12:06 a.m. - 2007-09-15
Vietnam
We went to Vietnam for vacation in August. The flight was only 5 and half hours so that wasn't so bad but after the flight we had to get in a car and drive another 4 hours to the Phan Thiet beach. That was miserable with a 4 and 2 year old. It was very interesting seeing the Vietnam countryside but the kids were anxious to get out. I describe Vietnam driving as a game of chicken. Of course we had a driver but it was scary. I've discussed the driving in China but I'm not sure which is worse. There was only once the driving scared me to death but there were other times when it was close. Once we got to Phan Thiet there was a horrible smell in the air and I was convinced this was the worst vacation ever. I found out the smell is fish sauce. Phan Thiet makes a very popular fish sauce sold all over. Once I realized it was fish sauce the smell wasn't so bad and after a couple of days I couldn't smell it at all. Our room was approx. 1000 sp ft with a 1000sq ft backyard with a Jacuzzi, hammock, picnic table, GRASS – yes GRASS, and a private outdoor shower. There was a kids club and lots of kids activities such as horseback riding and a wonderful spa. The first day in Vietnam we went to the supermarket. The people acted this was the first time they had seen a blond boy or a curly blond girl! Everyone would come up and touch Elisabeth's face. It got so bad that she had me carry her and she would bury her face in me but someone would wait until she peeked up to touch her face. I would ask them not to touch her but they didn't understand me and I would literally try my best to keep her away from anyone but it was difficult. Even when we were driving people would pull up next to us and stare at the kids. Luckily the resort staff were great and gave the kids some peace. The lifeguards were fabulous and loved to play with the kids. Colin and Elisabeth enjoyed them as well. Vietnam had lots of European vacationers – not many Americans. The prices at the resort shops and the airport were listed in American dollars. It is a gorgeous country and the people are fabulous (except for the supermarket). We went sledding down the sand dunes, walked through a fresh water stream, visited the fishing villages, went horse back riding on the beach, swimming everyday, etc… On our last day we drove back to Saigon early to visit an art gallery. I loved Saigon and wished we could have stayed there a couple of days. Vietnam was AMAZING! Geoff thinks it's our best Asia vacation yet!

6:51 a.m. - 2007-07-25
Basic Sep
After a year I tried the step aerobics class again. This time it was much better. I wasn't the only one in the class – there was 4 of us. I think my Japanese is better or at least I can understand their English much better. They cannot pronounce R's or L's and several other sounds. When they say Basic Step it sounds like basic sep and Repeater is pronounced Sepeada and when she wants to do the L step she holds up her arms in the shape of an L because she cannot pronounce it. I know I'm not describing this very well but you almost need to be there to get the feel. I got the hang of it and knew exactly what she was trying to say. I'm adjusting very well!
We had another earthquake the other day. They say it's good to have a several small earthquakes so it doesn't build up to one big one. I read that there is a 90% chance of Tokyo having a big earthquake within the next 50 years. I find that very scary and I'm very thankful that I won't be her for the next 50 years.
The rainy season seems to be over – I hope anyway. The last 2 days have been sunny and hot. I'll take sunny and hot over constant rain anyday!