Bikers

Dad would be so proud, That's what I think about while I'm maneuvering the traffic with grocery bags in my lap and in between my legs, or just before I shout back to the girls to hold onto my waste tightly, or put my foot down to the ground sliding to do a tight turn on my motorbike. Yep Rich and I have become bikers, well not in the sense that we ride around on Harley Hogs with Leather gear and the whole getup. But to and from everywhere here in Hanoi on our Mo ped (Yamaha Nauvoos). Its the most exhilarating thing and best of all very very common here, its really the ideal way to get around. I've spent the last two weeks renting bike after bike to find the right one, not sure if I have yet but it's fine for now. I have yet to go find a baby seat for Rexy to sit more comfortably. Yes I said Comfortably not safely. You'd think my main priority of getting a seat would be safety not comfort right? Well unfortunately that's not really an option here in Vietnam, see what I mean?

When travelling with precious cargo though, I use precaution and go no more than about 20-25 mph. I pray every time I go out with the kids that we don't have an accident. And so far so good.
I really have to admit something about traffic here, though its chaotic and very congested I am amazed to see how well people get around and safely too. Click here to see what I mean

Crazy traffic in Hanoi

The key we have found is to be predictable and move moderately slowly. This video is very accurate and when I see it I can't imagine myself in it, but out there on the road its really easy as pie.

Lack of Fourth

Well I'd like to say that we spent our fourth of July in front of a big blue sky full of amazing Asian fireworks, I mean Hey isn't that where we buy them from anyways? I'd like to brag about our fourth picinicking at the Lake before touring Ho Chi Minh Museum or the Pagodas in the Old City. Heck I'd even settle for the excuse of catching a movie or something basic, but we didn't. Actually it was about 8:30 pm before we even remembered that it was our American Independence day, no radio commercials every five minutes in the car to remind me about the latest Holiday. Heck if it wasn't for the commercials in between all my errand running right before the move I'd have missed Fathers day.
And even this being our first time forgetting an American Holiday while abroad my sweet girls didn't even fuss, no begging for us to take them out, or whining poor me I missed the Fourth of July. Our life has been full of shopping, unpacking, and moving furniture. Although a little time eating out a bit and even going to the community pool (yes there is one, actually two that I've found.) I guess you could say we're not tourists yet. Just trying to get used to everything in our new residence. So unromantic!!!! Oh well, maybe my kids feel like we made up for it yesterday with some American friends coming over for our burrito bar, such a nice and refreshing night (entertaining ourselves with card games and great conversation.)

We're getting there.

Harder than it looks

Well after a week and a half of eating out at amazing restaurants and gobbling up delicious street food I felt so inspired to try my own hand at Vietnamese cooking. Started with diced carrots sateyed in garlic and onions, then bokchoy, little weird mushrooms, of course sprouts, fresh squeezed lime juice and fish sauce. Then rolled in rice paper. You'd think i hit the nail on the head!!! Umm no. So yucky that I actually took the initiative to throw everyone's away before they could even have an opinion about it. Ha h , needless to say cooking lessons are desperately needed.