Madagui Race Video

Meant to post this video my buddy Collin put together from our race in Madagui a few weeks ago. Enjoy!

March and April Update

Well, it's tax season and we're broke, so we've been hanging closer to home for the past month or so. The consulate soccer team (the Tiger Team) is gearing up for the our big match against Hanoi next month, so we've been practicing quite a bit. Not that it makes much a difference for me – I just try to not embarrass myself too much!

Mr. Mustard, our bright yellow Honda Cub motorbike, is finally in reasonable working order, so we've been scooting around the city exploring various less-visited districts. Our Sundays usually involve some sort of leisurely brunch at one of the many fine Western establishments in the city, followed by various errands via motorbike. This weekend the errands involved a visit to one of the street-side barbers who set up shop right on the sidewalk. I don't know why I haven't been doing this all along – for 2 bucks I got a great cut in the open air and sunshine, as well as fun conversation with Mr. Hai the barber. What more can you ask for?

This weekend we also celebrated our friend Jen's birthday with a nighttime food/bar tour. It has got to be one of my favorite ways to see the city. Our group of 12 bounced between delicious eateries and bars all night, conveyed by perhaps the most stylish (although probably not the most comfortable) two-wheeled wonders ever created – Vespas and Lambrettas. There's just something so magical about climbing on the back of one of these machines and floating through the neon-lit city streets…

We did slip out of town for a long weekend, returning to Hue in central Vietnam for a few days of relaxing in a private over-the-water villa. For once, we took it easy – reading, biking around the lagoon, and taking a cooking class. It was a nice break, as Nikki is still working hard in her new economic position. I'm working hard too, and just got back from a trip to the Danang area attending a workshop for reporters working on environmental issues, which included a visit to an island fishing community off the central coast.

Only a few months left in Vietnam and we're trying to see as much as possible before we leave!