It's Sunday night and looking back, we've had a really interesting and eventful weekend! A little bit of everything really...
David, Veronika, Viktor ( and Eva) all joined the swim team at CIS and attended their first swimming practice. Coach Stepan is so happy that his team is growing ;-). They have such a great opportunity to improve their swimming skills and strokes in a world class facility.
After swimming we were HUNGRY! It was the perfect opportunity to try the new pizza place that opened just around the corner from CIS - Papa Roma. It was a great choice. The pizza was delicious and the prices very reasonable. We met the owner - a gentlemen who had just moved from Italy to Vietnam. He made the pizza right in front of us and baked it right there too.
Saturday was a relaxing morning. Sleep in, pancakes, relax, tennis and the big event...the delivery of our electric piano.
We are so excited that our new friend Hung, a music teacher and talented musician with connections helped us aquire a piano. We have come to understand, that in Vietnam it's about who you know, who they know, and how well connected you are...when someone knows someone, you can pretty much get a hold of and find almost anything. Hung helped us find the amazing Yamaha piano, so that the kids can continue with their music studies.
Sunday we headed into D1- the downtown district. Not sure if I've mentioned this before, but Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)is divided into 21 districts with an estimated population of 9-12 million people. The downtown core is in district 1, there is a large expat community in D2, large French community (remnants of the colonial days) in D3 (we were surprised at the wide availability and delicacy of the baguettes sold here. ...everywhere from supermarkets to on the street. ..I assume this is something that the Vietnamese learned from the French...biting into one you would swear you are in Paris). D5 has the largest Chinese-Vienamese population and has become the China Town of HCMC. D7, where we live, also has a large expat community and is know for its wide tree lined streets and many parks. There is much less traffic here, and it is an overall quieter part of the city. I like that it is possible to run in the neighborhoods and crossing the street is generally not a problem. ...a skill that in many other parts of the city needs to be learned and mastered. Because a walk signal does not necessarily mean walk. ... ;-) And a red light does not mean that everyone will stop.
Sunday afternoon we took bus 139 into D1. The bus comes every 15-20 min. and there's a stop right in front of our building. It costs 6,000 VND (aka dong) for everyone over 10. So for us that means 24,000 dong/ride. That's just over $1US. Not bad. We are usually the most interesting thing on the bus for the locals. They all smile at us and if they speak any English they comment ..usually not, so they gesture. ..about how cute our kids are. As blondies....they REALLY stand out and we are usually the only white people on the bus. It's about a 30 min ride to Ben Than Market. ..our point of orientation. It's how we know where we are and its where we know to find the bus stop back.
The bus stop in front of our building.
The intersection close to our bus stop when going home.
When we got of the bus we took a taxi to the Giant Step Gallery - turns out it was pretty close and we were curious as to what we would find. The event there was listed in an email from our social committee outlining things to do in HCMC over the weekend - thank you for putting the time and effort in to putting out this email! We weren't really sure what was on store for us, but the email and website mentioned mooncake and lantern making workshops, so everyone was excited. We arrived and weren't really sure what to think. There were a bunch of young people hanging out. ..listening to music and having cold drinks. ..mostly teas.
The center of the space was being prepared for a friendly dance-off. We were lucky enough to watch a bit of this. It was really entertaining. The kids did get to decorate lanterns. Evi was especially interested in this...and Veronika decorated a side of the lantern as well.
Eva the artist.
Veronika's masterpiece.
The girls ' lantern will be hanging for the mid autumn festival next weekend.
Graffiti artist at work.
Evi's masterpiece
Making mooncakes is quite an elaborate process. You may be asking...what is a mooncake? Well this is what wikipedia says...A rich thick filling usually made from red bean or lotus seed paste is surrounded by a thin (2–3 mm) crust and may contain yolks from salted duck eggs (we were wondering what that yellow center was...now we know). Mooncakes are usually eaten in small wedges accompanied by Chinese tea.
The crust, the paste and the duck egg yolk.
Mooncakes are pressed into beautiful forms. This one is ready for baking.
2-3 times during baking, which is just over 30 min., the cakes are rubbed with sesame oil.
Finished product...So beautiful.
These are different Mooncakes we saw on our way home. ..they are selling them everywhere. Even Baskin Robbins and McDonalds are serving mooncakes!
The fun dance off...It was so cool to watch. People hanging out, enjoying music and enjoying the moment.
I love the intricate root system of this tree.
Leaving the gallery. ..dozens of motorbikes, a very typical scene in Saigon.
Stepan wanted a photo in front of the Beer Club...I've actually seen quite a few beer clubs in the city so far. ..We well have to get out and explore another time!
On our way back to the bus stop, we took a walk by the riverside. It was a little shocking to see how much garbage there actually is in the river. We have come to understand that there is a huge problem with garbage disposal in HCMC...and other cities in Vietnam. I'm still NOT sure if it is a cultural thing or a matter of not having the proper infrastructure to deal with the amount of trash generated by the large population (remember, this is a developing country with a small population of wealthy individuals and most of the population living in poverty). Still it is very sad to see such beautiful natural heritage so tragically polluted and dirty.
David on the riverfront walk.
Stepan checking out the river and ships.
The trash. Makes me sad, and at the same time wonder...what can we do to change this?
Up close with the ships we see from our window at home. 
Riverfront walk.
Enjoying some bo bia ngot, streetside. First, two very thin and small pancakes (crepes) are laid flat, then a sheet of honeycomb is placed on top, and sprinkled with desiccated coconut and sesame seeds. It’s then rolled up and handed over — it’s really that simple and soooo good!
The tallest building on Saigon, we will come back another day and ride to the top for a great view of the city.
Our bus stop is just on the other side of the street...time to practice the ever important skill of crossing the street. We made it - exhasted, but thrilled with all that we had seen and experienced.
I almost forgot. ..and I have to add this in. On Saturday after the CIS open house, Stepan was invited to lunch by his pool instructors and lifeguards. They took him out for some Vietnamese food and beer. He said it was incredible and delicious, and it really helped being with locals, who helped him order and showed him what to eat with what and how to eat it. He had sturgeon...Hong Kong style. And Mr. Hai even got him something to take home to his family. ...He felt the kids might not eat fish. ..So he brought chicken. I must say, it was so flavorful and delicious, but the presentation is very different from what we would see at home...don't you agree?
Well, it's Thursday night and it's taken me several days to finish writing. ...but just in time for another weekend. This weekend is the mid autumn festival, so I'm sure we will have the opportunity to experience some new adventures! Yay!
