Outside In

Beach Weather Sunny and 26 with a cooling breeze and the beach was calling. So I scooted over in 10 minutes.  The gig economy may have started years ago in SE Asia. A huge percentage of people here run their own businesses. The unemployment rate is 2.24 %. Canada's is 6.67. However consider this - when I got to the beach I paid 10 000D to park. There were three teams of people madly waving passing traffic to come to their specific lot. Then a gentleman who was lopping off the tops of coconuts with a machete and popping in a straw (machete in his right hand, holding the coconut in his left, yikes) offered me a drink for 30 000D. Then as I got closer to the actual beach a lady offered one of dozens of "kindergarten" chairs for 20 000D and would also bring a drink and food for a price. So are these people termed employed? Are they authorized to managed their slice of the beach pie? Not that it matters to me. I'm impressed by the initiative demonstrated. The beach reminde...

Happy Lunar New Year! I spent last evening on the main river with thousands of others to ring in the New Year - the year of the snake according to the Asian zodiac. Any child born this year will be a snake. My 1949 birth year makes me an Ox - and you can stop laughing right now Ted! The Vietnamese have been prepping for weeks, sprucing up properties, buildings, even washing their scooters. The new year here is a time to remember bygone family and friends, the joys of the past year, to forget the sorrows and to heal rifts with family and friends and start those relationships anew. The kumquat tree is one symbol of renewal. As we have Christmas tree farms, they have Kumquat tree farms. This strain of fruit is not edible for humans.  People put out shrines and no offering is too small or common.  The waterfront was a riot of lanterns, lights, music, boats and people. While the Viets were the majority, I was totally surprised by the huge number of western visitors like me.  I...

Foodie Heaven  I find Viet food less flavourful overall than Thai and Cambodian. Healthy for sure but not the same use of spices. There are 5 distinct noodle regions in the country and specific foods are served with the different varieties.  And yes, I have seen frog on a few menus.  On Sunday, I found a mom and pop restaurant on Sunday (unless situated in a major hotel or resort, they're all mom and pops) that had a wider variety of choices. The "side" salad, which was huge had a vinaigrette that was divine. Subtle flavours dancing around on the palate. The lemongrass and slightly sweet chilli tofu dish with onions, carrots and cucumber was like opening a door of earthly delights. I mixed the rice with it and managed with chopsticks almost to the end and used a spoon to get the last little bits. And it didn't lay heavy in the stomach. I lingered over the meal for a good forty minutes just savouring the vibe. Including the beer and tip, it cost me $8.00.  There were ...