Sat - January 7, 2006

On my way to Vietnam


I'm in Changi International Airport in Singapore, with free broadband connections for laptops, so I thought I'd post my first Vietnam entry. I created a new category in the Zavelogue for all of my entries while in Vietnam. Maybe I'll ask Marion to send me emails about what's happening in Kerala while I'm away so I can post them.

Posted at 04:56 PM     Read More  

Sun - January 8, 2006

Hanoi first impression


I'm sitting in the lobby of the Melia Hotel Hanoi waiting for some snafu with my registration to be corrected. A month in India has taught me some patience, so rather than fret I'm sitting down to put down some initial thoughts about Hanoi and Vietnam.

Posted at 01:56 AM     Read More  

Mon - January 9, 2006

Pictures of Day 1 in Hanoi


I have lots to write about, but at the end of a long day of sightseeing and a long dinner with two Vietnamese, I'm ready for bed. These pictures, with brief captions, express a little of what I experienced today.

Posted at 08:07 AM     Read More  

Wed - January 11, 2006

Hanoi Day 2


I've crammed a lot into the last few days here in Hanoi, even though I was supposed to be attending a conference Monday through today. But I've been putting the research I'm doing, as well as some sightseeing, ahead of the conference, which has been a little disappointing. So in this post I'll describe a little bit about what I've been up to.

Posted at 02:05 AM     Read More  

Hanoi Day 3


On Day 3 I tried to attend a session of the conference, but no one showed up. I met with another contact working on the A.O. issue, and had dinner at the apartment of Chau, the photojournalist I met the night before.

Posted at 03:09 AM     Read More  

Hanoi Markets and Signs


Hanoi's markets are amazing. Except in the suburbs, I haven't seen anything remotely like a supermarket, or even grocery store. Everyone must shop from the fresh produce and meat offered at the open air markets. Of course, the downside to this is that hygiene standards are not terribly high, which may be part of the reason Vietnam was hit first, and hardest, by bird flu.

Posted at 05:01 AM     Read More  

Fri - January 13, 2006

A quick farewell to Hanoi


I'm leaving the Viet Anh Hotel in a few minutes and may not have Internet access again until I'm in Singapore, so I wanted to post a quick good bye to Hanoi. It's been a great visit, except for the fact that I got a nasty cold. The Vietnamese are warm, welcoming, and good-natured (despite a girl fight I saw break out in a market one day).

Posted at 07:06 PM     Read More  

Sat - January 14, 2006

Some reflections on Vietnam


It probably sounds like a cliché, or even patronizing, but I'll say it anyway. Despite centuries of conflict and suffering in Vietnam, especially at the hands of Americans, the Vietnamese not only harbor no animosity or anger towards Americans, but they are genuinely warm and welcoming. I asked one person I interviewed why this is. It's a question, he said, that Vietnamese are asked often. His answer was insightful.

Posted at 01:31 AM     Read More  

©