Here are some pics:
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Shanghai
I just realized that I never posted anything about Shanghai. I've been back in SF for a week and a half now and life has just been a little hectic. But needless to say... I loved Shanghai and the whole experience was fabulous!
Here are some pics:
Here are some pics:
Thursday, March 11, 2010
whoa... leaving Vietnam
The last 12 days flew by! Time is so strange that way. But I'm so glad I came! I got to see so many things. And I met some amazing independent women. (and uh... I shopped like, an insane amount). The only thing I didn't see was Sapa, so I guess I still need to come back someday.
My skin is really glad I'm leaving Hanoi. The air here is so dirty it's crazy. My hair smells like I've been hanging out in a casino, just from walking around outside.
So I'm out. Had to wake up at 430am, to make the hour drive to the airport so I can fly to Shanghai. OMG... so excited about the next part of my trip! <3!!
My skin is really glad I'm leaving Hanoi. The air here is so dirty it's crazy. My hair smells like I've been hanging out in a casino, just from walking around outside.
So I'm out. Had to wake up at 430am, to make the hour drive to the airport so I can fly to Shanghai. OMG... so excited about the next part of my trip! <3!!
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
sickness.. it happens
I don't know what did it to me.
The Pho...
The hot chili sauce...
The coffee...
Or perhaps,
it was the alcohol.
(but I only had 3 drinks, and none of them were shots, I swear!)
I don't know exactly what did it, but I woke up in the middle of the night freezing cold, shaking with the worst stomach cramps I'd ever had in my life (except for when I was in Lao). Then the next thing I know I'm burning up, sweating and every time I try to move, the cramps get even worse. I think I'm going to die. I just want my mommy. I want to curl up on the bathroom floor for a while, but I remember the cockroach I found in there earlier.
I throw up. I can't keep any liquids inside me. I'm worried about the 13 hour train ride the next day. I'm worried about getting super dehydrated. I know I have some pills in my bag somewhere, but I don't even have the energy to look for them. All I can do is lay there. Finally I fall asleep. When I wake up I find the pills and take them. I try to drink water. I go back to sleep. Jesse brings me bread but I'm afraid to eat it. It's pouring rain, which makes me feel a little better about not being able to get out of bed. A few hours later I manage to get up and take a shower. I feel better. The worst seems to be over. I eat the bread. I get on the train. I read and I sleep.
We arrive in Hanoi and everyone else gets on a bus headed to Halong Bay. (I've been there before and I don't want to drive another 3 hours after a 13 hour train ride). I hop in a taxi and head for the Hilton. My room isn't ready when I arrive, so I read some more. Have coffee and a croissant. My stomach feels ok. I get a massage. I check into my room, shower and nap. I try to eat some real food, and I feel sick again. Back to bed.
It could be worse, I know. But it could also be a bit better.
The Pho...
The hot chili sauce...
The coffee...
Or perhaps,
it was the alcohol.
(but I only had 3 drinks, and none of them were shots, I swear!)
I don't know exactly what did it, but I woke up in the middle of the night freezing cold, shaking with the worst stomach cramps I'd ever had in my life (except for when I was in Lao). Then the next thing I know I'm burning up, sweating and every time I try to move, the cramps get even worse. I think I'm going to die. I just want my mommy. I want to curl up on the bathroom floor for a while, but I remember the cockroach I found in there earlier.
I throw up. I can't keep any liquids inside me. I'm worried about the 13 hour train ride the next day. I'm worried about getting super dehydrated. I know I have some pills in my bag somewhere, but I don't even have the energy to look for them. All I can do is lay there. Finally I fall asleep. When I wake up I find the pills and take them. I try to drink water. I go back to sleep. Jesse brings me bread but I'm afraid to eat it. It's pouring rain, which makes me feel a little better about not being able to get out of bed. A few hours later I manage to get up and take a shower. I feel better. The worst seems to be over. I eat the bread. I get on the train. I read and I sleep.
We arrive in Hanoi and everyone else gets on a bus headed to Halong Bay. (I've been there before and I don't want to drive another 3 hours after a 13 hour train ride). I hop in a taxi and head for the Hilton. My room isn't ready when I arrive, so I read some more. Have coffee and a croissant. My stomach feels ok. I get a massage. I check into my room, shower and nap. I try to eat some real food, and I feel sick again. Back to bed.
It could be worse, I know. But it could also be a bit better.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Bikes in Hoi An
There are bikes everywhere in Hoi An. I love it!
And as you can see I'm slightly obsessed with taking pictures of bikes, lol.
Today I might rent one and head down to the beach for a bit.
Dinner in Hoi An: Cao lau and Banana Fish
Last night we had another amazing meal in Hoi An. We started with Cao Lau, which is basically greens, bean sprouts, these crouton things, pork and some noodles and some special sauce.
The recipe for Cao Lau is a secret. In Hoi An there are 6 water wells that were built by the Champa people (who were here before the Vietnamese people) around 1000 years ago. The local people still use those wells for water today and using that water for the noodles is part of the secret recipe for this dish. I think the other secret part is the sauce, which is a little bit sweet and totally amazing.
Then we had Snapper in a banana leaf and the herbs and spices used in this dish were absolutely delicious. I always think I don't like fish and then lately, ever time I eat it I'm blown away and this time was no different. It sort of tasted of ginger, lemon grass and ... I don't know ... good stuff.
The restaurant was down by the river.
And apart from a few bug bites, it was the perfect evening.
The recipe for Cao Lau is a secret. In Hoi An there are 6 water wells that were built by the Champa people (who were here before the Vietnamese people) around 1000 years ago. The local people still use those wells for water today and using that water for the noodles is part of the secret recipe for this dish. I think the other secret part is the sauce, which is a little bit sweet and totally amazing.
Then we had Snapper in a banana leaf and the herbs and spices used in this dish were absolutely delicious. I always think I don't like fish and then lately, ever time I eat it I'm blown away and this time was no different. It sort of tasted of ginger, lemon grass and ... I don't know ... good stuff.
The restaurant was down by the river.
And apart from a few bug bites, it was the perfect evening.
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