Well...

I have been putting off writing this particular blog for awhile now because I am very embarrassed about what I have to say, but figure this is a good opportunity to tell the whole story, and hopefully minimize the amount of times I have to talk about it! So! That being said.... Hanoi did not go as planned! The purpose of the trip was to get our visas stamped again entering the country, and the task was completed successfully, but that is about the only thing! When we were deciding where to go we were looking into Thailand and Cambodia first because you don't need Visas and they are fairly close. Then deciding that due to the rainy season and flooding there we would rather not chance that sort of vacation so, "Hey! Let's go to Vietnam!" We were both very excited about this prospect, neither of us having been before. So we went to about ten different websites that sell tickets, hotel, packages etc. to Vietnam, almost every single one was a dead end, so finally we called a travel agent. I personally talked to this woman and figured out all the arrangements over the phone for about 25 minutes. At this point, I'd like to say, it would have been nice if one of the websites mentioned, or the TRavel Agent mentioned that one needs a Visa to go into Vietnam (Even though all the other surrounding countries don't require one)! One website did mention Visas, but said you don't need one if you are only going there for less than 15 days. Apparently that rule doesn't apply to me or Norman though!
So after a grueling day of flying we got into Hanoi about 11:30pm, because, of course, it was delayed. We get up to the customs window and I'm saying, "Wow! I can't believe I'm in Vietnam!" When the guy looks at my passport and sends me to the customs office. We started talking to a customs official about it, who understands the situation, says it happens, tells us we can still get in, we just have to basically post bond with our airline official (bribe), and we it will all be sweet. He gets the airline official. The guy had the choice to help us or not basically, and he choose to not. He misrepresented himself and didn't explain to us anything. Meanwhile, they have confiscated our passports and tickets, and we realize this man who was sent to help us is leading us to the waiting area of the airport and is just to leave us there claiming he would come back at 9am for us! The conversation that followed got pretty nasty, I was beginning to think Norman is going to knock this guy out and we are going to be sitting in a Vietnamese prison all night! Actually, at that point, that scenario was almost appealing, considering it would have been a much better story than "We got deported because we're idiots without visas!" But in any case, Norm didn't knock the guy out, who really was SUCH a complete Dick! We probably could've worked it all out with a call to our travel agent at least, but our phones didn't work there, there was no internet..... Well, it gets worse. So we quickly discover that the one little restaurant they have is closed, there is no bar, and they turn out the lights, and we are stuck all alone in a dark airport with maybe 2 security guards for the next 9 hours until we get deported! One security guard told us to go us to the restaurant where there are long benches we could sleep on. So we go there, and we start watching a DVD on a computer, and then one of the security guards comes up with an empty bag and loots the joint, leaving with 2 bags full of ???? I guess food, liquor, who knows! She hops back over the bar and leaves. Another security guard comes and does the same thing! Then they are gone. And I see my first rat. And it's big. And it's about 5 feet away. So we move to the middle, away from the benches and bar, take a few chairs and push them together to make a little bed. I fell asleep. Norm almost fell asleep, but then he saw o rat move under my chair, and another one staring at us a few feet away. So Norman got no sleep, spent the whole night up scaring off the rats. He said he saw about 9. And they were big too. So the next morning, no one came to get us. We found the flight we were supposed to be on and they had our passports and tickets, and we are out on the first plane back to China. We fly into Guangzhou and go to book are flight back to Shanghai from there, and they tell us the airport is closed because of 'lack of visibility.' We spend the whole day in the airport. Finally get on a flight, it is delayed. We get back home about 10pm that night. I figured out we spent 28 hours in airports and 6 in flight. Our home has never felt so good! Shanghai felt like home too, and it was such a relief to be back in such a civilized, safe country! :) It was the trip from hell. Absolutely horrible. And it keeps getting worse every time someone says, "How was Vietnam?" and we sound like idiots! While we both accept responsibility, I have to say, the thought never passed my mind. I put blame on the travel agent, Norman blames Andy Vinning. Either way, I'm sure it will turn into a hilarious tale to tell someday after the disappointment and humiliation fade away! Lesson learned, won't make that one again! So there you have it. A very honest account of Hanoi. Maybe we'll try again sometime!

Going to Hanoi!

