Chi Marchie means Miss Marchie in Vietnamese, has a rather nice ring to it, doesn't it?
I'm currently a teacher in Hanoi, and, due to pressure from family and friends, have made the attempt to chronicle my experience living and working in Viet Nam.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Motorbike photos
Now that I have my official motorbike, I decided to upload some photos for ya'll at home to enjoy. When the bike was delivered, I noticed some little design over the tire. As I got closer, it turns out that the decal is a very intense-looking Statue of Liberty, featuring the words "No Fear". Since this is so hysterical (and over the top American) it will remain on my bike. While I'm at it, here is a picture of my alley way (looking out my bedroom window). Enjoy!
Great advice: Don't let the construction workers by your house know that you can communicate in Vietnamese (however limited...). I made that mistake and now have to politely chat every time I see them, which is at least 3 times a day. Sometimes, it's better to play the ignorant foreigner card.
The city of Ha Noi is officially named, Thang Long Ha Noi, which roughly translates to "The Soaring Dragon City Ha Noi"
I thought having a rooster start crowing at 5am was the worst it could get, but I have a neighbor with some intense emphysema- waking up to a hacking cough early in the morning (every morning) is definitely worse...
"Chi la co giao My".... the phrase "I am an American teacher" is my go to if I have no clue what someone is saying... which is a majority of the time
The way people deal with trash here is truly remarkable. Basically, throw your garbage on the side of the road and wait for the garbage ladies to come by and pick it up. They come once a day, around 5pm, so the streets get pretty messy at night.
The best way to wake up in the morning is driving in rush hour in 100 degree heat. It's impossible to make it through alive if you are not alert, so it definitely does the trick.
Always avoid the dried squid sellers, they stink to high heaven
Apparently, if it has a heartbeat, you can eat it. And if it doesn't, you can still eat it. What I'm trying to say is that in Vietnam, you can eat whatever the hell you want. Ech.
Green Papaya Salad Recipe: papaya, carrot, lime, sugar, salt, mint, spicy peppers, roasted peanuts, pork, shrimp.... mix. Simple and delicious
I've learned to only accept ice that is round with a hole in the middle. Anything else has been made in a dirty warehouse, transported on a dirty motorbike, and chopped up on a dirty street side. Obviously, this sort of ice would prove disastrous if ingested.
Beautiful bike:)) Ride safe
ReplyDeletexoxo