The power went off today at around 2 PM. Normally, I'm not home at that time, but today I found myself wondering whether or not I paid the power bill. My room was already air conditioned like usual, but five minutes after the power was off I began sweating. I opened the front door to look across at my neighbor and realized that her normally blinking altar was completely pitch black. About thirty minutes later I was sweating like crazy and neighbors started pouring in the courtyards below. This was strange for this time in the afternoon as most Phu My Hung residents are either at work or tucked away in their homes. I tried my best not to leave my room because I didn't want the last remaining bit of cool air to leave. I never blast my AC, so the cool air dissipated before I knew it.
When I finally had to leave at 4, I realized that the entire area was shut down. Power was off and employees were all loitering about in the front on their shops and stores. Electricity dictates people's lives and I hate that. I hate how without AC, I wouldn't be able to live in Vietnam. I never had AC in California and I was just fine. It wasn't that big of a deal. But here, for whatever reasons, without it, I instantly feel angry. Sure, it's a lot hotter and more humid here, but why should I let them affect me so much? Hell- meals are only good with AC. Electricity equals productivity and that's such a shame. A hundred years ago, civilizations were built under the sun. Yet, I always need that security of having water with me when I'm out during the day time. That's just mightily weak.
At around 4:30, power finally did manage to come back. I was sitting at a pho restaurant trying cool off with some soy bean milk, until the bulbs blinked a couple of times and cheers could be heard throughout the distance. Power was back, and almost routinely, people got up and returned to work without any hesitation. I did the same. So much for that.
Visuals
Thursday, May 23, 2013
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Needs no introduction / Best of.
Since I'm rapidly approaching 900 subscribers, and over 600,000 total views, I want to pay homage to a person who doesn't need to be introduced any further. In fact, you don't even know his real name or why he's in Vietnam. But it doesn't matter. You don't need to know those things you nosy ass foos. Just know that he's been in Vietnam for five years, he's married with child, an Ivy League graduate, originally from So Cal, and he speaks Vietnamese better than a tortoise. And the large reason why VietnaMoments Daily Videos have been prominently the Old Boy Show is because well.. you know why..now let's take a look back as we take a walk down memory lane at some of the more memorable moments.
This marked the very first appearance and when the legend of Old Boy was named.
This was the first time that Old Boy spoke on video. A star was born.
This is one of my favorite videos because it's loaded with information as well as social commentary.
This video is epic in all the right places. It was Old Boy's first time at the Bitexco Tower and the first time eating crab soup.
In the middle of a crazy night I received a phone call from a very drunken Old Boy who told me to get to District 1 right away. Later that night we met some of the city's most famous Japanese chefs.
When Old Boy's wife went to Korea, he decided to go to Da Lat thanks to my encouragement. This marked his first time there. I'm sure he'll be coming back.
We just came back from lunch in District 1 and his wife wanted a mango and some banh mi. Hilarity ensues.
This was how we first met.
Old Boy showing his street ball skills.
Buying clothes can be a chore, but not if you do it right.
And of course, Da Lat for a Day..
This marked the very first appearance and when the legend of Old Boy was named.
This was the first time that Old Boy spoke on video. A star was born.
This is one of my favorite videos because it's loaded with information as well as social commentary.
This video is epic in all the right places. It was Old Boy's first time at the Bitexco Tower and the first time eating crab soup.
In the middle of a crazy night I received a phone call from a very drunken Old Boy who told me to get to District 1 right away. Later that night we met some of the city's most famous Japanese chefs.
When Old Boy's wife went to Korea, he decided to go to Da Lat thanks to my encouragement. This marked his first time there. I'm sure he'll be coming back.
We just came back from lunch in District 1 and his wife wanted a mango and some banh mi. Hilarity ensues.
This was how we first met.
Old Boy showing his street ball skills.
Buying clothes can be a chore, but not if you do it right.
And of course, Da Lat for a Day..
Somebody does care.
but not really.
Demotion Man part II.
On the next night despite not really improving my condition, I once again opted to meet up with a girl who wanted to meet me. This time it was okay because I was hungry and it was still early. Now, this girl was relatively attractive in picture, but when she showed up in person I was kind of freaked out a little bit. She didn't look like her pictures much, and she surely sounded as annoying as ever. On the phone she was super annoying. She didn't quite have a countryside voice, but she has one of those whining childish voices, despite being 22. As soon as I saw her in a red dress I automatically wanted to go home. No matter how attractive her appearance may be- her voice and personality killed the evening. She was already boring to me.
She was insistent on eating Japanese food. I told her that I didn't want to eat at any chain franchised restaurants because that's not real Japanese food. She was fine with that, but then she said she wasn't going to eat anything live. She just wanted the bento box style. Well, only franchised places like MOF or Tokyo Deli usually offers those. When we sat down, she was clueless in ordering, and insisted that I make the decisions for her. Her movement reminded me of a mouse. It was awkward to walk side by side with her. She felt like a little sister to me, even though I wouldn't know what that feels like. She couldn't use chopsticks. Oh, did I mention that her huge glasses were without lens, merely frames, and that she was 30 minutes late? When I pulled up in a cab she kept asking why I didn't want to go into her alley. I told her that I felt more comfortably waiting for her in the front of the alley and not have to have the cab back out. She kept asking me about that. I was pretty annoyed five minutes after meeting here. She wasn't well put together at all. It seemed like she was babied all of her life. She confessed that she didn't even know how to ride a motorbike. uuhh..
