[where's_the_Outrage?]

Being an Expat I can agree with several things such as the less government and back to an earlier time. I often say living in Thailand is like being back in the US from the 50's/60's.

However, it is not all sunshine either. Nothing major I have experienced, more irritations or doing without. One such irritation is getting food you really like, such as dill pickles, beef, jalepenos, velvetta, etc.

One prime expample of less Government here is that my wife opened an internet shop from her home. She did that by buying computers and opening her doors. Then while operating she spent the next 6 months working with the Government to get the business license and comply with the minimal codes.

[tumblindice]

This is the ex-patriots `tuck-tail-and-run’ thread?

Don’t let the door hit you in the asses as you leave.

[ThanhPhero]

I love the food in Việt Nam. That said, I have a tendency to adapt instantly to the food wherever I am. I don't miss any food things while away from the USA even though when I return I may well get a craving for particular thing more available in the USA. As VN is getting richer, beef is progressively more available. In 2003 when I first went back the Phở in the food stalls was a vegetable noodle soup from bone stock. Each time back the amount of beef was more. Now it is more like a beef noodle "stew."

I don't eat "out" that much.The lady who's family I stay with cooks deliciously. The first time I was there what was prepared for me was different from what the family ate and I was fed first. I had to insist that I got what the family got or conversely the family got what I got. I paid for it, of course. In 2003 they were very poor. Anh was nonplussed. I was both an American guest in a place that had not seen an American or any other foreigner in 30 years and I was of an age that got special respect. But she complied and we all ate very well- still do and we all eat at the same table at the same time.

I took them to a real upscale restaurant in Nha Trang once but Anh was not happy. That was kind of usurping her job, so I didn't do that again. Anh had made a deal with Thông when they married. She required that she would never have to work and in return she would keep the house perfectly. She does that, except that in the poverty days she and her sister spent many hours doing "in home" work, preparing raw food stuff for sale and taking it to market, making mango fritters and shaving rau muống(don't ask) but she has never worked for someone else.

I thought I was going to be an expat for real with wife along (she told me she was ready to go if...) and everything, but Trump won the election and we got a reprieve. I will shortly be back there, this time for a more extended stay. My granddaughter wants to go and with homeschooling that is possible. She is 11. Time for a bit of Geography and Comparative Culture.