Tuesday, August 31, 2010

Safe and Sound...for now.

I have now been in Vietnam a little less than 24 hours and have already passed judgement. Those of you who know me, know that it actually took me only like 5 seconds before I started passing judgement. But it's alright. The judgement has been positive so far.

Unfortunately, at this point, I have no photos. Many restaurants do not allow photography and a lot of times, I am too busy making sure I am not being hit by a motorbike, car, taxi or whatever to be taking pictures. Don't worry that will change soon I am sure.

Let's start with memorable judgements in order of when I first had them.

Korean Air - These people know what they are doing. They gave me slippers on my 12 hour flight. Isn't that awesome. And I was traveling in economy. Must be a good airline.

Korean Babies - If I ever have children, they will be adopted Korean babies. They are soo cute.

Dust Baskets - The Ho Chi Minh International Airport translated waste basket as dust basket. For example, "Please deposit sanitary napkins in the dust basket." I thought that was an odd translation.

Taxi Cabs - They are lethal anywhere.

Masks - Everyone here wears masks. Especially when they are driving their motorbikes. Apparently, they are used to protect from pollution, which is good. I got a lot of boogies from not wearing them and riding in the taxi with the window open. But they are also used to help the women stay pale. They also wear gloves and socks and sweatshirts. Today is like 5,000 degrees and I am wearing a cotton sun dress that is basically like wearing nothing, have put deodorant on like 4 times, and they are walking around fully clothed to stay pale. So unlike America.  But I guess that is why I came here.

That is all for now folks. Next time, I hope to have pictures.
-Alissa

Saturday, August 28, 2010

I have a problem...

I bought more deodorant.



I might bathe in deodorant when I get to Vietnam.



The urge to stay sweat free is too much!




Friday, August 27, 2010

The Essentials

This is for my dear friend, Maija, who seriously needs to get a life and will probably be the main audience of this beautiful blog. But since she is currently in Illinois, suffering through a wedding, I thought I would provide her (and all of you) with some entertainment.

Today, I am packing up my stuff for my trip and thought I would let you all in on the most important things I am packing. Are you ready for this? I thought so...

The essentials...perhaps more than you would like to see.
Top 13 Items on my packing list:

  1. Deodorant - As mentioned in the previous post, I am extremely worried about sweating to death. For this reason, I have 2 sticks of deodorant. I was a girl scout after all, so I will go prepared.
  2. Children's Chewable Vitamins - The adult multivitamins give me a tummy ache. These will have to do.
  3. Malaria pills - Obvi
  4. Sunscreen - I'm a white girl. I don't want to be a red girl.
  5. 80 Tampons - Apparently, tampons aren't readily available in 'Nam. What do those girls use?!
  6. Soap and Shampoo/Conditioner - For when I occasionally shower. You know, like, once or twice throughout the program.
  7. Juicy Romance Novels - Always entertaining. I have a 28 hour journey to Ho Chi Minh City. 
  8. Digital Camera - Obvious reasons.
  9. Hair supplies - Hair always needs to be beautiful, even if super greasy from the lack of showering. I think I can manage this, since I brought clippies, hair bands, sweat bands, more clippies, etc.
  10. UNDERWEAR - 2 weeks worth. They are the only thing I won't wear twice. I do have some standards, to the surprise of many.
  11. Bug Spray- I hear their bugs are even larger than Minnesota's. I'm assuming they are the size of polar bears. 
  12. Knock-off Hydrocortisone cream - For when the polar bear sized bugs get past the bug spray. 
  13. Hand Sanitizer - I've got to stay clean. 
Well, there it is. 
-Alissa

Wednesday, August 25, 2010

I'm going to 'Nam...

Well...I've spent all summer in Oregon, soaking my liver in awesome beer, wine, kamikazes, etc. and forgetting almost entirely that Minnesota, Vietnam or even polar bears exist. No worries, I set myself straight. Obvi, polar bears are the most important thing on this Earth.

(Like, for cereal, right? So cute.)


But for real, I am leaving for Vietnam in 4 days and I will be there for 15 weeks. I had my final freak out moment Monday night and am now SUPER excited TO GO TO 'NAM!



Soon, everything will be packed (expensive prescription diarrhea meds, my new netbook that is adorable, a very large deodorant and my extra strength deodorant (I'm really paranoid about being constantly super sweaty)) and I will get on a plane for yet another adventure. The only thing making me nervous is the fact that it is 500 million degrees Celsius and the air is actually just water. My heritage is Scandinavian, not aquarian (I know that doesn't really make sense, but it has a ring to it.).

So, next time you hear from me, I will be across the world. Dying of heat stroke, but lookin' good as always.


See ya later, alligators!
-Alissa