The food was decent, but she couldn't appreciate it. She lacked the refinery to appreciate it. She's scheduled to go to America by the end of this year, even though she barely knows English. She confessed that she didn't really pay attention in school and for the past two years at university, she's spent partying instead of really focused on her English. Her timidness was a big turn off. She doubted herself. She didn't know what Mexico was. She couldn't describe how the food was aside from being delicious. She even forgot that I was from Bien Hoa, even though I mentioned it at least four times prior. When I tried to explain to her that I'm looking for special moments together with the person that I love to be around with. I wasn't exactly looking for a girl to be my girlfriend. I wanted share moments with friends and people I care about. All of that flew in one ear and out the other ear. She said I was "Kho" or my personality is difficult because I was simply too complex for her. She said that girls here want guys to commit to them. She said that if I don't want a girlfriend it means that I'm not faithful guy. I almost hurled the table over and walked out when she said that. What an idiotic thing to say to a person on the first date
For the record, I stopped the meal and told her that I'm the most faithful person in this country, but with the right girl and obviously the right girl wasn't her. It was funny how she told me that I should expand my experiences and try new places and restaurants. Oh the irony. As a joke I asked her if she wanted to come over to my house. She said sure. I LOLed and rescinded my invitation. I don't like girls that are too easy, and that perfume of hers lit my nostrils on fire. The Chinese girl from the previous night was so much more fascinating and intriguing. This one was boring. The Chinese girl was pretty boring too, now that I think of it. I think that's the reason why I elected not to continue anything. Girls here are boring to me. They don't have any interesting hobbies. They're all taught to be conventional and too many loser guys spoil them, which creates expectations that I'll never meet because I'm not that much of a sucker.
To this day, she keeps sending me text messages with broken English. It's such a turn off. I begged her to stop. Ultimately, what put the flames out is that I just have very little in common with the women here. Their hobbies, inspirations, aspirations, goals, dreams, experiences, beliefs, views, opinions, sensitivity, values, and faith do not line up with mine. Despite pretty faces, bodies, glasses without lens, I don't give a rat's ass about those things. Looks can only bring a couple so far. It's all the inner longevity that fuels the relationship. I felt nothing but annoyed throughout these few hours. It was so frustrating trying to explain relationship, cultural, and life concepts to a girl who was pretty, but pretty moronic at the same time. Sure, she was the audience to my comedic show. She was cracking up left and right. I was giving her a free dinner and a free show. Consider that my charity for the week. I like it when people laugh at my jokes. I'm a f'n comedian after all. But at the end of the night, it was a colossal waste of time because I wasn't laughing at my jokes. Anything humourous that came out of my mouth that made her cover her mouth in a roar wasn't intelligent at all. It was all stupidly recycled shit that made me feel so trite and cliche. I have high expectations. The jokes on me. HA HA
H A
HA HA
HA HAHA
HA ha ha
For those of you who tell me that I should try to learn about Vietnamese culture and adhere to the language, then all I can ask you is why should I limit myself? The Vietnamese language is very basic compared to English. The lack of vocabulary makes it routinely elementary. Those of you who claim that you get along with your girlfriend or wife from Vietnam are either FOBs, not emotionally / intellectually sensitive, or you're just too dumb to realize what you're missing from being with someone who can relate to you better than simply just looking good next to you in photos or cooking mediocrity for you to eat. Maybe you're just at an age where you just settled? Next time you try to compare yourself to me and how I'm missing out on love in Vietnam, then I have to ask you one thing. Have you actually lived here or have you just been a tourist with a vacation mindset? Worked grueling hours in the heat here? Do you understand English and Vietnamese as well as me? Are you culturally sensitive to both cultures like me? Do you know the difference between Vietnamese girls in California and Vietnamese girls in Saigon? Do we both value the same principles? Do we share the same expectations on life? Are you and I even remotely close in age? And most importantly are you me? Walk in my shoes first before you preach at me for not being more open or too picky. I have to be picky because the girls here are picky too. They're looking for an older or dumber guy with a more generous wallet. I'm not going to settle for someone who doesn't understand the west because not comprehending western culture, comedy, language, and values is not understanding Kyle Le... dot net. It all comes down to that. You can wrap that up and take it to go.
I'm more than happy being single. Mom and Dad, you should be proud. I'm more than happy being away from all the noise and hos in the land of Ho. Those of you who still wonder why I prefer hanging out with native English speakers and for not hanging out with more local people here, then clearly you have issues with reading comprehension... Life's good. Da Nang next month followed by 13 hour work days until August.
She was insistent on eating Japanese food. I told her that I didn't want to eat at any chain franchised restaurants because that's not real Japanese food. She was fine with that, but then she said she wasn't going to eat anything live. She just wanted the bento box style. Well, only franchised places like MOF or Tokyo Deli usually offers those. When we sat down, she was clueless in ordering, and insisted that I make the decisions for her. Her movement reminded me of a mouse. It was awkward to walk side by side with her. She felt like a little sister to me, even though I wouldn't know what that feels like. She couldn't use chopsticks. Oh, did I mention that her huge glasses were without lens, merely frames, and that she was 30 minutes late? When I pulled up in a cab she kept asking why I didn't want to go into her alley. I told her that I felt more comfortably waiting for her in the front of the alley and not have to have the cab back out. She kept asking me about that. I was pretty annoyed five minutes after meeting here. She wasn't well put together at all. It seemed like she was babied all of her life. She confessed that she didn't even know how to ride a motorbike. uuhh..
