The Night's Still Young.

Well, the police shut down the clubs early today. I had great company - pity was looking to dance the night away. That's what I've been doing the past 3 weekends ; hitting the clubs, casino's and almost free 5star hotel buffets. Might seem like a bit of an over kill, but its compensation for the last 6 months in hibernation.

You know why they shut down the clubs early? Because apparently there was a drug bust in Hanoi and it illogically filtered down South to Ho Chi Minh. Though honestly, I don't see how closing a club early would be consequently effective in eradicating drug abuse. So the deejay was under orders to kill the dancefloor. They did this by playing Blue's "One Love", " Hotel California" - the latter being a nice song, but man - its no way a club anthem.

Getting used to the very interesting and campy bordering on cheesy night life here. To be honest, I'm having more fun here than I did couple months back in Singapore. I've met many people and hope to continue meeting people. Too early to say they will be good friends - but the early prognosis is good. Have met 2 girls - LH and L, that have proved to be fun and people I could seriously get along with. Both are from different social circles, but I have fun in both circles. I headed out with LH's friends tonight - Couple of French-Viet Girls and their French Boyfriends, who were absolutely funny.

Who earns my respect, people who go out there and have fun - w/o giving a shit what people think. I like to see people have fun - even if its an energetic mass of uncoordinated jerky movments versus oh-i-am -so-goddamn-fucking-cool with the brief slight hip movements, oh yeah . Move bitches get outta way, clear the floor for those who know and want to have fun. Also, move bitch, when some lone chick suddenly dances into your circle of friends who are dancing. I don't know if its a phenomenom here, or maybe just one at "clubs" with no clear demarcated dance floor. People actually stand still right smack in the middle of the floor like a statue. Also two out of 3 nights, I had different chicks who probably thought they were the bomb, waddle straight into my group of friends and dance right in the middle of our circle. I'm like HELLO????? Look Girl, I know you're workin' ( pun intended) it, trying to get that old white fart's attention, but quit bumping right into me thinking that your chicken dance is sexy.

Updates and Overdue Pics

This is the Notre Dame Cathedral, in Ho Chi Minh, I think. I might be wrong and I seriously currently be arsed to check it out. Was taken in my first week here. Anyone who knows me, knows I rather spend time chilling at a cafe over a drink, absorbing the atmosphere, people watching - hopefully inconspicuosly rather than heading to tourist traps. No matter how beautiful they are. Of course exceptions are made if I have companions.

A typical vietnamese alley - where many restaurants are housed. Some times the small cosy streets remind me of the little town of Dharamsala a 12-hour winding ride up in the moutaints.

This photo was taken the day I landed. Well, I ran into these 4 school mates from uni in Singapore. Well, the guy I know personally, the other 3 might be exchange students. See how small the world is. That's why I thought it was absolutely necessary to snap a shot of them.

Hotel Majestic. An old, but restored 4 or 5* hotel in the city. Apparently, they have a really nice rooftop - cafe-cum-bar that has an amazing view of the city at night. Also a former popular

watering hole with US soldiers in the war in the 1960s. Will check that out sometime.

Ban Xeo - Or Viet Pancake and Fried Rolls. One of the food establishments with a greater local flavour. Bean Sprouts, pork , shrimp in between the crepe folds. You break a piece of, fold in within lettuce leaves, basil and other fresh herbs that Viets are so fond of. Then you dunk in the fish sauce. You know one thing that confused me was the fact that some western publications I have come across describe fish sauce as "pungent". Er, durian and jack food is pungent. For me, even the name fish sauce is a misnomer when it comes to the taste and smell. It really doesn't smell or taste like dead fish you know. Hardly a hint of fish. Its good by the way.

Fire eating dragon-lady on the restaurant cruise boat a long a river - during a company dinner. Food was great - ambience circa 1970s. Chic would be totally in appropriate, campy would be precise. I had fun. The Vietnamese love to kara-oke cantonese songs. Fire-eating lady's, pulsating raunchy dance which gyrations according to ah beng techno music, while no where in the indecent league as lap dance given in thestrip clubs, I felt slightly embarrassed as kids stood on there chairs and gathered near the stage to watch.

















Alright, I know I suck at photography - but those are already the best pictures I picked from the lot. Think cruise ship galley, fluorescent,neon,lights. Make-shift karaoke booth in front of the stage. A colleague of mine, said to me he'd tell the waiter pick me a song and that I'll go sing it. You know - it wasn't like he was trying to sabotage me or something. It was more like its an "honor" or a great fun thing to do. I was absolutely horrified. It never happened of course. All due respect to their national past- time, but croaking embarrassingly to an audience isn't my idea of fun.