Saigon Stories – Long time No entry

I write now from the Pham Ngu Lao district in Ho Chi Minh that now is home to Saigon’s only decent “Starbucks-like” cafe. Saigon doesn’t have Starbucks yet but this place is darn close. They have enough selection that even an American would be satisfied although I’m sure the staff won’t understand what a “skinny”…… Continue reading Saigon Stories – Long time No entry

Saigon Stories – Winds of Change

Last night my good buddy and roommate packed up his stuff and left Vietnam, perhaps not to return. Axel was the guy I discovered Vietnam with as we both had studied in Tokyo together. He left the language program earlier than I, but we kind of understood that we would probably both see each other…… Continue reading Saigon Stories – Winds of Change

Saigon Stories – Why I like Saigon

As I’ve mentioned in my previous posts, my batteries are a little drained and I need a vacation. During this time, I’ve also been thinking about which country I would like to go to next. I was thinking Tokyo or somewhere on the west coast of the USA. However, as I was riding my motorbike…… Continue reading Saigon Stories – Why I like Saigon

Saigon Stories – Observations of the Week in Saigon

First, let me say that you must take the last entry about the French with a grain of salt. I like France and French people. Parisians still annoy me though. In fact, I’m reading a French book called “les États- Unis aujourd’hui; les maîtres du monde?” (The United States Today; The masters of the world?)…… Continue reading Saigon Stories – Observations of the Week in Saigon

Saigon Stories – Vietnamese vs. French people

Another glorious day here in Saigon. I just got back from Parkson (best department store in Saigon) where I go to get Gatorade for only 85 cents per bottle. Those other damn stores charge up to 4 dollars a bottle and so I make it a habit to get to Parksons at least once a…… Continue reading Saigon Stories – Vietnamese vs. French people

Saigon Stories – My fellow students – Irritations in Saigon

As I mentioned in the previous post, I’m studying Japanese here in Ho Chi Minh city. All the other students are Vietnamese and it’s really interesting to study along side them. The foreigners here in Saigon usually only interact with the Vietnamese at work, or with those who work in the bars, but rarely get…… Continue reading Saigon Stories – My fellow students – Irritations in Saigon