The food was decent, but she couldn't appreciate it. She lacked the refinery to appreciate it. She's scheduled to go to America by the end of this year, even though she barely knows English. She confessed that she didn't really pay attention in school and for the past two years at university, she's spent partying instead of really focused on her English. Her timidness was a big turn off. She doubted herself. She didn't know what Mexico was. She couldn't describe how the food was aside from being delicious. She even forgot that I was from Bien Hoa, even though I mentioned it at least four times prior. When I tried to explain to her that I'm looking for special moments together with the person that I love to be around with. I wasn't exactly looking for a girl to be my girlfriend. I wanted share moments with friends and people I care about. All of that flew in one ear and out the other ear. She said I was "Kho" or my personality is difficult because I was simply too complex for her. She said that girls here want guys to commit to them. She said that if I don't want a girlfriend it means that I'm not faithful guy. I almost hurled the table over and walked out when she said that. What an idiotic thing to say to a person on the first date
For the record, I stopped the meal and told her that I'm the most faithful person in this country, but with the right girl and obviously the right girl wasn't her. It was funny how she told me that I should expand my experiences and try new places and restaurants. Oh the irony. As a joke I asked her if she wanted to come over to my house. She said sure. I LOLed and rescinded my invitation. I don't like girls that are too easy, and that perfume of hers lit my nostrils on fire. The Chinese girl from the previous night was so much more fascinating and intriguing. This one was boring. The Chinese girl was pretty boring too, now that I think of it. I think that's the reason why I elected not to continue anything. Girls here are boring to me. They don't have any interesting hobbies. They're all taught to be conventional and too many loser guys spoil them, which creates expectations that I'll never meet because I'm not that much of a sucker.
To this day, she keeps sending me text messages with broken English. It's such a turn off. I begged her to stop. Ultimately, what put the flames out is that I just have very little in common with the women here. Their hobbies, inspirations, aspirations, goals, dreams, experiences, beliefs, views, opinions, sensitivity, values, and faith do not line up with mine. Despite pretty faces, bodies, glasses without lens, I don't give a rat's ass about those things. Looks can only bring a couple so far. It's all the inner longevity that fuels the relationship. I felt nothing but annoyed throughout these few hours. It was so frustrating trying to explain relationship, cultural, and life concepts to a girl who was pretty, but pretty moronic at the same time. Sure, she was the audience to my comedic show. She was cracking up left and right. I was giving her a free dinner and a free show. Consider that my charity for the week. I like it when people laugh at my jokes. I'm a f'n comedian after all. But at the end of the night, it was a colossal waste of time because I wasn't laughing at my jokes. Anything humourous that came out of my mouth that made her cover her mouth in a roar wasn't intelligent at all. It was all stupidly recycled shit that made me feel so trite and cliche. I have high expectations. The jokes on me. HA HA
H A
HA HA
HA HAHA
HA ha ha
For those of you who tell me that I should try to learn about Vietnamese culture and adhere to the language, then all I can ask you is why should I limit myself? The Vietnamese language is very basic compared to English. The lack of vocabulary makes it routinely elementary. Those of you who claim that you get along with your girlfriend or wife from Vietnam are either FOBs, not emotionally / intellectually sensitive, or you're just too dumb to realize what you're missing from being with someone who can relate to you better than simply just looking good next to you in photos or cooking mediocrity for you to eat. Maybe you're just at an age where you just settled? Next time you try to compare yourself to me and how I'm missing out on love in Vietnam, then I have to ask you one thing. Have you actually lived here or have you just been a tourist with a vacation mindset? Worked grueling hours in the heat here? Do you understand English and Vietnamese as well as me? Are you culturally sensitive to both cultures like me? Do you know the difference between Vietnamese girls in California and Vietnamese girls in Saigon? Do we both value the same principles? Do we share the same expectations on life? Are you and I even remotely close in age? And most importantly are you me? Walk in my shoes first before you preach at me for not being more open or too picky. I have to be picky because the girls here are picky too. They're looking for an older or dumber guy with a more generous wallet. I'm not going to settle for someone who doesn't understand the west because not comprehending western culture, comedy, language, and values is not understanding Kyle Le... dot net. It all comes down to that. You can wrap that up and take it to go.
I'm more than happy being single. Mom and Dad, you should be proud. I'm more than happy being away from all the noise and hos in the land of Ho. Those of you who still wonder why I prefer hanging out with native English speakers and for not hanging out with more local people here, then clearly you have issues with reading comprehension... Life's good. Da Nang next month followed by 13 hour work days until August.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Demolition man.
