My last day:
Ho. As in Ho Chi Minh. We endured a ridiculously long line in awful humidity to see his dead body preserved. I think it was especially crowded because of National Day; Jamie and I were the only Westerners in sight. The line went quickly, however, since they move visitors like a flock of sheep into the mausoleum, around the glass case, and back out. No shorts, no cameras, no phones, no sunglasses, no talking, no stopping. You can only follow the red path and pay tribute to the corpse. The security inside is straight out of Mission Impossible, in addition to the hundreds of armed guards. What's someone gonna do - kill him? Oh wait.
I saw Mao when I was in China 5 years ago, so now I'm 2 for 3 with embalmed communist leaders. I just need Lenin.
Joe. As in coffee. Vietnam's Trung Nguyen coffee is the strongest I've ever tasted. Long, a Vietnamese guy accustomed to the intense blend, said that Starbucks tastes like water to him. Similarly, Jamie couldn't drink coffee in the states after he lived here for 2 years. Basically, it's amazing. I was told the kind I tried, called Weasel, is the best. Why called Weasel? Because the beans are supposedly enjoyed by the ugly animals before they are enjoyed by people, if you know what I mean. Long laughed when he saw my face upon hearing this, and then promised me they don't actually do that anymore. Anymore?
In any case, I'm shipping bags of it (with the special drippers) to my parents. Maybe they'll have skipped this post.
Show. As in water puppet show, an art unique to North Vietnam. Created in the 10th century by farmers desperate for entertainment and with limited resources, the shows depict rural life and traditional folklore. A pool of water is the stage, and the puppeteers control their characters with long bamboo rods from behind a screen. The stories are further animated by a traditional Vietnamese orchestra and multiple narrators, though I just heard shrill noises and screaming.
'Twas a great spectacle overall. I highly recommend it, no strings attached (literally).
Go. As in getting ready to go. Two weeks and millions of dong later, my backpack is not quite as light.
It hasn't hit me yet that I'm actually leaving Vietnam. We've done so many domestic trips that it feels like we're just going on another excursion. To the Mekong, to Mui Ne, Sapa, Halong - something like that. Furthermore, it's weird thinking of Bangkok as home. My previous travels have been in isolated periods of 2, 3 weeks, and then it's back to LA. As if I was released into the world, but then the leash was yanked and I was pulled back in. This is different. I'm a stray. A nomad. It's really an awesome feeling.
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on Sunday, September 4th, 2005 at 8:36 am in II. Vietnam.
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We’re loving this running jpurnal from you. Will tune in regularly. Be safe and much love…
September 4th, 2005 at 8:02 pmCharles! whats up man I feel like I havent talked to you in so long. oh wait. I just caught up on the last few days of your travels and the trip seems like its only getting better. Life in Michigan is amazing. Everything is 100 times better than in the summer (i.e. parties, girls, etc). I like both of my roommates and my room is much bigger than I expected. I hope you keep up those massages in Thailand
ps. MICHIGAN 33, northern illinois 17 (1-0)
September 4th, 2005 at 8:14 pmHolla!! (and yes, I know that hola is only spelled with one l, but holla (pronounced hallaahhhh) is spelled h-o-l-l-a in my book, so shut up!
Yay about the gift, can’t wait…and I guess I’ll wait to open it until you get back…
Mr. Bartley’s is amazing!! Sounds soo good right now. I went there weekly with Harry, you’ll have to go next time we’re there (which might be your first week in college…scary)
Anyways, just watched the Sting with Gabi (I actually watched it, she fell asleep after like 5 minutes). Definitely one of the best movies of all time. Been just relaxing all day - brunch at Pane Fresco (ran into Amanda Thomas, and I was wearing her globetrotting shirt, funny…) then swimming, then relaxing, then Kay & Dave’s take out, then watched the HBO Series Rome with Dad and Gabi, then Sting…Going to tea with Mary Lee tomorrow at our favorite Tudor House, won’t be the same without you. Started packing a little today, skimmed through your closet, might have some borrowing requests later this week
.
Hope bangkok’s treating you well (I think that’s where you are right now), and can’t wait to hear from you again soon (probably from Sri Lanka)…love you!!
-LB
September 5th, 2005 at 1:18 amCharlie, So I guess you can tell from Nick’s latest entry that he’s maintaining his strict exercise regimen. I am trying to get him do some occasional heavy lifting — like bringing me a glass of water — or serious road work — like walking the dog, but it’s hard getting his attention with all the serious end-of-summer slothfulness he has planned. Between that and your mother’s absence in Bradford (and considering her less than Florence Nightingale approach to home nursing), I’d better mend quickly or I could starve. At least Dasher just came over for some friendly nuzzling, so all is not lost (he still runs for the hills as soon as I reach for the crutches, but it’s getting better). Now if I could teach the dog how to make coffee and do laundry, I’d be on easy street. Hope your flight to Bangkok went well. Can’t wait to see some pix! Yours in spirit, Dad.