Hey There everyone! Happy Thanksgiving! I have to say, I will definitely miss the turkey and pumpkin pie this year! These last 2 weeks have ben a bit rough. I got a chest cold, then Norm got a chest cold, then I had a stomach bug, then Norm had a stomach bug...But we seem to be doing better now! (Knock on wood!) Reports from friends say that it is Normal to be sick on and off for the first 3 months you are here, but the recent report says even the locals are sick and it is just cold and flu season like it is every where else in the world! Oh, someone recently left a comment on one of my blogs, but I can't see it! :( I got so excited, but when I tried to look I got blocked again, still have no idea what I have been writing, so please feel free to email me.... ameliakallman@hotmail.com.

Went to a Buddhist temple the other day. It wasn't a touristy one, it was very real and private one. We were out on the bikes exploring and happened upon the temple. It is 2 kwai to go in, and they give you incense to burn. I guess I crashed a Buddhist funeral. There were monks chanting, banging on drums, woman burning pictures of a man. One guy nicely informed me I had to hold the incense in my left hand. The Temple is so beautiful, I would've loved to have taken pictures, but didn't feel it was appropriate. Then they burnt paper money. It was really interesting to see! So they have stores filled with stuff for shrines. One thing I get a kick out of are these boxes with paper replicas of things like Louis Vutton suits, sunglasses, cars, cigarettes, giant dollhouse looking paper structures where every room has an AC and big screen TV, and a cop standing guard outside! These are things that you wish for or presents you present the gods in hopes that it will come true?! You don't ever actually see them sitting around the shrines, so I suspect they burn them?! I really don't know but am fascinated by the stuff! To me it is hilarious, but I bet they take it pretty seriously! If you have some incite, please let me know! I will post a few pics of what I am talking about now on my flicker site! www.flickr.com/photos/ameliakallman

So we leave to go to Hanoi, Vietnam in an hour! I am SO excited! It is supposed to be warm and beautiful! I just read a friend of a friend's blog who has been there and it sounds like a very fun, interesting place to be! I liked the part when she said everything was so cheap you feel guilty if you Don't buy stuff! haha! When we return our friend Joey Altruda from LA will be coming! We are going to have a big party while he's here too! I'm working on my Chinese and had a first experience with a woman in a store, actually communicating with her! It was so exciting! Anyways, just wanted to wish you all a Happy Turkey Day! I told my mom we had to do this meal when I am home for my visit! I will write a blog when I am in Hanoi or get back!

Here's a long one...

