More about the Greyhound Racetrack in District 11, HCMC

I thought i might give a little more info about the Horse and Greyhound racetracks in northwest Saigon (district 11).

Here are some more pictures.  The greyhound track is within the oval of the horse-track.  This means, that if a dog-race were to take place, the onlookers would most likely cross the horse-track to get up closer to the dog-track.  Horse-races are watched from the grandstands.  Dog-races, for the most part i assume, would not be watched from the grandstands.  The view would be rather distant.

I hope this beautiful track will finally be put into use soon.  And if it isn’t, i hope i will get to experience it in some way anyway…  Like maybe with the Whippets?

In Polish:

Oto kilka fotek.  Tor wysigowy dla chartow jest w srodku kolka toru konnego.  To znaczy ze jak jest wyscig chartow, widzowie prawdopodobnie byliby przy torach na boisku a nie w widownii.  Jak sa wyscigi konne, widzowie sa przewaznie w widownii “grandstands”.

Mam nadzieje ze ten przepiekny tor dla chartow bedzie uzywane w krotce.  a jak nie, to mam nadzieje chociaz ze bede mial okazje doswiadczyc go w jakis sposob.  n.p. z whippetami.

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Sorry this took so long…

Hello all…

I have been:

- moving into my new place deep in the triangular island of District 4.

- meeting the local musicians and initiating cooperation with them.

- setting up the event for the 30th.

- getting the dogs acclimatized.

So i have been busy.  What new can I tell you?   Well, I was incredibly sick for 2,5 days.  I didnt eat a bite for 42 hours and only drank water.  That was a stupid idea to add agg to my diet and eat it where i chose to eat it.  So you may have guessed, I have very quickly “re-removed” egg from my diet.  As soon as i got better, I started accumulating a list of vegetarian restaurants in town.  Once i feel it is a nice big list,  I will put it up here.  As far as music goes, I  like the way things are coming toogether.  It isn’t happening incredibly fast,  but you just can’t force the speed, I guess.

Here are some pics that i have accumulated over these last days:

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slide1: Yet-to-be-open Greyhound Racetrack in District 11 of HCMC;   Slide2: Map of District4;   Slide3: Rocket & Lajka with some new fans;   Slides4/5: Lajka round town.

Astro on the Streets of Saigon (Entry 6)

I took these pics the day after (or was it the same day?) with Astro.

This photos are of Astro:

1) at a Buddha “Prayer Point”

2) on a very hot street under some signs.

3) posing by a Vietnamese flag-banner

4) posing with street-venders

5) in front of some temple-like or decorated building.

6) selling some Whippet bananas!!

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Rocket from Pocket to the Streets of Saigon (Entry 5)

hello again!

Rocket went out without the rest of the pack.  And PedroInSaigon took pics.  Take in the feel of what we got here.

Pedro caught some nice moments…  i think you will agree.

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The 4th Entry from Saigon

Hello again,

These shots below the text are all from district 4 near the border with district 1. (with the exception of the 3-dog pic in the park in front of the cement bench which is in the center or district 1.)

District 4 is triangular shaped and can easily be called an island.  each of its three sides is bordered by canals and rivers and what-not.  District 1, across a canal, is the true center of town — making district 4 (next-door) one of the neighborhoods that is also quite “downtowny”.

The pic(s) of the dogs in front of the metal fence were taken near my friends house.  The drink is a vietnamese ice coffee which is the most delisious drink i have had in my life.  yes, folks, i am now a coffee drinker!  (i never have been).  the shorter glass next to it is a chaser of sorts that often comes free with ice coffees, beers, etc.  it is a very weak ice-tea with no additives.  i grew to like this because my first two experiences with it where when i was veeeeery thirsty from the heat  –  so i was “open-minded”.  the result is,  i like that “chaser” as well.  everybody has ice, which is, of course,  completely awesome.

another blog will come very soon cuz we took more pics today.  probably better ones than the ones you see here in this entry.

glenn

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The Third Blog from Asia (a.k.a. “the text blog”)

Hello all…

okay, i feel bad about not having any new photos.  and i have been weak in the text department.  so as a result, i decided to write some text today.

so now i will ramble on.

i was at a jam today (on a Wednesday).

From the beginning i will say that i like the place and the musicians were quite good.  it was a pleasant surprise to see that the main musicians like/play in the genres that i like/play in.

now for some interesting tidbits of info….

as you know, these are the tropics down here.

so imagine that you go into a pretty cool venue, with great musicians, nice climate, a nice mix of vietnamese and ex-pats, pretty good sound system, etc etc..

then… imagine you go to the bar (as i did) and you order a beer.

then imagine that the price of the beer is 60% higher than ANYWHERE  you had been to so far…   so in other words, posh in some way. (if you will let me say that).

so i took the beer and returned to listen to the jamming.  as i slowly nursed the expensive beer (slowly to avoid buying another), i looked at the floor…  now remember it is a tropical country!  but also remember that it is a “posh” (or at least expensive) place.

so now….  please guess who/what i saw transporting him/her/its-self across the floor?

guess….!!

breakdancer?               no.

drunk person?             no.

human train of karaoke singers?                        no.

a big fat cockroach?  (karaluch)                             YES!

right in the middle of the club.

of course this doesnt mean that the club is bad.   in fact its a good place i think. i plan to go back for sure.  it only means that we are in the tropics.

and i love it.  

i have met some very cool musicians since i got here — as well as other cool people.  i am pretty happy with the situation.   and let me add that i love the food and the weather.

i also love to reach a state of telepathic positive understanding with the locals.

Second Blog from Vietnam

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I don’t have any dog stuff for you but i will show you some shots from around town here in saigon.  I have decided to collect pictures of funky roadside food and drink sales-points….  you know… buggie-type-things — especially the fresh juice squeezer stands/buggies.

will talk about and show whippie-pics next time, ya’ll

First Blog from Vietnam

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Ok, so here are some pics… mostly from today (sunday).

Peter, the dogs, and I walked around district 4 today.  it was crazy and interesting.  yes, i do like this place a lot,  but there are A LOT of adjustments to make — as you may expect.

The skyline shots are from my friends’ flat in D4 looking towards parts of D1.

I have heard and met some really good musicians, got on the mic 2 times, and the dogs are a hit out on the streets and in the parks.  it’s all very exciting.  i have a lot of things to manage and work out and it won’t be easy,  but it is all worth it and is all very exciting.  :)))   and the people are, in general,  very friendly and smiley.

Sorry that there is not much time to blog too much right now.

glenn