Checking Out
And here is another thing we would never do in our culture. Give a 3 day resignation notice by e-mail. This forwarded email landed in my inbox and I honestly could not stop laughing, as I have never seen anything like this and would never imagine handling things this way…
Dear Mrs. D,
Excuse me that I have late news for you.
I am sorry that I can not tell you before. I need to resign from my work or check out from your company.
I have a very good opportunity from a big company in Luangprabang.
Thank you very much for the 3 years experience and I am very happy in working with everybody.
Best regards,
S
And that was just it. Can you imagine?
Tales from the Taxi
So another evening and another taxi ride home. Traffic was horrible this evening. And my taxi driver was certifiably crazy. While I appreciated his interest in practicing English (the teacher in me is ever-present), I wasn’t really in the mood to speak in broken sentences, smile politely and uncomfortably and make nice. It was a long day. Yup – not really in the mood to talk to a crazy cab driver after my really “fun” 12+ hour day.
I am closer and closer to renting a motorbike because for ONCE I would just like to step into a taxi and…
- not have it smell like super stinky sweaty something or rather (I am constantly reminded of the Seinfeld episode with the valet driver/car smell). I also don’t love it when whatever the smell is in the car gets on my clothes and I can faintly smell that stench all day (I have a strong sense of smell).
- have the driver actually, truly, really know where we are going
- upon giving directions to a clueless driver, have them actually listen instead of argue with or ignore me
- when pointing which direction to go, the driver doesn’t follow the line down my arm and finger to see the direction I’m pointing in
- on excursions different from the home/work route, the driver doesn’t insist on taking the long way around, making that extra buck
- the driver actually knows how to operate the vehicle – for example, understands that you cannot shift into 5th gear at 20MPH. AND that you cannot take off from a red light in 3rd gear OR that the rumbling of the car means you are in too high a gear for 7MPH
- the driver doesn’t answer his cell phone while driving, slowing down and nearly causing numerous accidents – driving in Hanoi requires your full attention.
- the driver doesn’t madly beep his horn, flick his lights and tail the cars in front of him. When this happens, all I can think is that he would be a casualty of road rage in Los Angeles. I have not yet gone numb to the horn honking. Hope not to.
- not wanting to use the passenger floor board as my imaginary brake pedal, and sometimes gas pedal too!
- not quickly shut my eyes in fear that we are going to cream the lady and her kids on the motorbike
- the driver doesn’t hit a motorbike and then get out, scream and yell at the woman, escaping blame for the incident simply because he’s yelling and she’s not because she probably slightly in shock and a bit banged up.
- the driver “actually” has money in his wallet to make change. I’m not that friggin’ generous to leave you double the fare.
- step out of the taxi without getting dust, dirt or some sort of muck on my pants
And while we are on the topic of transportation, I just have to say here that the motorbike drivers here totally freak me out. I feel like I’m being stalked when walking around. It’s so creepy to be strolling down your street and hear from the shadows of darkness, “Moto?” And this is all said in low voices with a boogey man in the voice. Seriously – freaks me out. I especially hate it when I am walking roadside and a motorbike driver approaches from behind and nearly whispers in my ear as he’s slowed his bike next to me, “Moto?” We’re lucky I haven’t punched someone yet and instead have acquired the ability to give them the look of death which requires no words and they drive on. Seriously. Me no likey!!!
My buddy Pete has put me in touch with his friend who rents motorbikes. So be prepared, my friends. I may just take to the streets over the weekend. The freedom of driving around whenever and wherever I want has become irresistible!
Hanoi’s 1000th Anniversary
In just about a year’s time, the city of Hanoi will be celebrating it’s 1000th Anniversary. Considering my country is a fraction of that age, this is quite a milestone. After living in a country where festivals and summer firework shows are the norm, I’m eager to see how the Vietnamese celebrate such an amazing moment in history.
Just as people speculate whether Beijing would be ready for the Olympics, South Africa for the World’s Cup, the speculation begins about the organization and progress for celebrations in Hanoi.
Below is an article I found in the ThanhNien News:
With 700 days to go until the Thang Long – Hanoi 1,000th Anniversary, the celebration’s director’s chair is still unfilled.
That means there is no one person in charge of overseeing all of the 80 affairs schedules for next year.
But Nguyen Khac Loi, deputy director of Hanoi Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, said there was no need for one central director as celebrations would take place throughout the country.
“There will not be a general director, instead we’ll have directors for each event around the country,” he said. “This is a collective program from north to south, so there is no need for a general director. We only need the National Steering Committee to supervise the events.”
Of the 80 performances, ceremonies and activities, the department has been assigned to organize 50 of which it has agreed to complete plans for the other 30 before the end of this month. The plans will then be evaluated for approval by a quality board under the committee.
Loi said he has invited many of the country’s leading entertainment writers and directors all over the nation to create each ceremony.
But many involved still think there needs to be one central person in charge of everything
In need of a captain
Nguyen Trong Tuan, deputy chief of the 1,000th Anniversary’s National Steering Committee, told online newspaper VietNamNet that the committee was still waiting for the right candidate to give the general directorship to. He said many famous directors experienced in organizing major festivals and events probably didn’t know much about the 1,000th Anniversary as information released had been sparse and ambiguous so far.
