Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Game in Sapa

At some point in our lives, we all participate in the capitalist game. For example, my brother mowed people’s lawn for $5 an hour. He’s … Read the rest



Don’t Feed the Monkeys! We’re Serious!

Before Vietnam, the only way I got to experience monkeys was at the neighborhood zoo. From afar, gorillas, orangatans, and those blue-butted baboons were very … Read the rest



A Shoe and Hand Guide up Cat Ba Mountain

“Shoe, shoe” and we all stopped to stare at our shoes. “Shoe, shoe!” said our guide and she stepped slowly over a twisted tree root, … Read the rest



Learning at the Vietnam Military History Museum

During Season 22 of the Amazing Race (this is a very timely post, I know), contestants competed a part of the race in Hanoi, Vietnam. … Read the rest



Trust Your Grandma, She Knows Food

You know what they say, the older people get, the wiser people are. My grandma often reminded me of this. The adage definitely rang true … Read the rest



How to Walk Across the Street and Not Die in Hanoi

For those of you familiar with LA, you know that nobody walks in LA (thanks, quintessentially 80s band Missing Persons!). People walk in Hanoi. But, … Read the rest



Getting the Most Out of Your Dong

On a trip to Vietnam, I exchanged my hard earned $100 USD for some Vietnamese Dong at an established foreign currency exchange place in LA. … Read the rest