Oh, the essence of getting ready... a night out... an evening dining to only go home with a relatively empty stomach and an even emptier heart. It seems like a repeating cycle. Why do I have to brush my teeth when I have to do it again in like four hours when I go back home before bed? Who am I really trying to impress? Does it even matter? But for your amusement and to remind myself that I'm giving every opportunity for you guys to prove me wrong about my cultural barriers with the women here, I still continue to meet women. I'm so open that despite being sick and uber busy, I still manage to allocate time and resources. If you don't have time to read any further, then allow me to sum up this post in one sentence: I met two girls and went out on two dates back to back nights and realized that I can't stand the girls in Vietnam. Seems cliche. Seems like I've written about this a million times before. Oh well, it's different each time, and the best part is that this is the final time. (I've said that before)
I try my best to spike my hair as high as possible without being too high. I don't want to appear as if I'm trying too hard because then I'll look like a tool with expensive Japanese gel. My heart wants to take a xe om so badly because I want to help men that remind me of my father. I feel guilty for riding in a taxi by myself. Six dollars later, I feel even worse because that's how much some people that I pass on the streets make in a day. Never the less, I have to make sure my hair isn't ruined by a helmet. First impressions are everything. Most girls here would frown upon a guy who took a xe om to see them. Remember, in Vietnam, there are plenty of fools who would throw their parents' money away to impress a girl. I'm fighting an uphill battle here because I'm not stupid and I'm picky. Remember, first impressions are everything.
So I rolled up to a restaurant in District 5, and I'm exactly on time. I waited outside for a little bit as I informed the girl that I was supposed to meet up about my whereabouts. She said she was finally leaving, but she was just a few minutes away. I took a moment to gaze up and already I had doubts of why I was even there. It was 10:00 PM at night and I had to wake up at 6 AM the next morning. This is not like me at all. I live a quiet life committed to my responsibilities. Maybe it was because this girl impressed me with her Cantonese and Mandarin abilities. She spoke flawless Chinese and works as a translator. Her Vietnamese was near perfect. There were brief moments when she spoke Vietnamese like a Chinese. That was actually really interesting. On the phone she seemed very classy. She spoke Vietnamese like a civilized person, which was a breath from the fresh Mien Tay air that I'm so used to and feel repulsed by.
I stared off in the direction that I thought she would be walking up from. I tried to mad dog the streets to feel tougher because I was feeling rather vulnerable at that time. She was two years older and with tattoos. Out of no where I heard a voice from behind say hello and she walked up and walked passed me into the restaurant without stopping. I stood behind and looked at her and uttered a loud, "What the fuck." I don't think this would ever happen in the western world. People stop to talk to each other when they first meet. This was insane. I was already pissed by her apparent rudeness. Then again, she was Chinese, not Vietnamese. She came from two Chinese people who came from two other Chinese people from the Canton regions. I followed her and walked into China, not Vietnam.
The restaurant had decent air conditioning. She was pretty cute and her age showed her definite maturity. After a few rough minutes of not knowing what to say, our conversations continued relatively smoothly. I enjoyed talking to her and learning about her culture and her life as a Hoa person in Vietnam. It's not as hardcore as I thought, but it was still interesting to relate to her understanding of language. She understood exactly what I meant when I told her I was frustrated over not being able to express myself in Vietnamese. She felt the same way, especially with Chinese humor into Vietnamese. It just doesn't translate, she claimed. Despite what we had in common, I already knew there was no chance of anything meaningful.
Here I was sitting across from what many people would consider a "hot girl" or a girl who thinks she's hot stuff in Vietnam. She'll dress like it, and she'll do "hot girl" things. Such as take a taxi, go to clubs, eat at Dinh Ky, buy expensive brands she can't even pronounce. Things like that. I forgot about her looks because I couldn't stand the fact that she goes to clubs often. Her favorite beverage was beer. I don't mind girls drinking from time to time, but the thought of her consuming beer is such a turn off. I don't like party girls. Even though she seemed like she was very well put together and secure with herself, her tendencies to be reckless is a turn off. She told me her friend tattooed her wrist and I could tell her friend was a relative amateur. I love tattoos on women, but not amateur tattoos. Does that make sense? I've always said that I don't like hanging out with goody goody girls, but at the same time, party girls scare me. This wasn't about money at all. She didn't seem money hungry one bit. Out of all the girls that I've had dinner with, she was perhaps the one that I actually paid closes attention to. The Hoa people living in Vietnam is simply interesting to me.
After dinner I still felt hungry because I was too busy talking about myself. I'm sick of talking about myself. I'm sick of talking about what my parents do. I was flat out feeling sick. I caught the flu a day prior and had no right to be going out at night like that. Her maturity level was sky high. I appreciated that. We shared a few moments of laughter. Actually, she did most of the laughing. I'm a f'n comedian.
But I was crying inside. I decided to call it quits even though I was enjoying her company. I'm a walking contradiction. She seemed pretty well rounded, cute, intelligent, mature, culturally aware, but I didn't care. I still don't care. You just can't push love into a mold and expect it to fit perfectly. Love is like a jigsaw puzzle; if the pieces don't fit, a picture will never come out the right way. When she got out of the cab, I knew instantly, she was a nice girl, but I just wasn't into her.
So why not?
To be continued.
I try my best to spike my hair as high as possible without being too high. I don't want to appear as if I'm trying too hard because then I'll look like a tool with expensive Japanese gel. My heart wants to take a xe om so badly because I want to help men that remind me of my father. I feel guilty for riding in a taxi by myself. Six dollars later, I feel even worse because that's how much some people that I pass on the streets make in a day. Never the less, I have to make sure my hair isn't ruined by a helmet. First impressions are everything. Most girls here would frown upon a guy who took a xe om to see them. Remember, in Vietnam, there are plenty of fools who would throw their parents' money away to impress a girl. I'm fighting an uphill battle here because I'm not stupid and I'm picky. Remember, first impressions are everything.
