At last, the weather might be changing from summer to fall. A few weeks ago, a chilly evening fooled me into thinking that my sweat rag may be needed no longer. That was a lie. Now, it seems as if the weather is finally cooling down. Sweat rag away, rain jacket almost retired, and I am ready with the long-sleeves. That's one thing I do miss about Minnesota...the autumns. Leaves changing and falling, cold nights, lighting a fireplace because it's actually needed rather than decorative, hot chocolate outside. I crave it. I need it. Although beautiful, fall in Hanoi isn't the same (though is still my favorite of the four seasons here). For anyone lucky enough to be kicking aside red leaves and wearing light coats, know that I am just a wee bit jealous!
Aside from that, things are going very well. I hate to sound like a broken record, but I do still love working here and being here. It's funny, though...the things that didn't bother me at all last year definitely get at me this year, and I suspect that next year would drive me nuts. It's interesting watching the adjustment of expats living in Vietnam and the transition from initial arrival to settling in. A friend of mine from college is moving here soon and his excitement, his questions, his anticipation was every bit what I experienced before I came. I remember nearly vibrating out of my shoes, I was so happy to be here. I feel differently now, but certainly not less happy about being here. I've said this before, but I feel more 'settled' now. Last year was definitely more volatile and transitional- I'm glad to have come to where I am now.
It's funny. Memories that I have from when I was younger, usually from interaction with Grandma or Dad, are clearer to me and have root in what I now know is simply a result of being Vietnamese or living in Vietnam. During a certain time every year, my grandmother would feed me dense cakes filled with egg yolk, sticky rice, even meat. I always ate reluctantly, never asked questions, but now know that it's customary to eat these cakes during Tet Trung Thu, otherwise known as the Mid-Autumn Moon Festival. My dad has a predilection for Laughing Cow cheese and french bread, a combination I used to find odd in America, but now know as staple foods in Vietnam. And the sneezes. Good lord, the sneezes. My grandmother and father can make two of the earth's loudest sounds while sneezing, something I've inherited (with glee), but could never fully exercise in the US where sneezes are stifled and noises politely muffled. Here, it's free reign and everyone gives each sneeze their all. The sounds can be awful. I love it.
New laws have been put into place recently that will require each person riding on a motorbike to wear a helmet. This. Is. Revolutionary. If you've ever been to Vietnam, very few people wore helmets, a remarkable fact given that almost everyone you meet has either witnessed, had, or knew someone who had been in a motorbike accident. Not only small brushes, mind you, but serious accidents. Fatal. Now, more and more helmets (genuine and not) are cropping up every day. Whether or not everyone will have them by the 15 December deadline is another thing- to not have a helmet is punishable by 'fining.' But still...it's a start.
Biking in Gia Lam
