Linh's Fall 2015 Grades

Many of you have inquired about Linh's Fall Semester grades. Her final grades for this last semester were 1 A+, 2 A's and 1 P (for her Pass/Fail graduate internship). It was a difficult semester for her. She deserves a lot of credit and kudos for a job well done!
Linh has just 1 more semester to complete her MSW (Masters in Social Work) graduate program at WVU - she will graduate on May 16, 2016! Her 2+ years at WVU has/is passing quickly.

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My 1st VN Play

Linh took me, her brother, aunt and uncle to a comedy/mystery/horror play last night. Linh did a good job translating throughout the play - which bothered some of the people sitting near us.
I was impressed by the professional level of the acting (cast of 12), staging, lighting, and sound effects!
Above pic is of us having drinks and pastries after the play @ 1AM this morning!

Christmas 2015

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Christmas Eve Dinner 2015

I treated the "Phamily" to Christmas Eve dinner last night at my now favorite restaurant in Saigon (top pic). Of course Linh (Tiramisu) and her brother (chocolate hazelnut cake) got their favorite desserts (bottom pic).

Chef Linh

Last night Linh's uncle hosted a huge, al fresco barbecue for 15+ people at his condo - in honor of the Christmas holidays for me. Linh did a lot or most of the cooking - baby back ribs, shrimp, beef shiskabob (spelling?), and several Vietnamese vegetables. Great people and food!
It is now Christmas Eve in Vietnam - so - merry Christmas tow everyone!

Linh's Favorites & My Old Blue Friend

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More of Linh's Favorites

Linh and I had lunch today at my favorite restaurant where she got her favorite dessert = tiramisu (top pic).
Of course Linh had to also get her favorite fruit too (durian) from a street vendor (bottom pic). I am acquiring a like for it. Still very expensive = about $5 for the small one in the pic - and - about 90+% can't be eaten. I wonder how much my friend (Steve) pays for it in the US!?

Old Friend

I met the above old friend 7+ years ago. S/he (?) lives in front of a hair salon across the street from the hotel where I stay when I am in Saigon. S/he seems to remember me every year when we get re-acquainted.
S/he loves to have his head and under his wings itched. Btw s/he says "Hello" perfectly!
Note how tree has Christmas decorations.

Old and New Enemies

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Vinh's Home Village

We visited Vinh's small home village near Quy Nhon where many of his relatives live.
Top Pic - One of several feasts we had with Vinh's relatives. As always, great food and people.
Bottom Pic - We had another feast at Vinh's uncle's/aunt's house (standing to my left and right in pic). They are both active Vietnam army and have been since the Vietnam war (her a nurse and he a finance officer). I met them the first time last year. Ironic that former enemies met each other and fear together after almost 50 years.
We returned to Saigon yesterday. It was a great 5-day trip triggering many old memories and resulting in many new wonderful memories.

Big Critter

Me with one of many beams-type Bulls that you see in the highland countryside.

Small Village Life

Linh and I went to the small village where Vinh once lived. While there we visited the village market. Everyone there stared at me because I don't think that they had ever seen a westerner in their market. They kept asking Linh if I was a Russian!
Top Pic - me with one of the curious vendors. I borrowed her hat. They were all very friendly.
Bottom Pic - Soup vendor. Note the table and seating bench for her customers!

Coffee Deaign

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Back to Quy Nhon

Early this morning, Vinh's cousin drove us from Pleiku to Quy Nhon = 165 kilometers = 100 miles = 3.5 hour drive.
Quy Nhon is a beach city in central Vietnam, Vinh's & Linh's home village where Linh and I attended a large wedding last year. Linh has many relatives/friends here. There was a very large US army base here during the war. Many of Linh's family knew/worked with the US army during the war.
This is a picture of the logo/sign of my favorite coffee shop in Quy Nhon - I love the sign's design. Coffee shop is right on the beach - note background in pic.
We will be here until Friday when we will return to Saigon.

Memories and Ambassadors

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Pleiku Gathering

Top pic = Vinh treated 17 members of his family and me to lunch today. Great food and people all of whom have a great sense of humor and knowledge of Pleiku history. Many of his older relatives lived in Pleiku when I did and we shared our memories of that time so many years ago.
Bottom pic = me and my new 7 year old friend Bao Han. She is learning English and was anxious to talk to me because I was the 1st and only American she has met! We have had a great time chatting. She always insist to sit beside me at meals and holds my hand whenever/wherever we are going. Now she tells everyone that she wants to marry an American so that she and her children can speak perfect English! She and I are now BFFs. It is great being ambassadors for our countries!

Pleiku - Central Highlands

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Emotional Return to Pleiku

During the Vietnam war, I was initially stationed in Pleiku (September 1966 to January 1967). Pleiku is located in the central highlands - its altitude results in very nice weather (10-15 degrees cooler than Saigon).
It has been 48 years since I was last in Pleiku. Vinh (Linh's father) knew about me being stationed in Pleiku and paid all expenses (air, hotel, etc) for us to visit Pleiku (we arrived yesterday).
Of course, Vinh's very large family includes people living in Pleiku. His family met us at the airport and have been/will be our very gracious hosts while we are here.
Top pic is of "Ocean Lake" (volcanic fresh water lake) around which there were several US Army bases where I lived.
Bottom pic is Linh, Vinh and I having coffee with some of Vinh's/Linh's relatives/friends. This coffee house was a beautiful Vietnamese empire style architecture set on a gorgeous man-made lake.

Feast

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Lunch with Phamily

Linh's uncle invited us to a luncheon feast at his new condo. Great food and chatter.

Cocks Comb

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Hotel Lunch

The White Luxury Hotel (where I am staying) treated me and some members of their staff to this lunch today. Note that chicken was baked with its head on - the comb is pretty good.

Foodie Request

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Foodie Request

My foodie friends have asked about my favorite dishes at my new restaurant:

Provençal Baked Scallops (very small) with Provençal herbs and cheese (top pic)

Pan fried Foie Gras with potato au gratin and passion fruit sauce (bottom pic)

Of course Vietnamese food is still my favorite food!

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Stinky and Homework

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Stinky Durian

Stinky Dorian is Linh's favorite fruit. So - she satisfied her cravings by purchasing one from a street vendor (top pic) and consuming it on the spot (bottom pic)! <-- eat your heart out Steve!

Homework and Lunch

Today, I spent several hours helping Linh finish her last WVU Fall Semester homework assignment = Risk Assessment for Non-Profit Organization. We then celebrated by having lunch together.

Back to VN

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Back to Vietnam 2015-2016

After 36 hours travel time (Morgantown, WV to Dulles to Tokyo to Saigon) and almost 11,000 miles, Linh and I arrived back in Vietnam about 1AM this morning. We will return to US on January 10.
The cold weather will not be missed - it is 90F here this morning!
We have several adventures planned - so look for blog updates!

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