Thursday, July 29, 2004
Danang Trip
OK, this is take two, because the Internet connection is so bad that I was not able to load my earlier posting.
I am at the American Library, a neat little corner of America tucked into the library at the University of Danang. Except for the slow net connection, the place is a little haven of 500 plus books and 40 magazine titles on American society, values and culture.
Staying at the Bach Dang Hotel overlooking the river. The hotel is fine for me--clean, well-lighted bathroom and bedroom, cheap minibar prices (30 cents for water and soda), and an ornate receiving room adjoining my bedroom. I was originally in a VIP suite that had a NASA-style shower--computerized, chrome and glass--and so fancy neither I nor housekeeping could figure out how to use it.
In the mornings, after taking a quick glass of OJ and chunk of bread from the bewildered waitresses in the hotel restaurant (the Viet style is to sit and have a decent, civilized, filling breakfast of beef noodle soup) I run out the door and along the riverside for two or three miles or so. It's clean, fresh air, with mostly bicycles or small-engined motorcycles puttering along on the boulevard.
I am at the American Library, a neat little corner of America tucked into the library at the University of Danang. Except for the slow net connection, the place is a little haven of 500 plus books and 40 magazine titles on American society, values and culture.
Staying at the Bach Dang Hotel overlooking the river. The hotel is fine for me--clean, well-lighted bathroom and bedroom, cheap minibar prices (30 cents for water and soda), and an ornate receiving room adjoining my bedroom. I was originally in a VIP suite that had a NASA-style shower--computerized, chrome and glass--and so fancy neither I nor housekeeping could figure out how to use it.
In the mornings, after taking a quick glass of OJ and chunk of bread from the bewildered waitresses in the hotel restaurant (the Viet style is to sit and have a decent, civilized, filling breakfast of beef noodle soup) I run out the door and along the riverside for two or three miles or so. It's clean, fresh air, with mostly bicycles or small-engined motorcycles puttering along on the boulevard.
Monday, July 26, 2004
Danang
Going up to Danang soon for the second US Navy ship visit to Vietnam since the end of the War. It's been officially approved by all concerned parties, so it looks like this historic visit--the first to Danang since the early 1970s--is a go. I may have trouble finding connectivity while up there, but if I am anywhere near email I will post updates.
Saturday, July 24, 2004
Cal's New Thing
www.NationStates.net is an interactive, nation-building exercise that Cal discovered from his friend Boris while at summer camp in Leysin. I think he's gotten beyond his Age of Empires phase.
Tuesday, July 20, 2004
Where I'm At
Going to Hanoi for a couple of days. Will blog from up there, time allowing. Did you see that MSFT just announced a one-time $3/share offer and an ambitious buyback plan? Are those guys and ladies from the Street or from Redmond? Very sharp.
Friday, July 16, 2004
Very Tiny Frodo
The family came back last night, and among their treasures was a portable DVD player. While many of you have already tried them, this morning was my first time to snap in a disc of the Lord of the Rings. The ultimate in laziness, I lay on the couch and nested the player within good viewing range. Frodo and Gollum chased each other across my stomach and crazed Uruk-hai screams echoed through my headphones. Two fat books sat unread next to me, and my daughter implored me to listen to her story about camping out. I played half the movie and hit the stop button almost as reluctantly as Frodo surrendered the Ring to the fires of Mordor.
Good grief, what's next, video brain implants?
Good grief, what's next, video brain implants?
Presidential Campaign Reality Check
www.factCheck.org This seems to be a non-partisan effort from the U. of Pennsylvania to verify the facts underlying claims made by the various parties during the US preisdential campaign.
Wednesday, July 14, 2004
YLT in NYC
A message from Yo La Tengo, the best band ever to emerge from New Jersey:
Hey there all of you in the New York City area. And if you're not, you can stop reading now. Or not, it's up to you. We're going to play two shows at the Anthology Film Archives this Friday night, accompanying the light show of Gary Panter and Joshua White. We'll be behind the screen, imrpovising away. More information at:
http://www.anthologyfilmarchives.org/index2.html
Hey there all of you in the New York City area. And if you're not, you can stop reading now. Or not, it's up to you. We're going to play two shows at the Anthology Film Archives this Friday night, accompanying the light show of Gary Panter and Joshua White. We'll be behind the screen, imrpovising away. More information at:
http://www.anthologyfilmarchives.org/index2.html
Tuesday, July 13, 2004
Sentimentality
Getting nostalgic already--many of my friends are already moving on to new horizons, and within another year we will be too. This has definitely been the most enjoyable and fascinating place we have ever stayed.
Monday, July 12, 2004
Maybe it fell off the coconut telegraph
Some friends went to slurp down coconut worms last night. They look like giant maggots and are eaten live. First you let them soak in hot pepper sauce and then you toss them down your throat, but sometimes they fight back. I was not there to witness the delightful experience. I have pics; you can email me at staticvoid@hotmail.com and I can send them to you.
Sunday, July 11, 2004
Back in the Big City
Got back to the City after two more days in Phan Thiet, this time for work as we hammer out the details for a cultural preservation project. Took a few minutes out to snap photos of folks brigning in their fishing nets on the beach. Used my old Nikon FM-2n, so it'll be a couple of days before I post them.
Ed's Tips
Thinking about homeschooling? Get Ed Stoffel's
10 Quick Steps to Homeschooling:
http://www.10quicksteps.com/homeschool/stoffel/
10 Quick Steps to Homeschooling:
http://www.10quicksteps.com/homeschool/stoffel/
Friday, July 09, 2004
Phan Thiet Redux
Going back up to Phan Thiet, this time to visit some wonderful Cham Kingdom ruins and relics. Will write again on Sunday night or Monday.
Tuesday, July 06, 2004
Tracking News on VN
www.IntellAsia.com
Useful if you are a Vietnam news junkie. Very comprehensive--and free.
Useful if you are a Vietnam news junkie. Very comprehensive--and free.
Don Adams
Amazing Fulbright scholar Don Adams' final Vietnam essay, 2 new poems, and a few new pics are at:
http://zenoadams.freewebpage.org/index.htm
http://zenoadams.freewebpage.org/index.htm
Monday, July 05, 2004
From the coconut telegraph...
Just got back from three days in Phan Thiet, just a few hours up the coast from the City. It's still hard to spot a single locally owned car around there. You can see farmers biking to the market with baskets of dragon fruit tied to each side. Smell fish sauce permeating every pore and sidewalk crack in town. Hear the sound of kids playing on the beach and digging up worm-like delicacies burrowing deep in the sand. Best of all, breathe fresh salt-choked air and sit in Coi Rieng cafe sipping tea and feeling like you are definitely far, far away from the City .
Want some more flavors from Vietnam? Check out poet Joe Duemer's highly textured web site, dubbed Sharp Sand, at ChuJoe.net
Want some more flavors from Vietnam? Check out poet Joe Duemer's highly textured web site, dubbed Sharp Sand, at ChuJoe.net
