charvey in Vietnam

Uớc Mơ Của Tôi

Hello Public -- it's finally here!  After Herculean effort and countless dead-ends, I have succeeded in editing down my appearance on the VTV3 program "Uớc Mơ Của Tôi" ("My Dream") and uploading onto YouTube.  Special thanks to fellow American and Wisconsiner Brian Cotter, a loyal reader and fellow beer drinker who volunteered to rip and edit the video.  This one's for you, Brian.

The clips below appeared on the first episode of the show.  In it the judges gave the candidates interview-y questions and evaluated them on a number of factors such as poise, confidence, answer quality and, my personal favorite, BS ability.  Most of the candidates answered our questions in Vietnamese per the producer's instruction.  So if you think I'm faking it during those scenes where I'm nodding thoughtfully at the candidate's answer, you're absolutely right.

Oh yeah, I'm a celebrity now.  I've been recognized twice in public as "that white dude from that TV show."  It was impressive because all white guys look alike to the Vietnamese (no kidding, really).  On the way to Tokyo last month the flight attendant asked me "Did I see you on TV last night?"  I answered, 'Ahem, why yes....yes you did."  The second time was in an elevator in Hanoi.  Neither person asked me for my autograph or stalked me, though.  I'm disappointed I haven't had to get any restraining orders yet.  Celebrity can be so fickle.  I might have to check into rehab to get some attention.

Huge in Asia

I found this hugely entertaining "video blog" of three American guys living in Hanoi.  It's called Huge in Asia.  Check out their homemade rap video (below) filmed on the streets of Hanoi, the Hanoi Hustle.  It's brilliant.  Love the guy in the water bubble!

One Year

Tôi ơ Việt Nam một nam roì.  Chính xác mọt nam và nam ngày roì.  Bay giờ tôi nói tiếng việt giỏi hơn một nam trước.  Tôi nói chuyện bang tiếng việt với nhiêù ngươì việt mỡi ngày.  Tối rát thích học tiếng việt -- vui!

Whoa peeps, it's been one year already.  My year anniversary actually was last week, which I spent vainly hunting for galoshes throughout Saigon.  Yes, as Mel's meteorological spidey sense detected, shifting wind direction indicates that the real rainy season has arrived.  That means nearly every afternoon it rains cats and dogs.  "Raining cats and dogs" is an expression the Vietnamese find hysterical.  I was at a loss to explain its etymology.  I couldn't find an authoritative explanation on the internet even though I searched for more than 2 minutes, an eternity in Google time.  I mentioned the expression to some of the office security guys in Vietnamese, but they just blinked at me with polite smiles.  Probably thought I was crazy.

I remembered wearing galoshes as a kid so I ordered some in the States.  My mum is shipping them over, bless her heart.  Now maybe I can clean up that nasty case of trenchfoot.

Tokyo Pics

Hey Public, I've uploaded all my pics to Picasa Web.  You can check out the albums below.

Japan 1

Japan2

Also, here's another video.  This one is of the huge intersection just outside of Shibuya station.  It's kind of like Times Square in Tokyo.

Tokyo 2

Check out the Tsukiji Fish Market.  This is where restaurant buyers come every morning to pick up the freshest fish in town.  It starts around 4:30am.  I got there at 6:30.  More Tokyo pics to come.