So I rolled up to a restaurant in District 5, and I'm exactly on time. I waited outside for a little bit as I informed the girl that I was supposed to meet up about my whereabouts. She said she was finally leaving, but she was just a few minutes away. I took a moment to gaze up and already I had doubts of why I was even there. It was 10:00 PM at night and I had to wake up at 6 AM the next morning. This is not like me at all. I live a quiet life committed to my responsibilities. Maybe it was because this girl impressed me with her Cantonese and Mandarin abilities. She spoke flawless Chinese and works as a translator. Her Vietnamese was near perfect. There were brief moments when she spoke Vietnamese like a Chinese. That was actually really interesting. On the phone she seemed very classy. She spoke Vietnamese like a civilized person, which was a breath from the fresh Mien Tay air that I'm so used to and feel repulsed by.
I stared off in the direction that I thought she would be walking up from. I tried to mad dog the streets to feel tougher because I was feeling rather vulnerable at that time. She was two years older and with tattoos. Out of no where I heard a voice from behind say hello and she walked up and walked passed me into the restaurant without stopping. I stood behind and looked at her and uttered a loud, "What the fuck." I don't think this would ever happen in the western world. People stop to talk to each other when they first meet. This was insane. I was already pissed by her apparent rudeness. Then again, she was Chinese, not Vietnamese. She came from two Chinese people who came from two other Chinese people from the Canton regions. I followed her and walked into China, not Vietnam.
The restaurant had decent air conditioning. She was pretty cute and her age showed her definite maturity. After a few rough minutes of not knowing what to say, our conversations continued relatively smoothly. I enjoyed talking to her and learning about her culture and her life as a Hoa person in Vietnam. It's not as hardcore as I thought, but it was still interesting to relate to her understanding of language. She understood exactly what I meant when I told her I was frustrated over not being able to express myself in Vietnamese. She felt the same way, especially with Chinese humor into Vietnamese. It just doesn't translate, she claimed. Despite what we had in common, I already knew there was no chance of anything meaningful.
Here I was sitting across from what many people would consider a "hot girl" or a girl who thinks she's hot stuff in Vietnam. She'll dress like it, and she'll do "hot girl" things. Such as take a taxi, go to clubs, eat at Dinh Ky, buy expensive brands she can't even pronounce. Things like that. I forgot about her looks because I couldn't stand the fact that she goes to clubs often. Her favorite beverage was beer. I don't mind girls drinking from time to time, but the thought of her consuming beer is such a turn off. I don't like party girls. Even though she seemed like she was very well put together and secure with herself, her tendencies to be reckless is a turn off. She told me her friend tattooed her wrist and I could tell her friend was a relative amateur. I love tattoos on women, but not amateur tattoos. Does that make sense? I've always said that I don't like hanging out with goody goody girls, but at the same time, party girls scare me. This wasn't about money at all. She didn't seem money hungry one bit. Out of all the girls that I've had dinner with, she was perhaps the one that I actually paid closes attention to. The Hoa people living in Vietnam is simply interesting to me.
After dinner I still felt hungry because I was too busy talking about myself. I'm sick of talking about myself. I'm sick of talking about what my parents do. I was flat out feeling sick. I caught the flu a day prior and had no right to be going out at night like that. Her maturity level was sky high. I appreciated that. We shared a few moments of laughter. Actually, she did most of the laughing. I'm a f'n comedian.
But I was crying inside. I decided to call it quits even though I was enjoying her company. I'm a walking contradiction. She seemed pretty well rounded, cute, intelligent, mature, culturally aware, but I didn't care. I still don't care. You just can't push love into a mold and expect it to fit perfectly. Love is like a jigsaw puzzle; if the pieces don't fit, a picture will never come out the right way. When she got out of the cab, I knew instantly, she was a nice girl, but I just wasn't into her.
So why not?
To be continued.
Friday, May 17, 2013
Like a dead dude.
The 67 has been acting up again. Once I installed larger pistons that resulted in about 120CCs the stock carburetor wasn't up to par. The result was a bike with a throttle that didn't seem very responsive and at times lagging. So back to my familiar mechanic it went... I'm starting to doubt my mechanic's ability, but I really like him and he's been fair and honest with me. The biggest struggles here for a foreigner is to find a mechanic that they can trust. There are too many arrogant or busy shops that won't give me the time to explain exactly what's wrong with my bike without trying to install more than what it potentially needs. Another reason why I always return to this same guy despite his lackluster skills at times, is the fact that his mother who manages the small shop in Binh Chanh, claims that I look exactly like her deceased son. This morning she reiterated this notion again.
The story goes something like this: The night before meeting me, she said that she had a dream about her son bringing me and telling that I'm his little brother. I was decked out in a checkered shirt with a black backpack. The very next day when she came to the shop with lunch and saw me sitting there she said she almost fainted. I looked exactly like how she had imagined in the dream. This was the first time I ever went there because I originally went to the shop next door to get an oil change a few months prior. The second time around I just confused it and went next door to their shop instead. It was surprising to say the least. She didn't say anything to me at that time. It wasn't until many months later did she bring it up. No wonder they're rather nice to me. They all call me teacher. They don't even know my name. They're just so honest with the prices that it pains me, so I always tip their apprentices. Nobody ever tips here. It's f'n Binh Chanh after all.
