We've been back in Hanoi for a week (after Xmas and New Year in the UK) and now we know why the shops in Hanoi were full to bursting point with thick winter coats. When we left on 14th December it was 25 degrees, and now it's 10. The house is freezing and the first thig we did was work out how to use the air conditoners as heaters. There can only be two or three months in the year when the temperature is fairly neutral and the house doesn't need cooling down or warming up!
My major topic this month is 'roots', because I've realised that I've met several men in Vietnam, the type of which I have never really dealt with before. They are 'western', speak with a perfect, but undefinable English accent, and to all extents and purposes are 'English'. But they are not. I suppose that this is a feature of my 'sheltered life' ( joke), but I have never come across people who were maybe born in the UK (or certainly to a UK family), have lived all or most of their life abroad, and so whilst appearing 'English' have no real affinity to the UK at all. They may been educated at a series of international schools or, depending on their parents' postings, in boarding school. They have no real desire to visit the UK and certainly would not wish (ever) to live there (unless it was a work posting). Several admit to being completely 'rootless'. When I ask the 'well worn ' tax domicile question ,"Where would choose to go to die?", then the answer is "Dunno really". Somebody in conversation recently referred to them as 'White Bedouin'. What a great turn of phrase.
So I guess we all have differing needs for our roots and where we feel that ultimately we belong. I was thrilled to feel, on my way back from a business trip in Europe the other week, that I was 'going home' to our house in Hanoi. I don't think that I ultimately belong here, and I know that the UK still has a major part to play in my life, but this experience has really made me question my 'roots' and whether I could ever join the itinerant 'white bedouin'.
Changing the subject, here are some photos...........
Our local 'cock fighting' ring . (I have inserted the word 'fighting' here to prevent my immediate arrest.) Cock fighting is legal here, but gambling on the result isn't.
A fish being kept in a pot by the side of the road at a restaurant (as is the norm here), obviously decided to make a bid for freedom and I watched it jump out of the pot and zig zag across the road. The locals thought it was hilarious that I wanted to take a photo.
A snake on the pavement near our house, eating something or other.
The Xmas reindeer outside our offices (where there is also a shopping mall). I love this photo.
Finally I should let you know that if I have a shiny red nose and veined face the next time you see me , it will be because I have joined the Hanoi Whisky Club. It's run by two venerable Scots guys here and they 'inaugurated' me a few weeks ago.Every meeting you have to take a bottle of single malt. I will be taking a bottle of Welsh Single malt that one of my clients bought me as a leaving present (thankyou Dawn!), but I have no idea whether this will be welcomed as a 'great change' or made fun of as an 'imposter'. Hopefully the former, because it's a fantastic bottle of whisky.
So that's it for now everyone......
Very best for 2013.
Kevin
