acaramba.com

Still, to make me feel better, God said: Ut res magis valeat quam pereat, for now you shan't be the one who amuses, but shall be The Fantastically Fawning Fan.

Of---

Their flag is red. And has a star. It's like I made it.

There is something about things being big in numbers and/or in size which I cannot resist. And Vietnam has plenty stuff of the sort:

An assemblage of motorbikes waiting to Go

More slowing down on a tiny flea market street

And yet more at full speed towards wherever we're going.

There is also something about things which offer a stark contrast to the norm:

You will find human-powered bike riders in hats like this lady among the motorbike riders, maybe 50 to 1. Or sometimes, more picturesquely, alone in the city street.

You may also find pretend natives in museum shops of war horrors.

Pages: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4

A sister who did not want to drive, a brother who couldn't be troubled to check his flight details, an aunt who had no address labels, a mom who wanted to be a saint, a friend who was late-ish (ha) did not exactly bode well for my R&R. Add the beginnings of a migraine, the heat and humidity of HCMC, a cabbie who dropped us off at the wrong hotel, and another one that charged us more than what was fair and my temper was all set to go off.

But sometimes the universe remembers its conscience, grows kind and directs its forces to conspire and deliver the fantastic. I was reminded of its ultimate benevolence: PAL seat sale (and flight attendant, a sibling's old friend who gave us a great booty bag) + IHG friend and family rate (courtesy of another sibling's friend who cannot possibly resign his post).

I took to the city instantly. The streets were wide, the greenery was lush and the skies almost constantly blue. It was every bit as tumbledown and shabbying chic as it was luxe and modern. It had a sense of languor about it even as a million motorbikes zoomed by/tried to mow you down. And anywhere you went, there was something to intrigue (wares at Cu-chi), appall (the escalators at Anh Dong market were so ewww), amaze (magic tricks at Bonsai), snicker about (the display convertible Audi's godawful floral decor), or get teary-eyed over (War Remnants Museum).

Here is to making a beeline for the bright side!

My other reasons for hearting HCMC follow.

Pages: 1 · 2 · 3 · 4 · 5 · 6 · 7 · 8 · 9 · 10 · 11 · 12 · 13 · 14

It was a total annihilation at The Emirates last night.

The effect on one Fangirl: chilling.

Losses to ManIOUnited (that the team is so heavily in debt it is about to implode, is the worst insult I can muster now, seeing as Beloved Team was, in nearly every aspect, outclassed) are never easy to take. But Arsenal's first touch, in-between play, and finishing, was so abject last night, I feel more devastated than usual. I, a proper supporter, generally roll with the punches, but I think there's every indication that Beloved Team's title challenge has been knocked out cold.

Miko pointed out that Man Utd. does not even have one Cristiano Ronaldo to help assuage Fangirl's pain (in whatever miniscule measure he was previously able to). Oh and add to my misery the game v. Chelsea next week and the one v. Liverpool in two weeks. Why not? What's another wretchedness or two?

But my Darling Silver Lining (a.k.a. Cesc) made me smile with his dead-on impersonation of Dr. Evil of the Austin Powers franchise.

For the much-needed haha, watch Cesc in Nike's Total Control advert (Cesc is so big now, he gets a major spot for the Swoosh at least once a year and yes, Imma proud momma).

Love. Love. Love.

Sigh.