She claims that I absolutely look like her son who used to work at the shop too, but suddenly collapsed one day and died. Though she commented that I look leaner now and less like him, but everyone in the shop agrees that the resemblance is uncanny. I don't really see it. So today, she brought me across the street to her home and showed me his altar. I snapped a quick photo, and I want you guys to decide. I don't really see it. But she's animate about. Her energy touches me because she said that every day she waits for me to pass by. She misses her son, and she misses me. She pleaded with me that if I ever returned to America to let her know so she wouldn't wait. Wow, I'll never understand this feeling of a mother and a son like this. It's rather unique to me. It's rather interesting. I can't wrap my mink brain about this, simply because I don't think I look like him very much. My dad might look more like him, but then again, all Asians look alike.
You decide.
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
Dinner.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, this blog is not meant to inform or tell you about things. I don't really care too much for that. But.. I have to make an exception today. This is one of the best restaurants in the city. It has an air-conditioned upstairs, that's why. The prices are affordable for the area, and the food is superb. Do try the grilled baby piglets or half of one.
Dinner for three adults and a child was under 50 dollars including some Irish whiskey. Be sure to get there early because this place was such a hustle and bustle. It was packed with people celebrating birthdays, night outs, and massive groups for special occasions. Old Boy thought that it was one of his favorite restaurants. I completely agree thanks to the air-conditioning.
Tuesday, May 14, 2013
New hobby.
I love productive mornings. I have sleep issues that bother me tremendously. My natural body clock wakes me up at around 6 AM. Normally I just try my best to go back to sleep. This morning I woke up and cleaned the dishes, my room, and did laundry. I was living like a pig. Now I'm living like a bird. The dishes have been in the sink for over a week btw. I don't like that. I'm not okay with it. But it only took 30 minutes to do all those chores. I feel good, despite a busy day ahead.
Thanks to a user on YouTube, I was informed of the club of spotters here in Saigon. Spotters refer to people who like to capture airplanes as they land or take off. Naturally, these people congregate near airports so that's exactly where we headed. The taxi ride from Phu My Hung to Go Vap was insanely expensive. But being in Vietnam for as long as Old Boy has been, it didn't matter. I'm a big fan of aviation, but no where near the likes of some of the spotters that I met on top of the coffee shop that over looked the run away. The planes were a bit farther away than I thought, but they were still pretty close.
At first I wondered what the deal was with these people. They seemed to know every airplane, every airliner and when they were bound to arrive. Some guys even had radios to hear incoming flights. They would get excited over certain planes. Old Boy wondered if any of those guys had ever been on a plane.
I remember the excitement I felt when I flew when I was younger. It was such a rare occasion that it had to feel special. Now a days, the charm has transpired. I fly more often than I'd like. But it certainly doesn't feel routine each time I fly.
I thought it was kind of weird at first to spend all day sitting at a coffee shop checking out planes landing every 10 minutes apart. But after a few moments trying to shelter myself from the lingering rain, I realized it. This was amazing. It all starts off in the distance with a bright light. The light grows larger and larger as the plane gets nearer and nearer. Then as the plane arrives in view it's only there for a second. Then it lands and it's over. The anticipation as it heads down is riveting. My heart pounds like a jackhammer. Then it's over after hearing the loud engine noise. You know, that airport noise.
This is why those spotters were so addicted. It makes sense to me now. I'll be back for more.
Thanks to a user on YouTube, I was informed of the club of spotters here in Saigon. Spotters refer to people who like to capture airplanes as they land or take off. Naturally, these people congregate near airports so that's exactly where we headed. The taxi ride from Phu My Hung to Go Vap was insanely expensive. But being in Vietnam for as long as Old Boy has been, it didn't matter. I'm a big fan of aviation, but no where near the likes of some of the spotters that I met on top of the coffee shop that over looked the run away. The planes were a bit farther away than I thought, but they were still pretty close.
At first I wondered what the deal was with these people. They seemed to know every airplane, every airliner and when they were bound to arrive. Some guys even had radios to hear incoming flights. They would get excited over certain planes. Old Boy wondered if any of those guys had ever been on a plane.
I remember the excitement I felt when I flew when I was younger. It was such a rare occasion that it had to feel special. Now a days, the charm has transpired. I fly more often than I'd like. But it certainly doesn't feel routine each time I fly.
I thought it was kind of weird at first to spend all day sitting at a coffee shop checking out planes landing every 10 minutes apart. But after a few moments trying to shelter myself from the lingering rain, I realized it. This was amazing. It all starts off in the distance with a bright light. The light grows larger and larger as the plane gets nearer and nearer. Then as the plane arrives in view it's only there for a second. Then it lands and it's over. The anticipation as it heads down is riveting. My heart pounds like a jackhammer. Then it's over after hearing the loud engine noise. You know, that airport noise.
This is why those spotters were so addicted. It makes sense to me now. I'll be back for more.
Monday, May 13, 2013
Iron Man Revelations.
