And I did.
Although I said I wouldn’t drink in Saigon, I found myself doing just that in a very crowded restaurant after work. The sun was down, and the heat was still beating against my brow. Taxies are always an excellent way to get around and a great way to escape the heat temporarily. Our new office is in District 4, and I was headed to Lang Nuong Nam Bo. I couldn’t tell if it was in District 3 or 7; it was all a blur. The colors and lights all start to blend together after a while. It’s beautiful in a very disorienting way.
When we finally reached our destination, I didn’t have a chance to take any outside pictures. It’s this bizarre combination of a restaurant without proper walls. It’s wide open spaces with formal decor, but not in the standard way. It’s all wonderfully mad.
There are tanks of crabs and fish. I smelled and saw all kinds of odd dishes. Some of them are from the insect family. We zipped in and out of areas, between people and around servers. Like the traffic, the people seem to be moving in all directions simultaneously. It’s exciting and exhausting all at the same time.
Once we got inside, though, we were able to get some things to eat and drink! The food was SO GOOD. I don’t even know what I ate. Beef, fish, tofu, spring rolls, everything tasted yummy! I bragged that the beer was light and that I could drink a lot. I’m happy to report I made our country proud. Yeah, I think I’m an alcoholic.
On the plus side, I outdrank some of the guys and earned bonus points. My early days in Tech are starting to pay off. HU-RAH!
I noticed that each table in our area was challenging each other. Everyone’s shouts would get louder, and they would drink more. My table decided to make me their champion, and I went around with my boss to introduce myself and drink with each group. With the guys, I was told I had to go 100%. That meant I had to drink all my beer in one gulp! My reputation was at stake, so I passed with flying colors, making some other guys blush and causing the room to burst into applause. After drinking, we did what proper Asian people do – sing Karaoke!! It wasn’t long before I was belting out lyrics to songs I didn’t know. The louder I yelled, the more excited everyone got.
I have to remember that any Bon Jovi song is still considered a classic and an instant win.
So, where am I in these pictures? You will never see photos of me belting “Its My Life” by Bon Jovi or Last Christmas. And if anyone puts them up on social media, I will report it. Kidding! Maybe.
What a way to end a day! It started with me not knowing how to conduct myself or what I would chat with people about. The team went out of their way to make me feel so welcome. I laughed so hard my cheeks hurt. I clapped so loud my hands stung. I had so much fun; I think my heart grew three sizes bigger this day.
Yo!