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CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-4rGnXT9Ho

I want to include a Texas Hold 'Em game next time Smile

Peace...

just noel · Joined: 17 Jul 2006 Posts: 168

Great video, and great narrative and sub-titles.

You have talent (and I assume, experience).

I hope you keep it up.

It's a positive refresher on the things many people miss, forget, and take for granted.

Cheers!

haller_79 · Joined: 09 Mar 2007 Posts: 145

That is it - that is just what it's like, good job.

Interesting how most of us expats will have very similar experiences, which includes I believe eating the worst food in HCMC, I think the best Vietnamese food is very hard to find in HCMC unless you are really in the know, that is the feeling I get.

winthorpe · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 21

Thanks for the videos, CThomas. They bring back memories, mostly good ones, of my two trips there last year.

If I return, I'll ask you if your Hold'Em games have started. I'm practicing online for my Vegas trip on Super Bowl weekend.

If you want a "nicer" meal, try Vietnam House on Dong Khoi, on a corner about four blocks from the river. A local woman liked it, too. It's the kind of white-tablecloth place that I can afford there but not here in the States.

What's your job? Enjoy.

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Aw, man, the system just ate my post...

In short, thanks everyone! Glad you liked it.

Winthorpe: I'm a teacher/writer/editor at a software company. And I'll look out for Dong Khoi and will leave seat open for you at the hold 'em table. Good luck in Vegas!

jb0072009 · Joined: 26 Feb 2009 Posts: 127 Location: Saigon

Nice video. I too have made educational software programs. That traffic was light! I do not know what streets you took but during rush hour in districts 1,3.5.10 you could easilly double the amount of traffic. You look like your ready to drive your own motorbike now. You have to drive both offensively and defensively at same time. Also you must adapt to some of the viets driving styles even though they are dangerous and illegal (driving wrong side of road, driving on sidewalk, left turn on red light). If you drive like in USA you will get yourself hurt!

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

Yes that was light indeed. I'd get one today if I could, but I'm going to start looking for a motorbike for March/April. Luckily, I have a motorcycle license from the states, so I can easily get one here without going through the test issue. Yea, about the driving style, I realize also you have to go with the flow even if that flow is doing something weird. Such funny traffic here...

Green Acres · Joined: 06 May 2009 Posts: 260

Nice video CT, it's just amazing the way you capture it all, just like a day in the pnl and binh thanh/phu nhuan. Thanks

bailey73 · Joined: 16 Nov 2009 Posts: 7

Great video, CT. I subscribed to follow you on youtube, so hopefully you'll have more to share!

I am very much wanting to move to Vietnam for a year later this year. This video is inspiration!

blateson · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 144

Your pictures look fine, as well as the video footage, but I do think it made VN traffic look pleasant and lovely more than it is, when in reality it gets a lot rougher than that. Also I disagree with your comment that "the sins of war are forgotten." That last word isn't appropriate, it just seems to be 'forgotten' when we westerners show up in Vietnam for a short while and think that the people look 'so kind.' The fact is they aren't, it's just that it's a very different system. In ways that we westerners aren't familiar with in the beginning, the truth is past conflicts are very much not forgotten.

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

CThomas · Joined: 21 Oct 2009 Posts: 380 Location: HCMC, Vietnam

sirenii · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 21

So many of the posts about teaching in Vietnam are negative and jaded, which would be discouraging except that the long-time teachers who warn that the good ole days of teaching in VN are gone forget how new, fresh and exciting coming to SE Asia for the first time is for newbies. Your video was fantastic and a great reality check for those of us who look forward to arriving in VN and living there in the near future. I'm psyched! Thanks so much. Any advice from those of you already there regarding living/working in Danang, Tra Nhang or Vung Tau (I may have just butchered those place names as I've only seen them in the ads and some guide books, none of which are handy right now) versus HCMC or Hanoi?

inky · Joined: 05 Jan 2009 Posts: 283 Location: Hanoi

Please keep in mind that many of those negative, jaded posters were negative and jaded the day they arrived in Vietnam. Also, someone with something negative to say is far more likely to post it on the internet than is someone who's relatively content. You'll also find that many references to "the good old days" refer to times as recent as two years ago, or whenever that poster happened to arrive. The week before they arrived, Vietnam didn't exist, and then a few weeks after their arrival it rapidly deteriorated.

The fact is that it's a vibrant, dynamic country, bursting with life and possibility. Half the population (40 million) under age 25! You can feel the energy and potential, and if you're serious about education, you can participate in that process of progress.

Your question re: other locales, I think Vung Tau offers the most likely job possibilities as well as a pleasant environment especially for a dog-owner, and is only a few hours from HCMC. Nha Trang is very small and also has a sleezy element, and jobs in Da Nang are quickly snatched up by those wanting an urban setting with an easier lifestyle than HCMC/HAN.

sirenii · Joined: 20 Oct 2009 Posts: 21