the sexiest place on the planet

artist's studio, cu chi, vietnam


This is the studio of the production designer of The Rebel. Something about the architecture and layout emanates sensuality...reminds me of old kung fu movies, but with a rustic twist. (above: bathroom, where the shower could make you feel like you are bathing in a waterfall. below: bed--complete with mosquito net; front entry way.) You should see it all in the moonlight!







Same artist, different location, different day/time. This is a doorway leading to a waiting/meeting room and office.



Must have been the time of night (like 2am), but I was so snap-happy. I don't think I've seen any design like this without it appearing too Orientalist or kitschy. I was told a lot of the wood used in the office's design came from old railroad ties--even sexier! If I ever win some sort of jackpot, I am flying the designer out and having him design my house. No doubt.

Reasons to go back to Vietnam

(a.k.a. Thoughts while waiting for my flight home at Tay Son Nhat airport, 1/22/08, and a.k.a. things to do when I return to Saigon)

- Read in the sculpture garden on Truong Dinh
- Ride a motorbike
- Get one or more ao dai custom-tailored
- Donate more of my time (orphanage or hospital)
- Go to the beach (Phan Thiet, Mui Ne, Vung Tau, etc)
- Fall in Love

essay 2

. . .


ode to jenni

you are so beautiful!
thanks for making my trip so kickass
and for introducing me to all your talented, charming and brilliant friends:

thanks tuyet for helping me volunteer at the school/orphanage
thanks tuan for reminding me that i always have a reason to come back
thanks chris for an awesome day and lovely night in cu chi
thanks huy for the OC tattooist hook up
thanks zoe for sharing your work and your story
thanks sang for reminding me that i'm still as sexy as the next girl
thanks bao, vy, nam, son, lu, and the rock fan club for rockin good times

Back in Business

I have been out of commission for the past couple of days, sick with stomach bugs. Part of not being prepared for Vietnam was not packing the medicine. I did bring Advil, but haven't needed it yet. The funny thing about the "drug stores" in Vietnam selling western medicine are that they all act as though they are pharmacists or doctors. They probably do know what they are doing, but I am not a pill-popper at home so why start, right? Both places I visited gave me god knows what kinds of pills (Priscilla, I'll bring these to you when I get home). The only one I recognized was from the second place (Imodium: my savior, my friend) and that was the only one I took.

All better! Time to party it up for my last couple days here.

Orphanage

essay 1

Tin Cans and Twine

Saigon, Vietnam - Day 4 (Wednesday)

I'm having a hard time communicating with folks back at home, but it's probably better that way. I guess all it takes a few thousand miles, a differences in time zone, and a dial up connection to create communication gaps that rival the Grand Canyon. Of course, in some cases it's more than just those barriers. Funny how it happens that when you really want to keep in contact with people these barriers are negligible. Part of me is glad for the quiet solitude.

Still, this sort of lonely is pretty insettling. I'm surrounded by people who care about me, but wishing for a deep philosophical, spiritual, emotional connection (Further comments about my primal instincts for something physical can wait for another time or blog post). What's even more weird is that instead of finding Vietnam revolting because of this out-of-sorts feeling, I want to stay longer. The challenge to overcome it is really appealing.

Anyway, I have pictures to upload but I'll wait until I have a faster connection at an internet cafe to put them up. Just the usual: food, family, fun and Tiger Beer.

Side note: I really want to learn how to play the bass and want my first performance to be a song with the same name as this blog post. I just need the rest of the band.

untitled

I woke up to the whirr of the fan against a backdrop of motorbike(s) and voices traveling through ceilings and walls.

I am not as prepared to be here as I thought. Maybe its because i was more prepared to leave there.