Watching movies are a great way to escape the harsh realities of the fray. I find myself circa 1920s except its 2013, and I wish movies were as cheap as the beginning of the Talkies era. From time to time I do like to catch a movie. The Coke at the movies is a much higher quality than the normal stuff found everywhere else in Vietnam. I think it might be imported or something, it tastes much more like soda from America with that extra carbon. Name brand sodas like 7 Up or even Pepsi are definitely downgraded here in Southeast Asia. Once you open them up and leave them out for a bit the carbon is absolutely gone. I can pop open up and chug it down like they do on TV. In America, my throat would burn from all that fizz. But, I digress, recently, I had a chance to watch a movie with a local girl and this moment only reconfirmed what I've already confirmed:
I can't be with a girl here due to cultural barriers
Iron Man is not simply an action movie. There are subtle jokes embedded that simply get lost in translation. At times I was the only person laughing at certain remarks by Tony Starks. No one else laughed. The translation completely lost all of its humor. This is where I want to analogize me and my interactions here with how the people simply didn't appreciate those jokes. I'm not appreciated here for my sense of humor simply because I'm not funny in an intellectual way in Vietnam. I might be funny for not knowing certain things. I might be funny for doing risky things. I might be funny because I look funny. Nevertheless, witty humor isn't an attribute that girls look for here. Even if they did, they wouldn't understand me enough to know just how or who I am. As the movie raged on, more lines were uttered and laughed at by me. At the movie raged on, I realized that the person I was sitting next to only appreciated the movie for its action sequences. This is why the movie selection at theatres in Vietnam are so limited to kids stuff or action flicks. Anything worthy of an Oscar won't find its way here. It's not like the people are dumb, it's more like the lack of cultural experiences mean relative disinterest.
Some of you less westernized than others will argue that I can just teach a girl here about American culture. I'm sorry to say, but some things you can't teach. Some things you just have to experience it for yourselves from a young age. I've said it before and I've said it again, I'm highly selective with the women here because I don't want to waste time or money being near someone that I can't be myself with. Without understanding English in a culturally aware context and pronouncing words correctly, then what's the point? Why sit through dull conversations about repetitive things? How about if I just switch over to Vietnamese? Despite knowing the language really well, there are many things I can't express in Vietnamese. One of those things is a kind of perverted, crass, and passive/aggressive humor that I'm fond of. Give it up to the white dudes who can turn a blind eye towards their girlfriends or wife's relative lack of a meaningful relationship with them.
This issue was never relevant to me back home. The issue of language trumping every factor, including love rings true in my books. Culture is a by-product of that and sadly, I can't turn off America for Vietnam just because I happen to be in Vietnam. Many of you FOBs out there can. But at the end of the day you all know I'm right. I'll never settle for a girl here unless she was super cute with a good body, super wealthy, or went to international schools all her life. Then again, why would a girl with any of those three requirements want a guy like me? Hahaha. This doesn't mean my door is closed to meet girls in Vietnam. If it was, then I might as well shut this blog down. I'll play it safe and rather spend time with my English fluent homies. Now some of you will think this is pretty lame, but honestly, a truly Americanized Vietnamese American would find the local girls here repulsive. Do I have to start naming reasons? Make up? Clothes? Lack of English abilities? Oh well, this isn't about that. It's about me reminding you guys that being single in Vietnam is better than wasting precious time and money away on someone that won't give back. Laying stomach up like a starfish for two minutes isn't considered giving back.
Btw, the last few minutes of Iron Man 3 sucked big time.
www.facebook.com/KyleLe.net
I can't be with a girl here due to cultural barriers
Iron Man is not simply an action movie. There are subtle jokes embedded that simply get lost in translation. At times I was the only person laughing at certain remarks by Tony Starks. No one else laughed. The translation completely lost all of its humor. This is where I want to analogize me and my interactions here with how the people simply didn't appreciate those jokes. I'm not appreciated here for my sense of humor simply because I'm not funny in an intellectual way in Vietnam. I might be funny for not knowing certain things. I might be funny for doing risky things. I might be funny because I look funny. Nevertheless, witty humor isn't an attribute that girls look for here. Even if they did, they wouldn't understand me enough to know just how or who I am. As the movie raged on, more lines were uttered and laughed at by me. At the movie raged on, I realized that the person I was sitting next to only appreciated the movie for its action sequences. This is why the movie selection at theatres in Vietnam are so limited to kids stuff or action flicks. Anything worthy of an Oscar won't find its way here. It's not like the people are dumb, it's more like the lack of cultural experiences mean relative disinterest.
Some of you less westernized than others will argue that I can just teach a girl here about American culture. I'm sorry to say, but some things you can't teach. Some things you just have to experience it for yourselves from a young age. I've said it before and I've said it again, I'm highly selective with the women here because I don't want to waste time or money being near someone that I can't be myself with. Without understanding English in a culturally aware context and pronouncing words correctly, then what's the point? Why sit through dull conversations about repetitive things? How about if I just switch over to Vietnamese? Despite knowing the language really well, there are many things I can't express in Vietnamese. One of those things is a kind of perverted, crass, and passive/aggressive humor that I'm fond of. Give it up to the white dudes who can turn a blind eye towards their girlfriends or wife's relative lack of a meaningful relationship with them.
This issue was never relevant to me back home. The issue of language trumping every factor, including love rings true in my books. Culture is a by-product of that and sadly, I can't turn off America for Vietnam just because I happen to be in Vietnam. Many of you FOBs out there can. But at the end of the day you all know I'm right. I'll never settle for a girl here unless she was super cute with a good body, super wealthy, or went to international schools all her life. Then again, why would a girl with any of those three requirements want a guy like me? Hahaha. This doesn't mean my door is closed to meet girls in Vietnam. If it was, then I might as well shut this blog down. I'll play it safe and rather spend time with my English fluent homies. Now some of you will think this is pretty lame, but honestly, a truly Americanized Vietnamese American would find the local girls here repulsive. Do I have to start naming reasons? Make up? Clothes? Lack of English abilities? Oh well, this isn't about that. It's about me reminding you guys that being single in Vietnam is better than wasting precious time and money away on someone that won't give back. Laying stomach up like a starfish for two minutes isn't considered giving back.