September 5th, 2005 at 7:57 amp.s. Monday morning. I could use some of that Weasel right now. I think…Dad
September 5th, 2005 at 7:59 amSo I was just let in on this fabulous website! It sounds like you are having an amzing time. It puts a smile on my face thinking about you taking crazy adventures around the world while I am sitting in my apartment watching MTV and drinking an Iced Blended Mocha….whose life is more exciting?
September 5th, 2005 at 4:21 pmHappy trails!
Missy
Hey Charlie! I was in LA this weekend so I stopped by the house to say hi. Nick, Gabi, Evan and I went to dinner at Pizzicotta (I think that’s it) but I was bummed you weren’t there. We all know that you’re the more charming one
Also stopped by the house to check on your dad’s cast (blue–good color) and watch tennis with your mom (Agassi won, whew). If you keep up the good postings you might make it as my home page, but don’t hold your breath.
Be good!
September 5th, 2005 at 5:52 pmCHARLIE my love!
school starts on wednesday– what will hdub do without you? my grandparents came over today and asked how you were…hah.
September 5th, 2005 at 7:58 pmI miss you like crazy. it seems like you are having amazing experiences and fun filled times. i miss my lovely butthole
live it up partner. stay true to your penguin loving self. peace man
luv,
sasha
I have to go to the airport so I’m gonna make this quick, but I just wanted to tell you that you missed the funniest thing ever today…Nick rollerblading! For some reason, he couldn’t use his brakes…haha. I miss you a lot! xoxo, Gabi
September 5th, 2005 at 8:43 pmHey Charlie,
I played tennis with your Mom last week, and of course I asked her about you and Nick. She told me about your travels. WOW! I am so thrilled for you! What an experience. And…this website is awesome! Be safe and keep those pages flowing! Mrs. Taub
September 5th, 2005 at 9:47 pmcharlie! Hey there - sorry ive been neglecting my posting duties…life’s been kinda crazy here in Ann Arbor but clearly nothing compared to your past few days. I mean, sure, I had a run in with a few Bed Bath and Beyond employees but that cant beat your escape from the Vietnamese trail checkpoint guards or whatever they were exactly.
September 5th, 2005 at 10:15 pmSounds like you’re still having a blast - your posts literally radiate with energy, and i love it. Michigan is fantastic now that I’m all settled in. Erica and Justin are both about 3 feet from my dorm room door and Connor Bergman is just down the hall. The LA kids have stuck together to an extent but we’ve all made lots and lots of friends. I guess you could say our little hdub group has just multiplied.
I went to my first football game on Saturday. Walking into that stadium just teeming with 110,971 football fans is an experience I’ll never forget. i remember turning to Erica and saying “If I died, this is where I’d go.” I mean that. Anyway, I start class tomorrow so I should get to sleep but I just wanted to say hello and check in. As always, I miss you.
-Em
P.S. My favorite picture is sitting right next to my computer. About every other person that walks into my room is like “wow, who are those guys in that picture?” (btw its you and zack looking extremely good-looking if i may say so myself) and i never get sick of replying “those are my best friends”
Charlie! God do I miss you…. its really hitting me hard when I realize I don’t have the ability to call you… or even talk to you one on one really…but I hope you know I’m constantly thinking about you! Your travels sound unbelievable and your entries are so well written and fun for us all to read! Thanks for that…. keep it up…
September 5th, 2005 at 10:24 pmMichigan life is amazing. Hard to believe welcome week is over (classes start tomorrow.. but who really cares about classes…?) The parties have been amazing, I love my dorm and the people in it and I’m so happy with the new friends I’ve made. Overall, life is great. I just want you to know that you’re always on my mind and i love you!
Charlie!!!!! I miss reading all your posts so much! Orlando was awesome, the team did really well and we avoided the huricane. I’m so scared school starts on wednesday, I haven’t ever set up my locker yet. I get to see Mrs. Lee tomorrow and i’m sure she is going to talk about you a lot. I don’t know what school will be like without you but I’m glad you are still having a great time. SAT prep still sucks and I’m still jealous of your trip.
September 5th, 2005 at 11:15 pmLots of love,
Hailey
Sup fool.
So great talking to you earlier today! It’s nice to hear your voice every once in a while (that reminds me, I have to change our home message - say something about you globetrotting and visit this site). I’m glad everything’s going so well. I was a little scared earlier today because a plane went down in Indonesia, killing 147 passengers (how many is that for the summer, my god). I knew you were flying today and well, I immediately checked your itinerary and it didn’t mention that airline so I felt better. (I know that you were flying from Bangkok to Colombo, and Indonesia’s not really on the way, but plane crash in Asia freaked me out…anyways, don’t mean to scare you as I know you have a lot flying to do, just wanted to remind you to be safe and keep posting so I don’t worry about you pal.
Can’t wait to see pictures, I hope that they’re up so I can look at them tomorrow! Only g-rated please, I hope to see other pics via email though, haha (that reminds me, I hope to hear more via email…)
Anywho, I have to wake up at 6:45 tomorrow to drive Andrew Bank to school, and I can see that you’ve had a bunch of posts to read today, so I’ll keep it relatively short. Glad you’re having so much fun, glad you’re safe, and can’t wait to hear from you once you’re in Sri Lanka. Happy trails! Love you!
-LB
September 6th, 2005 at 12:20 am