Month: April 2019
-
Quirky Things in Vietnam
Things operate differently in other parts of the world. Doesn’t mean it’s wrong, it’s just unusual from what we are used to. Part of the fun is figuring out how or why a certain culture does something the way they do. These are some of the quirky things to be prepared for if you visit…
-
The First Seven Days in Hanoi
Deciding to live on the other side of the world for four months with 17 strangers is a big leap. There’s a lot of preparation beforehand to get you ready for it. However, you can never really 100% plan for something like this. I thought I had done everything right, but once I landed in…
-
Vietnam International Post Office
This was an interesting experience, as they all have been living here in Hanoi for almost a month. Just regular errands turn into a journey. I suppose that’s half the fun of living abroad. You never quite know what you will encounter each day when you open your door and walk out into a new…
-
What Not to Pack for SE Asia
When packing for a four-month long journey to Southeast Asia, it’s difficult to know what to bring and what to leave at home. Especially since you still have a 50-pound weight limit on the plane. I had to pack, weigh, and repack about three times until I thought I had all the necessities. Liquids always…
-
Skills I’ve Acquired Living in Hanoi for a Month
Becoming a ninja mosquito killer. Forget the Fumakilla (bug spray), I’m almost as good as Miyagi without the chopsticks. It’s all about the swift movement of your hands. My secret is to wait in the bathroom for them to find me. Then I can see them easier because they stand out with a white background.…
-
Lost My Soul in Seoul
As I departed the plane onto my final leg to Vietnam, I’m exhausted, so hot I think I have a fever and pretty much delirious from lack of sleep. The Asiana airplane did NOT have good air-circulation. In Seoul, it was only 44 degrees, as I merged into the gang way, an icy cold blast…
-
27 Hours of Traveling
I’m 17 hours into my journey to Hanoi, Vietnam. Not going to sugar coat it, this is the worst part of traveling—the horrid long flights to get to your final destination. Thankfully, economy is getting roomier. Last time I flew to Japan was 20 years ago, and I was much younger then. I remember being…
-
Vaccines for Travel to Southeast Asia
When you are traveling overseas for a long period of time, you may need to get vaccines. Before this extended journey four months abroad, the longest I was out of the States was usually about two to three weeks. So I never got vaccines before. Short trips are not as much of a concern, or…
-
Preparing Your Pet for Extended Leave
I have a beautiful, spoiled calico cat. I rescued her from the humane society 10 years ago. She has been with me through a lot of good and bad times in my life—divorce, writing and publishing all 11 of my books, moving four times and starting my business. To say the least, we are very…
Nomad Publisher 