Btw, the last few minutes of Iron Man 3 sucked big time.
www.facebook.com/KyleLe.net
Saturday, May 11, 2013
Fast days, slow nights.
There were moments in life when I wondered why time doesn't progress fast enough. Now, I wish I could slow things down. My days are full, my evenings are full, and my nights are spent recuperating. Something's gotta give. I have to have more leisure time. I can't take back my weekends. But I have to commit to Mondays being off days. Lately, I'm unable to do that.
Things with the Myanmar video has been a standstill because I'm actually looking for and awaiting approval from independent Myanmar rappers to feature as background music. I normally don't go out of my way to do this, but Myanmar music is awesome. I want the world to experience it as well. Trust me, long bus rides from Yangon to Bagon weren't that bad with pleasant music.
The internet here and with others around me, have been incredibly slow. I don't quite understand why. It's never been this bad. Going on Facebook has been a complete pain in the ass.
Speaking of Facebook, do check out and like the Facebook fan page. It'll be worth your time, trust me.
I recently went to the Cu Chi Tunnels the other day because Old Boy has never been there despite living in Vietnam for so long. The morning started off too early. With only three hours sleep, I actually overslept my alarm and rushed out without showering or brushing my teeth. Yikes!!! The bus ride was enjoyable. I always prefer riding in a tourist style bus because it makes me feel like a tourist. From time to time, I like to pretend that I'm a tourist in Vietnam and at the end of my excursion, I get to go home. There were plenty of British folks like always on board, and our tour guide was actually pretty pleasant this time around. It wasn't so bad.
Then we got to the tunnels, and it was hot and humid. Old Boy, despite his tattoos, isn't much of a nature person. He doesn't like physical activity. Crawling in the tunnels was pretty painful for him. It wasn't that pleasant. Many years ago during my first trip to Vietnam, the tunnels felt a lot bigger and it was definitely easy to crawl through them. Speaking of such, I can't help but comprehend how the times have changed. If you told me then that I would be one day living abroad like this, I would laugh out loud. I wish I could laugh out loud now. I can't help but be sentimental when I think back. I was so anxious to go to Vietnam for the first time, but I left with such disdain that kept me away from Vietnam for five years. Damn... those were the days.
I've decided that I'm going to check out Da Nang and Hoi An next month. It's totally worth it because I can film. Taking days off from my commitments is tremendously difficult. What's likely going to happen is that I'll be there for four days or so. I have a few connections in Da Nang, but being in Hoi An by myself will be unbearably sad. Hoi An was the reason why I decided to go come back to Vietnam two years ago. In fact, some of my fondest members of Vietnam were strolling through the streets with such a special girl. For those if you who know what I'm talking about and saw the original Vietnam By Myself video, then you'll know exactly who I'm referring. For those of you who don't then stay tuned. It's been many years since then, but I'm still here trying to recapture those moments. She's moved way on. I still haven't.
Things with the Myanmar video has been a standstill because I'm actually looking for and awaiting approval from independent Myanmar rappers to feature as background music. I normally don't go out of my way to do this, but Myanmar music is awesome. I want the world to experience it as well. Trust me, long bus rides from Yangon to Bagon weren't that bad with pleasant music.
The internet here and with others around me, have been incredibly slow. I don't quite understand why. It's never been this bad. Going on Facebook has been a complete pain in the ass.
Speaking of Facebook, do check out and like the Facebook fan page. It'll be worth your time, trust me.
I recently went to the Cu Chi Tunnels the other day because Old Boy has never been there despite living in Vietnam for so long. The morning started off too early. With only three hours sleep, I actually overslept my alarm and rushed out without showering or brushing my teeth. Yikes!!! The bus ride was enjoyable. I always prefer riding in a tourist style bus because it makes me feel like a tourist. From time to time, I like to pretend that I'm a tourist in Vietnam and at the end of my excursion, I get to go home. There were plenty of British folks like always on board, and our tour guide was actually pretty pleasant this time around. It wasn't so bad.
Then we got to the tunnels, and it was hot and humid. Old Boy, despite his tattoos, isn't much of a nature person. He doesn't like physical activity. Crawling in the tunnels was pretty painful for him. It wasn't that pleasant. Many years ago during my first trip to Vietnam, the tunnels felt a lot bigger and it was definitely easy to crawl through them. Speaking of such, I can't help but comprehend how the times have changed. If you told me then that I would be one day living abroad like this, I would laugh out loud. I wish I could laugh out loud now. I can't help but be sentimental when I think back. I was so anxious to go to Vietnam for the first time, but I left with such disdain that kept me away from Vietnam for five years. Damn... those were the days.
I've decided that I'm going to check out Da Nang and Hoi An next month. It's totally worth it because I can film. Taking days off from my commitments is tremendously difficult. What's likely going to happen is that I'll be there for four days or so. I have a few connections in Da Nang, but being in Hoi An by myself will be unbearably sad. Hoi An was the reason why I decided to go come back to Vietnam two years ago. In fact, some of my fondest members of Vietnam were strolling through the streets with such a special girl. For those if you who know what I'm talking about and saw the original Vietnam By Myself video, then you'll know exactly who I'm referring. For those of you who don't then stay tuned. It's been many years since then, but I'm still here trying to recapture those moments. She's moved way on. I still haven't.
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