“The public has not been given a chance to understand the event yet,” Director Le Quy Duong told Thanh Nien Daily. “Directors like me haven’t been given a chance to contribute, even just a small part, to the largest celebration of our 1,000-year history,
“There has been no public forum for the public to voice their opinions on the matter and everyone seems to flinch from participating. Some are even afraid of their ideas being stolen. Maybe the producers have not cast the anniversary in the right light,” he said.
VietNamNet quoted director Pham Hoang Nam as saying it might be too late to choose a general director and that such a selection should have been made in the beginning of the planning process.
“It is really strange that there is no general director for such a big event,” he said. “They [organizers] ought to have a test to select the right director, but it is too late to talk about this ‘imaginary’ event. Nothing will come true if it is just based on dreams and ideas. Fundamentally, the event already lacks solidarity, professionalism and national pride.”
Other problems
This void appears to have manifested itself in several problems in the planning of the director-less event.
A major film project to celebrate the capital’s history, Thai to Ly Cong Uan (King Ly Cong Uan), has just been deemed infeasible and replaced by Chieu doi do (Proclaim to move the capital).
None of the artifacts for the archeological exhibit Gui toi mai sau (Sent to the Future Generation) have been chosen, while organizers had originally set the deadline for doing so in 2008.
The exhibit aims to show off 1,000 cultural artifacts from the last 1,000 years of Vietnamese history.
Organizers had originally said they would recreate a massive archeological dig and place the artifacts at the mock-up site as if they had just been dug up. But they had not taken into account the underground water systems in Hanoi’s museum quarter, where the event will take place, so they have had to cancel the unique presentation. An alternative has yet to be proposed.
Reported by Y Nguyen-Kim
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
Medical Tourism
When I lived in Japan, I was lucky to enjoy a great healthcare system. As a civil servant, I also was required to do a full health check once per year. This was always something I sort of enjoyed doing. I think folks are kind of 50/50 on this topic. You either don’t see a doctor until you have to or you see one so you don’t have to see one. I like the peace of mind in knowing that I’m healthy, alive and kicking!
The hospitals in Bangkok have really become more like 5 Star hotels. All the facilities are sparkling clean, staff is super friendly and the health check runs very efficiently. In fact, the term for people who go abroad for health care and procedures is called Medical Tourism. And so in addition to feeding my shopoholic frenzy, I played medical tourist for a day! Oh, I’m so well-rounded!
I took a later appointment, which allowed me a 10% discount on my bill. It also allowed me to sleep in. I arrived in Bangkok late last night and today, slept until 9am and couldn’t drag myself out of bed until 10am! Oooohhh that felt so good! The appointment was at 11:30, and so I had to fast for 10-12 hours before my blood work. Thankfully, they weigh you, take your blood pressure and your blood at your lightest. Still, I’ve gotta loose about 4 kilos. I’m back to a zone I’ve been in before, but am not comfortable staying in. Not fat, but just not me. Right after they take your blood, you are ushered through a number of other stations to check your eyes and EKG and an ultrasound and #1 and #2 and the female-only tests. It’s all very thorough and everyone is incredibly professional.
What’s clear when you are waiting in the lounges is that people from all over the world come to the hospitals for these services. The month of July is popular for those from the Middle East. While very few men wore traditional garb, the women all remained in their black arayas. It reminded me of my trip to Europe last summer and the tiny little lake side town of Zell Am See in Austria. Remote and quaint, and a now popular destination for Saudi families. Out of context, it is just a strange site to see the women in traditional dress amongst those in travel gear in the mountain towns of Austria or the hospital loungewear which patients are provided at a hospital in Bangkok.
While I was in one small section of the health center, each building of the hospital I chose is a good 12 stories tall and provide all sorts of services. Out in the parking lots, I’d say eye and nose jobs are a popular procedure!!! My friend Pete and I laughed as he warned me not to come back to Hanoi with a new set of boobs!
Other than being a little heavy for my own good, I’m a healthy gal. I like seeing the word “normal” on all of the pages of reports! With all of the tests taken and a one-on-one review of the results with a doctor, my total bill came to $268. Small price to pay to make sure you are A-OK!!!
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
What else can I carry for you?
I am a mule.
mule [myool]
noun
def. A mule is the offspring of strictly a male donkey and a female horse, typically sterile and used as a beast of burden.
I would like to clarify immediately that I am not a mode of transport for illegal drugs. But over the last several months, as I’ve traveled between Vietnam and Laos, and back and froth from Hanoi to Saigon, I have carried my fair share of boxes of materials and things our hospitality team members needed. No worries.
This weekend, I am headed to Bangkok. I am cashing in on a whopping 1.5 days of vacation and heading out on Thursday night. It’s a mini, mini-vacation. Friday is health check day, as Bangkok’s hospitals are state-of-the-art and provide a wonderful and complete check-up service. I’m actually looking forward to this, as it has been two years since I did this in Japan. I am overdue.