Hey There! So I don't know if anyone still reads this, but it is interesting to me how my perception and opinions have changed since I got here. I am actually very happy now because I can tell you the things I don't like about being here! That makes me feel good because it means I'm becoming less of a tourist and more of a civilian! First of all, every time you call someone, instead of hearing the phone ring it plays the same, horrible, sappy, classical violin tune! The first time I heard it I thought, "Oh this is nice," But now I know better! They follow rules to a T here! To an almost absurd degree! I walked into the grocery store and saw the one product I needed directly in front of me but behind a uniformed security guard. I went to reach for the item (I could practically touch it) and was informed I had to walk the other direction, around the produce, through the aisles, through the pharmacy to come around to get it form the other side! I was trying to show him, 'it's right here, I got it, no problem,' but he wasn't having it! Then yesterday, the gate keeper, who is very chatty and loves to talk to me (I have no idea what he's saying of course, but it's cool...) Made me move my bike 3 inches over for no apparent reason...another funny story about him is...I guess Norman left his lock on his bike but unlocked by accident, and the next morning I came out and he proceeds to show me how he picked the bike up and kept it over in front of his office and looked after it for us, but I mean, he could've just locked it! I know he meant well though! The roles of men and women here are fascinating to me. This is the first generation of teenage girls here really, who now have opportunities, don't have to just get married, and are a lot more urban and worldly, etc. And because there are so many more men than women here, they are put on a pedestal in some ways. You can see this very much in the 'little princesses' who throw temper tantrums in the super market, dressed by their mothers in designer clothes, and the response by the adults around them is just to fawn over them, give them what they want, and you can sense there is very little behavioral discipline happening there. (But again, this is the newly rich Chinese, truly a class of their own!). For me it is funny because the Chinese girls I meet at parties and am friends with and such fit into a few different categories...One type is the girls in their 30's and 40's (Who look like they are in their 20's) who have broken tradition by working, not marrying, dating 'lou whia's" and tend to be very territorial and guarded...almost smarmy, like you know whatever they are saying is not what they are thinking. (Read: Not very friendly to me, but very interested and nice to Norman!) Then there are the girls who fawn over me, telling me how pretty I am, touching my hair, asking politely "May I touch your boobs?" And then...oh my gosh....I went to a house-warming party last night and had a really great time! So funny though, when you got to the party you 'had' to do a tequila shot with my friend Ukachi (you know, to sterilize everyone so we weren't spreading germs! haha!) and it was hilarious watching him try to explain to these girls how to take a shot (lick your hand, salt, shot, lime). They were not into it, following it, or getting it! A lot of the girls come across So naive here and up for anything. Then there are the cool ones, who are well eduacated, have traveled, good people. You also see the other side...That it is very much a man's world here, like in the gym the man's room has a steam room, private jacuzzis' and lounge, when the woman's room doesn't (WHy not? I'm starting a petition!) So the party last night...so funny! There were a ton of people there, but Norm and I and 2 of our guy friends were settled in around the couch with tons of Chinese girls in (unbelievably) short skirts sitting all around on laps of obnoxious fratboy-types, and we were talking and joking (making fun of) some of the guys right there, but in urban slang and code so it went right over everyone else heads! It was so funny! (We weren't being cruel, just one person in particular just gave us a lot to work with and we were just having a good laugh!)....We left when the threat of body shots really looked like it might happen! A few Americans, a few English, and group of French, and lots of Chinese! It was very much a Shanghai party (one girl kept trying to get me to taste her Whisky and redbull, while another one I think really wanted to kiss me). I can see why all my guy friends love it here so much! haha! This week I made a 1920's outfit out of 2 tank tops and 2 scarves, I am so proud of it! But we ended up not even going to that party! I'll have to take some pictures anyways! I started Chinese class, I have a tutor coming twice a week now. I can play my first song on the guitar! I am really loving playing, and I'm playing all the time. I've been going to the gym everyday and swimming. Today I took my first Tai CHi class, which I love so much! I pick it up very fast and my ballet training comes out a bit....I really would like to master while I'm here. I painted a picture, which I'm not even sure I've ever really done before! I am in love with my bike too! It is so nice to ride around, especially now this the leaves just beginning to fall and the air is very crisp and fresh. The landlord is here right now installing our cable! I can watch the news now! Yea! Tomorrow we are playing poker for the first time since we left NY! Friday we went to a 'fashion' show with friends and then to a Japanese restaurant for dinner with 10 people. Norm and I closed if off at Logo, where Norm's going to start deejaying there from his Rock-Steady-Dub collection, probably doing a complete Version set with him shouting in his best Jamaican accent on the mic of course! He is working on a very exciting art project right now that I suspect will be a big success! His 'turrets' is growing by the day! The other day he was loading something onto his bike and pretty soon there was a crowd of 18 people standing around, offering advice, 'helping' etc, with Norm singing and dancing and shouting curses and rude phrases, pointing at people, getting them to dance! To the point that I am grabbing my tummy with laughter because I can understand what he's saying, and he's so bad!! But they don't understand and they all just laugh and get into it! It's really cool actually! I'm a little more shy myself! Oh...here's a story for you! I have flash-cards of the Chinese I'm working on this week, and in Shanghai everyone rides in the front seat of a cab when it's just themselves, so I was up there practicing my Chinese with the cab driver (Like I have done before). They usually get a big kick out of me, but help me to hear the pronunciation, teach me new words etc. Anyways, I pay this guy and go to get out and all of a sudden his hand comes around and he quickly squeezes my right breast! Ahhh!! I got out after slapping his hands and shouting at him, but I'm a little traumatized now! (Actually, after the initial trauma, I really can see the humor in the whole thing!) My Chinese guy friend told me that he probably had never seen anything like them and thought this might be his only opportunity in his life and I probably made his dream come true! That made me feel a little better, but I think I'm back to riding in the back seat for awhile! At least till my Chinese gets better!!!! That is So not typical of men in Shanghai...they are mostly very respectful. There is a lot of misconceptions though about Americans all being promiscuous and over-sexed. The boys were telling me everything the Chinese know about us is from American movies, and everything they remember about the movies are the sex scenes. I went to an art gallery opening yesterday..."Mu Yu Ming's World" Very cool stuff, I'm sure there is a website out there. Also met a photographer, who has a banned website here but it is www.robertvanderhilst.com, he has been taking pictures all over China. For the last 2 weeks he was with the "Yi" (Pronounced yee) people in the mountains in Central China (Botou I think). They are a very small group of people who have rejected change and the modern world. They only eat potatoes, they live in huts that have nothing in them except a fire, sleep on the floor, and he says they are very dangerous people and will do anything. There is no security in their life, they don't bathe at all either. The children all smoke cigarettes and drink liquor. He says they have a bad heroin problem and AIDS as well. They speak their own language too and don't communicate outside of their 'tribe'. It was neat to talk to someone who had seen it up close and was obviously very affected by it. Well, this turned out to be a lot longer than I thought it would, I guess I have a lot to say! Oh! We are going to Hanoi for a week in about 2 weeks! Neither Norm or myself have ever been there so that is very exciting! We have to leave the country every 3 months because of our Visas, like a forced vacation! The top, most expensive hotel thee is only $30 a night! I have also booked my trip to come back home for a visit January 14-28, which I am very excited about! Well, that is enough about me! I'll put up some new pictures now too! Hope you are well! Love, Amelia

