A view from my window - look at those bangin' plants on the porch over there! |
(Oh yes - I did have one very close call in the Istanbul airport. The iPhone 3GS my friend Jeff gave me, and which went into a river with me in April on a hiking trip, started freaking out and eventually shut off, not to turn back on. But then I got to my hotel and plugged it in, and it worked, mostly, only freaking out a few more times but not permanently shutting off. I might have to get a new phone, not sure about that quite yet. I'm eyeing it with distrust.)
Our family friend Oanh (thanks Aunt (Minh?) Chau!!) met me at the airport and got me safely to a hotel run by har family's friends (originally I was told I'd be staying with her family, but this is way better. They still cook and do laundry for a fee). She helped me with money and communicated with the proprietor for me. No one has spoken any significant amount of English yet - job security, I guess! It was a fun ride - this city has a crazy energy that I like a lot, so far.
The hazy structure with the green in the center is part of a pagoda with a lotus blossom on top of it. |
I'm completely happy with my hotel room - shower, toilet, fridge, tv, air conditioning, window, ceiling fan, and wifi, all for the insane price of 250,000 dong/night (about $12-13 USD). It's a great place in District 8 (I think) that I would never have found on my own. I hope I won't be here longer than two weeks, though, I'm looking forward to dropping my baggage for a while, getting some plants, and cooking in my underwear. :)
At first I was like, where's the shower? ...Oohhhhhh. |
And yes, you weren't wondering, but another Wilco album does tell the story of the weather this morning - it's Sky Blue Sky. For now - the forecast is for a high of 92 and 60% rain all day... and for the foreseeable future. And on goes the air conditioning.
The best half of my hotel room. |
Peace,
Ben
P.S. I'm going to murder each one of the fucking roosters under my window, I swear to god. Chickens, sheesh. Reason enough to continue eating them. I hope they go extinct.
This is AWESOME!
ReplyDeleteI love your room. It is so cute! And much larger than I thought it would be. I expect photos of the roosters...dead or alive : ) And please do a post about your showering experience!
Also, I think going the walking/riding a bike route will be the best thing in the beginning. Be safe Ben!!
I can't wait to read more about your experiences!!!
~Ally
Thanks Ally!
ReplyDeleteYes, I really lucked out with this little room. Except these monstrous roosters I have for neighbors... MONSTERS I SAY! SLAY THEM.
I'm going to give it a month until I buy a bike. A month of exploring, xe om (motorcycle taxi), and walking should get me familiar enough with wherever I settle.
I did bring my helmet and bike locks, though, so EVENTUALLY I'm going to have to either a) get a bike, or b) face the fact that I hauled heavy, useless things halfway around the world. I'm pretty stubborn, so... a?
Have yourself some rooster for dinner. It will be delicious and satisfying (in more ways than one).
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