March 23, 2007
My last night in Hoi An, as Quang-Anh and I were walking late at night (not that late though, maybe 10:30?) I heard a dog yelping - and we turned and saw a man beating a dog - I had to turn away - in that time he and the dog disappeared. Most likely it was a case of dog-napping for food. Poor doggie.

Yesterday afternoon I rented a bicycle and rode around Hue, got to a local neck of the woods - ie. no tourists around, lots of dirt roads, beautiful (I mean REALLY beautiful) houses and kids hanging out. Usually when they say 'hello' I answer in Vietnamese - Sin Chao, and I typically get a nice big smile. These kids however said Fuck You. I look shocked no doubt because they said it again. I'm hoping they don't fully know what it means - some 'smart' tourist must have taught them that. At least I hope it wasn't intentionally obnoxious.

I also realized what that vaguely annoying, vaguely familiar sound I keep hearing is - everytime a car backs up - it is the tune of Lambada, the forbidden dance. Who knew it was so popular here??