Saigon

alive and well...just eating some raw pigs ears and green papya salad



In other news...hair is a curly blonde mop. sweating from every pore. developing a sinus infection from the polution. dodging a million scooters. taking refuge from the heat in worlds largest mall. this city is crazy...

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Location:Ly Tu Trong,,Vietnam

Airport Food

Bangkok Int'l...



-WIN

the Holy Quad:





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Location:Nong Prue,Thailand

tUk-Tuk

WARNING: It is 5am, I can't sleep, so I am writing..this is going to be a long one..get a cup of coffee.

Survived day one of travel. Spent the day exploring Bangkok. and by golly, explore we did. Wandering the streets, looking somewhat discombobulated, a very nice Thai man pointed out the Bangkok map posted to a stop light. Kindly, I replied we were just wandering. In true Thai fashion he offered up a bucket load of good advice. Apparently the Thai government was running some special, where for 30baht (that's ONE DOLLAR people) a tuk-tuk would drive you around Bangkok to all the major tourist sites -and a few attempts to get you to buy gems, suits, etc-. HOLY CRAP! I replied and we quickly jumped in the next Tuk-Tuk. Let it be known that a tuk-tuk is a three-wheeled contraption outfitted with a quite comfortable seat in the back, is decorated brightly, and speeds through the traffic of Bangkok like on a death mission. (sorry mom, don't worry, I survived) I have determined that no matter what the books say, this is the best way to see the city. You can reach out and touch the car next to you, get covered in exhaust and dirt, and get all the smells and sounds which are so necessary for a sucessful Bangkok experience. Be warned, the tuk-tuk driver WILL try to rip you off. Negotiate price FIRST, and be ready to walk away (thanks Dad for that lesson). I guarantee they won't let you. You will win.

Our tuk-tuk driver, by the way, was AWESOME. He chauffered us around Bangkok with true professionalism. We saw all the major Buddhist Temples, but to be honest, I had much more fun cruising around in our little tuk-tuk. Plus, lets not lie, we are on a mission for food here, not temples; and let me tell you, food was delivered. Breakfast consisted of fried rice created by the cutest little thai woman on the street outside the first temple we visited. A huge wok, fresh veggies, and a ton of chilies equals the best breakfast so far. Sitting on a plastic stool, we quickly covered our rice with the necessary condiments, all set out for our use. Chilie oil, dried chilies, fish sauce, salt, and more chilies. YUM. I alsmot cried I was so happy.

Who has a custom tailored thai silk suit? yeeeaaahh...thats right, Lauren does. and for an insanely cheap price. I couldn't resist. Big-Girl job interviews, you have no idea what is coming. While drinking a nice cold thai beer, Chase and I were measured and covered with different fabrics. Half hour later, we walked out of the shop with the promise of a sweet. sweet suit upon on our return to Bangkok. dig it.

After walking around to the multiple restaurants located in our hotel (we upgraded..this place is nice) determined checking out the 7-11 at end of street was our best bet. Let it be known that 7-11 in Bangkok are my new favorite place. Maybe it is the small plastic stools, under a bright flurocent light with traffic flying by at high speed. Or could be the exhaustion and humidity causing delirium. Whatever it is, those noodles tasted like they fell from heaven. and for one dollar. I am telling you people, if you come to Asia and eat at the hotel you are an IDIOT.

Today we leave for Saigon, Vietnam.. I am BEYOND excited. Return to Bangkok on the 26th (for you mom) Now off to do some sunrise yoga on the roof. yeah...you are jealous. :) bissous!

Bankok

Dear Asia: I love you. It is good to be back. Hot. Humid. Scooters running everywhere. Almost running you over. Food stalls. Foreign languages. People trying to sell you EVERYTHING.

Survived the twenty something hours of travel. Tired but oh so excited to start exploring. Right now in the tourist mecca of bangkok. Trying desperatly to get out of here and find our way to a legitimate cafe. Instant coffe, a steaming bowl of noodles, and people watching; here I come.

One day in Bankok then off to Saigon. excited! Hope all is well on the home front.

xoxo
L

"What the hell is 'Sea-Tac'??"

1:04 pm. Pacific time. Location: Seattle airport, gate S9. Status: bored shitless. Arrived, early, to Seattle to find our flight to Bangkok delayed until 3pm. That left us with a five hour layover. WOOOHOO! So, what to do? Why, take a culinary tour of Sea-Tac Int'l airport, of course! After navigating the MULTIPLE trams, we found the main terminal where we settled at Anthony's Fish House. Fish is big around here, by the way. For example, my bloody mary came with a shrimp floating on top. That was a first.

Ate fried oysters for the first time. Not my favorite. Which is kind of weird considering I could eat a million raw oysters in one sitting. Chewy texture...odd flavor. Not for me. So I ate the bread instead. While noshing on some generic, dry white bread, we began to talk about the delicious food awaiting us in Vietnam. The main topic was what we would and would not be willing to eat. I immediately said any domesticated pet is off limits. Chase went with horse. However, after more contemplation, we determined that a dog, infact, would be ok to try. But only a lazy dog. Like the kind that doesn't run, or play, just sits around in the shade under a tree all day. Otherwise the meat would just be too lean, and therefore not worth eating. Cats are too nimble and quick. Plus, I don't like their attitude. So no cats, but maybe a lazy dog....

Off to try and con my way into a window seat, get all the necessary travel goodies, and retrieve Chase from the bar. Next up, BANGKOK!

यात्रा.viajes.TRAVEL.voyage.ταξίδι.

Every six months of so it hits. An itch. Constant anxiety, almost. Only curable by boarding a plane. A plane going anywhere. I travel. That is what I do; who I am. Granted, most of those planes are taking me back to Minnesota, or to visit Grandma, but none the less, I am traveling. Moving, exploring. Seeing something new. Could be that annoying characteristic which makes me question everything; a need to constantly be learning. Or maybe it is my inability to face any emotional "issues", resulting in me fleeing the current location. quickly. Whatever it is, I need to travel, meet new people, try new foods. It has been over two years since the last adventure. Last trip was to India. India changed my view on the world; and had me refocus my priorities in life and adventures. It also created an unending interest in Asian culture. and food. Now, I am lucky enough to be off on another adventure. This time to Vietnam and Thailand.

Vietnam has been high on my list for years. Mainly because of the FOOD. I fully intend to eat my way through the country. No food stall left behind, no bahn mi or pho abandoned. I also plan to wear dresses or stretchy pants as a disgusting weight gain is only to be expected. Pepto, immodium...my new best friends. This blog thing will be used to make all of you jealous. or not jealous. whatever. Please take note: I am new to this whole blogging thing. That is, if anyone is even reading this. I tend to be a private person. So don't expect daily updates. In fact, I expect this whole project to be abandoned by day three. Wish me luck. BON VOYAGE!

Peeling The Onion

Cath wins. No matter how much I try to rebel - Cath always wins. So here it is. A blog. Just for you, Mom. Purpose of this adventure: to chronicle my travels through Vietnam and Thailand. Secondary purpose: to share, praise, whine, and laugh about my life.

So welcome. Join in my quest to peel the onion that is my life. (and deal with all the cheesy crap I come up with)