When in Rome.

I know...I know...but when you gotta go you gotta go and in Saigon any wall is a good wall for a pee!

My Zen Place

Those who have followed our previous blog about our adventures in Cambodia may remember me going out with Mr Phea to buy some original art. I finally found some stunning oils painted by quite a famous local artist in Phnom Penh. You will probably also remember that Mr Phea informed me that the 60USD I paid for them was very expensive and that was a months work for him...but that is a whole other blog! So, as we knew we were coming to Vietnam before we left Cambodia, I left them rolled up to get framed when we arrived. Nick had never even seen them. Nick has just gotten back from a few days in, you guessed it, Cambodia, and I had them framed and hung while he was gone. They are very special to me as it will remain one of my fondest memories spending the morning with Mr Phea searching the city for something that grabbed me. A real moment in time. You can imagine my delight at how wonderful they now look up on the wall here. Nick absolutely loved them. To top it all off, he bought me back as a gift from Cambodia the most MAGNIFICENT hand carved stone buddha head. So my little Zen corner is complete, almost. I want to raise up stone Buddha a bit and get some candles happening, but for now, I just sit there and reflect and remember and count my blessings, ignore the screaming children, and, (just for a minute or two anyway), I am at peace.

A Room Fit For A Princess.

These beautiful Beatrix Potter prints were given to us upon the birth of one of our kids and for the life of me I can't remember which. I am ashamed to say I think it was Quiddy. They were given to us by the wonderful Terry and Georgie, friends of the Moggy family for many years. I have always loved them (the prints AND the Terry and Georgie!) but just never got around to getting them framed. When I came across them in the "pack up" I thought it was the perfect opportunity. So over they came and I have since FINALLY had them framed and placed in Scarletts room. They look stunning and she LOVES them! Her room is really starting to come together as a proper little girls space now. Where did my baby go?

Enough To Make You Sick.

It was a worry when we came across this in the supermarket yesterday. I guess I just forget that we have more stringent rules in Aus when it comes to this. Brand upon brand, box upon box of pure, unadulterated MSG! Makes me think twice when eating out about what is going into our food. I had Quyen with me and she assures me that in the Moger house stock is used and there is definitely no MSG! Damn, now I can't blame the kids bad behaviour on food additives....

Gotta love it!

Gotta love the answer I received when suggesting that they change the out and in arrows at the front of the building to reflect that the road is now one way. Presently you have to pretty much do half a U- turn to get to the in driveway. This was the response I got:

In regards to your suggestion for arrows in the building main entrance, please note that it has been already submitted by the management office to the investors but that is against feng-shui rules that also are responsible of the absence of a 13^th floor and of the presence of a tiny step at the front door of the main entrance. Therefore, there is unfortunately no chance for the change.

Gold.....

Ever Wondered How to Roll a Cuban?

We had a great night on Tuesday night at the Caravelle Hotel. The special occasion was Cuban night. Cuban music, dancing, free Mojitos for the ladies...and a real honest to goodness Cuban Cigar rolling dude! (resplendent with moustache and all!) The above shows how the magic is really done with Nick enjoying the fruits of the labour. Gotta love what you can get away with in a Socialist Republic!

A Few Traffic Shots

Public Toilet

Ever wondered what a public toilet looks like in Saigon. Probably not as bad as you were expecting! They are little one or two toilets jobs that are manned therefore I assume they are relatively clean. I am not sure how much they cost as there is no way on Gods green earth I am going in. And just in case you wanted to buy something to eat from the lady that cleans the toilet...all conveniently attached!

Local Pets

This is Mai.  She was a little girl who was the daughter of the vendor that I bought some silk cushion covers off.  She very kindly offered to let me play with her pet!  I am not too sure if it is a cockroach or a cricket.  I am hoping for the former.  As she lovingly stroked its feelers or what ever the hell they are and let it climb all over her body, I politely declined.  I'll do just about anything for a good price but I have to draw the line somewhere!

Saigon Bottle Shop

Ah Ha!  Gotcha.  You thought it was me and more alcohol!  This takes on a whole new meaning.