Hey There

...So I just got a Skype number! It is (646) 233-4118. So you can call me from the US and it is like making a local call! It just rings me on my computer! I can call you now too from it! Also, if you sign up for Skype the calls between us are absolutely free! It is really easy. Went out to dinner with some friends last night at a very good Indian resturant. They have been very helpful with advice and business suggestions. They said the Chinese don't do favors. Like I help you, you help me. They just don't see the point. Also, they said the Chinese don't believe in the future. They will try to sell others the future, but to them the here and now are the only thing they trust. And then finally, their last bit of wisdom, "Asia ruins men," which was followed by blushing and schoolboy giggles. I'll leave it at that! So call me sometime! I can't wait to see how it works! xxx

Hello There!

I'm not quite sure where to start today, so I'm going to jump right in! The got some incredible food here! I have 3 favorite resturants right down the street. At the one, which is Cantonese, They do this bite-sized chicken you have to gnaw at and the remove the bones with your fingwers (or spit them out, the Chinese way), with whole pieces of garlic. THen the 3 vegetable dish with Daikon, eggplant, and pepper. I actually think I have mentioned this meal before! Have an awesome Indian resturant, and then a Chinese diner, where my favorite is the 'Beef and cucumber Pancakes," which is nothing like what we think of as a pancake. I just got this drink that looked like it could be a chocolate egg cream or a chocolate milkshakeWhen we first got here Norm order a Berry Muffin some place, and an hour later they brought out half a waffle with beautifully carved apples! Go figure. That being said, I've started to look a little 'Britney,' which brings me to my latest favorite thing. I just joined this club (sort of like soho house or a country club). It's called the Ambassy because it is right across from the American Embassy and literally 2 blocks from my place! I just got back from 3 hours, at the gym, then doing laps in the heated indoor pool, and then relaxing in the suana and jacuzzi! The bast part is, I practically have the place to myself! I am very excited about it! I haven't been in a gym since I left NY, about 4 months ago, so it feels really good! Poor Norman has the cold I had a week ago and has been in bed all day. We finally finished the 4th season of LOST so we can get our life back (Got really addicted to it...we still don't have English cable...)!! I got the tailor ladies to make me some curtains for my little room/the guest room. They are so funny. If they want to show you something or tell you something, they will grab my arm, or tap me with their hand over and over again. At first I thought 'that's rude' but it's really just the way they communicate. If I do it back to them they get a good laugh out of it too! Wed. we had our friend Panthea, who is a well-known journalist here, and her friend Simon, who is from...I want to say Thornsbury? Right outside Bristol! We had a lovely meal and good chatter, then Norm made Bannanas Foster, which was so good! Then we went to a party at the MOCA, which is Shanghai's modern art museum. We stood out in our costumes, but it was nice to see so many people put forth an effort! Youtube is back on! Been working and keeping busy. I'm actually exhausted right now, so this is more or less a boring blog today just to say Hi. MIss you folks! Love, Amelia