Jun 2008

For a spanking $9. Imaginate.

Us ladies decided to take the day off today. We figured that is exactly what we needed/deserved after 10 days of paradise with Cat's padres. Off for a pedicure and a wash, cut,and blowdry. We really broke the bank there. All for under $10! Have you ever had 4 people dry your hair?!? Because Cat and I did today. Nutso.

These Vietnamese people are just the sweetest. I really do love this place and recommend it to anyone. We are in this tiny town in the mountains and everyone is just so nice. They may have guessed Cnut's gender incorrectly, but hey, we can forgive anything.

They all remember us though and wave at us on the street. I mean I don't understand why, since we all just totally fit-in. I mean a 6 foot white girl? They are everywhere in Asia...

Off to Hanoi tomorrow. Capital of Northern Vietnam. Should be an adventure. Us lazy-butts opted to fly. Guess we are not as adventurous as we seem, but I promise, we still take cold showers!

Gros Bisous,
Cristina

Today was a fabulous day for Vietnam. Or I mean us. We ran into a boisterous crowd of Vietnamese Christian tourists, who led us in song and dance. Here we found out many things: that the Hurley's in fact do fit-in inAsia, see exhibit A:

Cat is actually the Mekong Queen:

And Cnuts looks fabulous in hats:

All wonderful lessons in this beautiful country.

We also learned some extremely interesting facts. For example, 70% of the population in this town is under 35, therefore, has very little recollection of the war. The Vietnamese language uses third person most times, meaning I could refer to myself as young, American, slightly obnoxious girl, and everyone would completely understand. And that Lover's Park is for couples of all shapes and sizes. See below:

Yet it is a sad night. The Hurley's leave tomorrow, so that once again we must return to the ways of $4 hostel rooms, 32 hour train rides, and food that pretty much only Cnut's can eat. But so be it. It has been wonderful being a Hurley for 10 days. It's almost as great as being a Bernardo. Almost...

Much more to come! Us ladies are on a serious adventure tomorrow. A 4 hour bus ride to a 30 hour train. Fantastic.

love,
Cristina

My lord, I think we have checked into paradise. No joke. Cnuts and I walked to the balcony, overlooking the mountains of Vietnam and just started hysterically laughing. This 18th century style room is like nothing I have seen before, nor will see again. Talk about luxury! I should have known from the glass of pink champagne they serve you on entering. This place is way out of my league...

So we are in the mountains now of Vietnam. And it is by far the most gorgeous place we have seen in Vietnam to date. Similar to Monte Verde, it is just endless hills of deep green, and little shacks lined along the road with smiling, waving children. We stopped first at a beautiful waterfall, guarded by 3 different sized elephants. Just like me, Cnuts, and Cat! Perfecto! Then we made our way toward an ancient temple, watched over by a giant, smiling, overweight buddha. It was Cnut's soulmate, I swear! Our guide told us apparently that Vietnamese identify all positive attributes to big bellies, fat faces, and giant earlobes. Which makes perfect sense, since the Vietnamese are all sooo fat. NOT.

OK its dinnertime. An exquisite meal I probably won't be able to touch, but nonetheless this life of luxury is calling me. And I have about...2 more days of it.

love you all!

Cristina

It would surely be: MOTO. Motos, motos, motos. That is all you see in this place! I am telling you it's like a swarm of beetles. And not just one person to a moto, 2, 3 , and sometimes 4 people on one moto. Babies too! It's madness.

So we have landed in Vietnam. And man oh man is it wonderful. The people are so kind and the food. Jesus cristo! It's delicious. Lime, basil, lemongrass, cilantro, they use all the spices in the book and in the perfect order. Too bad, as my luck would have it, my body has decided to reject food, exactly when the world is offering me its best. Family dinners with the Hurley's? The best food and drink you can imagine? Awesome stomach. Great time to set everything I eat on fire. Loving it. Thanks.

More to come!

love,
Cristina

Slowly but surely, I am uploading all my pictures. Here are a few of my favorites from Japan.

Great views..

Friends..

And...deer. Who knew!

This one is for you Dad. Who would have known that our family's old time favorite - Shakey's- could be found in Tokyo?!

love,
La Beba