Bethy and Rach

Our Seder at the Chabad was lovely! It was in a hotel conf. room, not at the actual Chabad. I am really happy we went. The turnout was quite impressive; there was close to 80 people there, most of whom were other travelers. We met some really nice Israeli backpackers (Itamar, Naty, Avishai, Ziza and Yosi) who were all traveling for a few months- lucky them. It's fabulous that they all took the time off to do that. Americans are so far behind in terms of taking time off to travel and see the world. They just don't value it like the rest of the world does (so lame). We met a lot of other people from Europe, Austrailia and Israel, but hardly any other Americans. I think its so important to be able to ... read more

url='/Videos/2555.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2555.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Motorbikingurl='/Videos/2556.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2556.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' The Talking Birdurl='/Videos/2560.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2560.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' making potteryurl='/Videos/2561.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2561.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Pretending to take a Tequila shoturl='/Videos/2564.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2564.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Drinks and Foosballurl='/Videos/2568.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2568.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Rachael's Tai Chi Instructorurl='/Videos/2569.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2569.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' The Pott... read more

url='/Videos/2544.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2544.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' bumpy road down to one of the villages from sapaurl='/Videos/2545.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2545.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Water Buffalourl='/Videos/2546.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2546.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' On the Trekurl='/Videos/2547.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2547.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' School Children So we are currently in Sa Pa, at the end of our journey through the countryside. We took our overnight train, which took about 9 hours. We had hoped we would be lucky and have a 4-sleeper car to ourselves, but we shared it with two German women whom were harmless. The bathroom was fairly fascinating in that it was literally a hole in the train and no TP. Upon arr... read more

url='/Videos/2536.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2536.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' The Craziness that is the streets of Hanoiurl='/Videos/2534.html' onclick='dialog("/Videos/2534.html?popped=1","tbvideo",600,600);return false;' Rach crossing the street So we have arrived safely in Hanoi, Vietnam. Thank goodness because not even before our first leg of the trip did Rachael leave her passport and tickets at the Hudson News counter...thankfully, the woman who helped us ran after us into the bathroom stalls!! The whole trip over was surpisingly pleasant...we really liked Japan Airlines and our kosher meals :) We definitely did it right, sitting upstairs...we booked seats on the window and aisle and thankfully noone sat in the middle so we had great space. I made a penpal on the flight with this college student from Tokyo...he passed me notes on the plane a... read more

An entry from Beth I decided to start a blog more as a journal and a way to keep track of my travels through Vietnam. While it is a short trip I hope to maintain this for myself on future journeys I may take... Why Vietnam? There has been a great deal of positive "stuff" I have heard about the country and a whole lot of history that I just feel a draw there. Back in December, my friend Jon mentioned he would be in SE Asia around the same time I wanted to go to Vietnam. Rachael & I had discussed taking a trip like this together, but after some time the idea never came to fruition. Then about 3 weeks ago, Jon got back in touch and I decided last minute that I would ... read more