I’m going out with some colleagues on Friday night and hopefully meeting up with an old college buddy Saturday. Every other moment of my time will be consumed with shopping. Indeed, my intention is to take an empty suitcase and come back with an over-stuffed one. (But one which does not go over the Air Aisia 15kg limit.) But I reiterate – this is a vacation weekend for me!
My colleagues in Bangkok had a lightbulb go off in their heads yesterday and I was asked to carry over some brochures…and a few bottles of wine. If you live in this region long enough, you know what’s up. And they know I’m coming to shop. And coming with an empty suitcase. Shanna can be our mule! Cool!
Me being me, I agreed to bring the 3 bottles of wine and the 10kg (??seriously??) of brochures. But today, I got another phone call and another request to transport goods into Thailand. The Bumrungrad Hospital rep in Hanoi asked if I could take some food to one of her friends who is getting treatment for leukemia. How in the world can I say no to that? Of course the agents of Air Asia can say no to my suitcase if it is over the 15kg limit…that or be happy to get more money from me!
So as I pack my suitcase tonight, I am trying to pack as lightly as I can, simply so I can pack everyone else’s stuff to carry over. I don’t mind being a good friend and serving as a mule in this situation. Beast of burden. Fine. I just hope the part of being typically sterile isn’t true! Yikes!
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
WOW! THANK YOU!
This morning I realized that the hit counter on my website said 9995. I posted a note in my facebook status, wondering who would be number 10,000. Pete totally cheated and logged on three times. Jeff claims he would have had it had Pete not cheated. I made sure I didn’t log on for hours, as the last time I hit a milestone, I was the one who was the lucky “winner”. Oi.
At some point during my life in Japan, I created a blog, On The Bright Side. Last year, shortly before I set out on my travels in March 2008, I established this website to more easily and thoroughly communicate with you the life adventures I am so fortunate to enjoy.
I just want to THANK YOU for stopping by and taking time out of your day to visit On The Bright Side, check in with me and keep in touch. It means a lot to me, as I really enjoy posting these stories – sometimes great, sometimes silly, sometimes even a bit sad. They are just bits and pieces of my life and I am happy to share them with you. Now, if I could just get you all to leave more comments! That’s the goal for the next 10,000 hits!
In all sincerity, though, thank you. I’m grateful for your friendship and for your continued clicking. May you be the lucky one who logs in hit number 20,000! : D
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
Vietnameses Engrish Tourisme
I mentioned just a few posts ago how I have not ventured far from my days as an English teacher. Well, today made for another classic. I received a call from a Mr. Duc yesterday (passed on to me by my staff who encouraged me to talk to him because his offer sounded “exciting”). Mr. Duc explained that his firm does direct mail marketing. I explained that we have no budget nor do we desire for such service. He begged for a meeting with me. I said no. He was confused and wanted an explanation why we don’t need his service. I explained I was busy and that we do all direct marketing ourselves.
This morning, one of his staff members came to my office (entered from my side door through the Emeraude office – staff was still excited for me to speak to these folks) to drop off their proposal and insisted that she leave with one of my business cards. I reminded her that I will not enlist their services. She did not seem to understand the concept of “zero percent chance” and told me that Mr. Duc will contact me and “really requests” and appointment.
Within an hour of her visit, I received this e-mail:
Good morning Shanna,
As per our short talk of yesterday on phone, I would like to send you here attached our general presentation & our main products & services for your info. In the current contexte of crisis & strong competition, I think enterprise like yours probally need to do some direct advetising mail to promote your businesses. I understand that today 70% of your clients come directly from oversea & only 30% are vietnameses. Why do not make bigger this part of vietnamese people since more & more vietnameses want to enjoy better services than the normal & low standard boat in Halong. I think many “high incomes” local individuals still do not know about Emeurade & they are still hesitating come to see you due to the lack of information. Among your other means of media such as Heritage magazine, forum, name card collecting, incentive, email which are very efficient also , I think Media Post can help you to do some interesting advertising campaign by direct mail. We can provide you some database of potential vietnameses with high income, tourisme oriented( full name, postal addresse, company, postion, car name owner, consumption habit….) which are regularly updated then we are in charge of sending your advertising piece to these people in the best way( Media Post is using postmen of Vnpost to distribue mail) . In the same way , Media Post has our own checking system to control the quality of distribution( phone call, random check, POD…) The percentage of replying people depend of course in the attractiveness of your products & the potential interest of the recipient but in all cases we can be sure about the accuracy of database, good quality of mail distribution( by minimising loss)…ect.
For your information, we started our company last july & we already work for Big C Casino, Nestle, Societe General Viet Finance, Ruby Plaza, Prevoir insurance company, CCIFV, ISIVIC…If you are interested, I can come at any time as I base in Hanoi to have further talk with you & Mr Nam.
Meanwhile, please do not hesitate to let me know any information you need & hope to see you soon.
Best regards
Dang Minh Duc
Deputy General Director(Marketing & Sales)
MEDIA POST JSC
The fact that they used postmen of Vietnam Post almost had me hooked!!!
On the Bright Side,
Shanna
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