12 Bug Bites, More to Come

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Hello again,

I am back! The last couple days have been hectic. It's been one party after the next. First it was G-ma's house in the countryside or something like that. There was soooOoO much food. I didn't realize that my mom came from a simple background. They raise pigs, cows, just to make enough to survive and eat. However everyone is so happy all the time. No one ever fights...my mom's side is really chill. ESPECIALLY my G-pa. He's like.."cool you're my grandchildren...peace." Haha, not exactly like that, but still...really chill and just happy all the time.

And oh my goodness.... can I just let you all know how much my mom's siblings look alike? They are so frickin similiar. It's crazy. There's already resemblence with G-ma and mom...now 5 more sisters and 6 more brothers too??? Aye ya! WEll actually, I lost count. They're all on the charter bus with us though now taking this crazy road trip.

Before I move on, I just wanted to briefly add on that my mom's place is very much like farmland and there isn't really anything to do there. The only thing my uncles could think of at the time was to bring us to the beach. We all got really wet, except for me, and my mom was so happy going into the water while holding her sisters' hands. Oh btw...all my cousins and uncles are RIPPED!!! Haha, my brother David has been going to a gym a lot and has been trying to show off his buffness every time he gets a chance too. But dude...uncles have my brother owned!!! Take that David! =P

Next was to my dad's village in Quang Ngai. He lives in a fishing village. When we arrived...everyone was bustling around trying to get ready for a party. I thought it was going to be a small gathering...but dayam...the whole village was invited out! There were a lot of people and a lot of craziness as well. Anywho, my dad's village is pretty cool too. My dad's side is the most well off there so their houses were nicer looking than the rest. Apparently we own an ice making company and that's really valuable to all the fishermen out there. Plus everyone gets their ice for drinks and food from my dad's side of the family. :-)

I ran into another crazy guy while at my dad's place though. He kept following us around and our cousins would try to shoo them away. Btw, our cousins are so frickin awesome. They take care of us a lot. Don't let us get taken advantage of or anything. Especially me and my sister. They treat us as though we are delicate flowers. Those are the boy cousins...we have girl cousins too and they just cling to us and laugh and tease our Vietnamese. Especially David's. But he brings a lot of attention to himself anyways so it makes sense. He likes it.

Anyway on with the crazy man story...he keeps following us around...even into our aunt's home there. We were playing egyptian ratscrew and he'd take a seat and start laughing with us. Uh...CREEPY!!! But then I learned that he's actually a war veteran. He fought in Cambodia and came back with major PTSD. I got sad and felt bad for him. Then I started thinking about what this country was like during the Vietnam war. It's pretty unfathomable I think.


I have a very funny video of my dad and uncle. I can totally use it as blackmail or something. It's from the party that was thrown yesterday. Ask me and I will show in person though. It's way too funny.

Okay, I apologize for the extremely sloppy writing. I'm tired as heck. And this is the only chance I have to get online for a couple days. The next stop is Halong Bay.

Oh did I mention that I"m in Hue right now? ;-) It's a pretty cool city. Saw the king's palace..rode in those bike carriage things. Went on a boat show with live entertainment. Want to spend more time here but I don't think we have enough time to. Oh wells.

K, gotta go. Hope everyone is taking care in the states and I miss home already!!!

Btw...my brother has at LEAST 30 bug bites so far. Yippee! =P

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Comments

[Aaron Horwitz]

Oh Jesus
Anh, First off, glad you're having a blast. I'm in the Taiwan airport awaiting my flight home and I am NOT lookin forward to it. Secondly, do be careful in Halong Bay. I think you read my blog so you know what I'm talkin about. There are 1000 scam operations a minute running there. Basically, just pay the extra 30 bucks to ensure you get on a good boat. I'm jealous you're in Nam, wish i could go back (well, to the central and the south at least). Have fun and tell everyone "xin chao"

[Dave]

ohhhh
Wow so much! Sounds like you are really having a great time there, I love reading your descriptions of your family and the town. I can't wait to see the rest of your pics :) BTW, do you want to have a joint going away dinner a few days after you get back? Not sure if you wanted to move up on Saturday the 4th, but I was thinking it would be nice to have a going away dinner that night ... I can do the inviting and we'll see who shows up! What do you think? I'll email my other comments :)