Finding Maddox

Wednesday, February 01, 2006

fine, fine, fine

After being harassed numerous times by our adoring fans, I will post a quick entry... I don't want to lose all of our faithful readers.

It is now Tet, or Lunar New Year, in Vietnam. Tet is a time for family, eating, and for small orange trees. We didn't buy our own tree, but I got to see lots of them riding on the back of motorcycles through Hanoi. Each time I saw one it made me happy, as it reminds me of something out of Dr. Seuss. Of course we have had lots of food, and Katie got to see her dad, so I guess we got the whole Tet thing covered.

We are down in Siagon right now. It is quite different from Hanoi. No lakes, lots of new shiny buildings, better food, lots of tourists, much hotter and a lot less of the post-colonial charm. Hanoi has big government while Saigon has big business. It is hard to say which I prefer, but for now, Hanoi is home, and I'm ok with that. Though it is nice to get away from my incredibly trying life and go on vacation.

We just went to the beach at Mui Ne (a nice place, but it is hard to be too impressed with any beach after Thailand), and Katie laid out with utter determination. While she was striving to become a negress again, I was just shooting for lobster.

Mom and Dad--if you are reading this, Happy Birthday!

Liz, I know you work about 7 times more than I do, but I am only one man. I will try to post some observations and funny anecdotes about Hanoi soon, but as this is a travel blog, it may have to wait until we are on the move again.

Love to all y'all.