slept late after a long travel day on Wednesday. Too late for breakfast so only coffee in lobby. Walked the shops in neighborhood, every big name imaginable. Cartier, ferragamo, etc etc. Lunch at lovely Italian restaurant. Orichetti for me and risotto for dad. Stroll around, dad skipped and did a bit of work. Had 330 appt with local dealer. I went exploring on my own when he left.

First I went and checked out spa. Nice small massage area ... Got their price list and I am happy to say that I won't be having any services in the hotel spa ....example one hour relaxing massage is 118us$. Five hour brides day is about 900us$! Then I walked down a flight to the indoor pool. Pool, sauna ,steam shower....might be a less expensive alternative to the spa! But they charge for the bottle of water.

Then i left the hotel for a wander around on my own. Wandered the streets .. Lots of sales of Sumer clothes. Some observations while having a cappuccino in no particular order ... Gay men are much more blatant with their PDA. Lots of graffiti all over the place. I don't know who wears all the skimpy underwear being sold here bc the women are quite ample bodies mostly. I expected the stereotype statuesque model types. And there are some but rare. Returned to hotel at 7pm before dark .. So I don't get lost and it's safer! Dad not back from his afternoon appointment.

Morning started out with slight drizzle, progressed to heavier later in morning then stopped. Evening drizzle ... Sun never came out.

Obviously it could be a late dinner but that's normal for brazil.

Hang in there Elizabeth. Feel betterr Carolyn. August 11 works for me. Great picture Sarah.

More.... Dinner at portugese restaurant. Lovely exquisite meal, quality service presentation and pricing. Steak and fish for us. Friday dad has meetings, I will likely repeat much of today with some minor changes.

Wednesday to Sao paolo

Currently in the airport lounge of santiago headed over to brazil.

Early morningn wake up 345, shower and out at 415, arrived punta arena airport at 640 for 740 flight. One stop in way to santiago. Thru immigration to exit country and apparently I left somewhat important paper in my luggage! Had to go get a duplicate to be processed out...just a little hiccup and something else for dad to be annoyed about. But he handled it well (unless he was hoping to leave me behind
:-/). Got our seats changed to sit together for the trip to Sao paolo. Now we must have to make sure out luggage makes the flight as well.

Hang in there Elizabeth. Hear you're sick Carolyn .. Market will do that to you. Hope you feel better soon.

Good pictures to show when I see you all. Love mom

Familiar businesses

Ruby Tuesday
Dunkin donuts
Subway
Brooks brothers
Applebys
Mcdonalds of course

Louis vuitton
Feragammo
Pronovias! Free standing shop

And probably others that I'm not tuned into!

Sunday Jan 22

Hangin there elizabeth

Sunday started out at 355am alarm, shower, zip up and check out od hotel. 25000 peso trip to airport ...19000 from airport to hotel!? $50 vs $40. LAN airlines, good trip at 6am to end od earth over Andes mtns. Beautiful mtn range but kept thinking if we crashed they'd never find us ... Ever! But not a bad place to end up. Amazing mtns. Chilly in chile about 50 degrees. Two hour shuttle to hotel north of airport so not exactly down as far south as possible. SINGULAR hotel. Other shuttle passengers no shows but waited til last ones out. Windy! Yikes. Should have packed better. Sheep and cows. Nothing enroute to hotel. Seriously nothing. Andes mtns very impressive.

Hotel is amazing. Hidden gem. So impressed. Dad met me at registration. Had my doubts initially but wow. And of course its loaded with TA furniture everywhere you look. Dad is taking photos non stop. View from room is awesome ... Mtns and water. Signed up for boat tour on Monday and hotel tour which is an old meat packing and processing facility. Spa is beautiful. Bar is impressive. Restaurant is gorgeous. Not walking distance to anywhere.

Lunch of steak and. Risotto in dining room....mellow afternoon. Need to walk off lunch after dads nap! Dinner 8 or later chile time!

Observations: very few obese people seen in Santiago. Amazing.
Cars: toyota, chevy, subarsu, peugot, dodge .. Not merc or Lexus.
Churches everywhere

Saw a couple last night each pushing stroller, he had guitar slung over shoulder. I thought they might be going to party. Well later after leaving dinner at restaurant I saw them busking outside outdoor tables with him playing guitar and her on some reed instrument! Poor little kids where props .. She pushed with one hand and played her flute thing with the other.

So in Lower chile now. Very isolated but actually Internet connection is good. Dad had no Internet when fishing! And he survived! Sounds like he had good trip from what I've been told.

Hang in there Elizabeth!

In Santiago chile

Wonderful night sleep. Today is the day of full sightseeing. Will hop a tourist on off bus and do it. Now sitting in hotel lounge (thanks to dads status with intercontinental hotel use). Cofe, juice, fruit, yogurt, meat options. Had a nice lunch Friday so light supper of fruits delivered to hotel room complimentary of course! Took one photo of the bathroom sink ... Hope for more today. Wish I studied up on Spanish. Miami has no red carpet lounge ... Not good with five hour layover. Still amazed at direct flight greesnboro to Miami. Entry tax of 160 taxi of about 35 to hotel. I wonder if this breakfast is free ... Guess I have to sign something.. Sunday off to punta a arenas. CNN covering south Carolina primary. Thomas in Spanish on tv. Frazier, criminal minds, ncis advertised. Warm. BBC news. Unsure of future blogs and internet connection once I depart Santiago. Hang in there elizabeh.