Fruit Shakes Anonymous

My name is Wren and I'm addicted to fruit shakes. It all started very innocently: "Maybe I will try a mixed fruit shake instead of a fanta", I told myself. Then it became having one with every meal, if it was convenient. They are a healthy alternative to soda, right? Well, that may be the case, but it has gotten out of hand. Fruit shakes vary by country and even by restaurant. (Believe me. I've become an expert.) In Thailand, they were mostly just fruit, occasionally a vegetable or two, and ice. It all goes into a blender and comes out a slurpie-like consistency and is delicious. Cambodian fruit shakes tended to have less ice and were more like a pulpy juice, but still not bad. Here in Vietnam, occasionally they will add milk or yogurt to form a more creamy mixture. So now I am averaging about 4 fruit shakes a day (with the occaional 6-a-day binges). Ask anyone that has travelled with me and they will tell you: if a fruit shake ain't on the menu, we ain't eating there. I prefer a good mixed fruit shake because you never get the same thing twice. My favorite place in Thailand put tomatoes and carrots in theirs. I'm pretty sure one I had yesterday had avacado and dragon fruit in it. If mixed fruit isn't available, I occasionally go with a coconut, pineapple, or watermelon (thanks for the tip, Nate). I don't know what I will do back in the states where quality fruits aren't available at ridiculously low prices. Turn back to fanta, I guess.

Friday December 15 2006

File under: travel, food

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on Fri 15th Dec, 2006 04:00 pm UTC Sara said: Have you had bubble tea? There are several places here that have it and I've heard it's good. ************************ on Fri 15th Dec, 2006 06:15 pm UTC Saxtor said: Well, I don't have much to compare it to, but I've had smoothies that you've made and they've been pretty choice. I'm sure you'll get by. ************************ on Sat 16th Dec, 2006 12:50 am UTC jenelevator said: you need a fruit shake dispenser! on a hat. you know, like the kind that crazy americano futbol fans have with the beer cans? then you can have fruit shake sustenance whilst travelling to the next awesome fruit shake experience. oh yah, and does the watermelon fruit shake come in a hollowed out watermelon?! paradise i tell ya. ************************ on Mon 18th Dec, 2006 06:57 pm UTC amanda said: you should ask for a recipe and make your own when you get back! ask for a blender for your bday ************************ on Fri 22nd Dec, 2006 01:43 am UTC nathan said: mmm watermelon shake . . . ************************

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A long search is over

For almost as long as I can remember, gramicci shorts have been my uniform. They are comfortable, durable, and even stylish enough for the likes of a slob like me. But in the past couple years, I've had a hard time finding the right size, color, style combination (not to mention recent inconsistencies in fit). Enter Hoi An, Vietnam. This place, which was one a major trading hub with the Portugese(?), has clothes shops on every corner with quite persistant sales women. Wearing my ragged gramiccis through the market yesterday, I got talked into having a replacement pair made for me. I was skeptical of the whole endeavor. But lo and behold, I return today and was knocked off my feet. My new pair is so like the old ones, it is uncanny (minus the tears and holes, of course). I commissioned another pair on the spot. On top of the satisfaction of getting such a great pair of shorts, the transaction felt good because I knew wearing my clothes were coming from. Over at his blog, Saxtor mentions his concerns on globalization, esp. as it affects the clothing industry. While I don't share his point of view entirely, bypassing all the middlemen and corporations that are usually involved did give me a sense of everyone involved getting a fair deal. Time will tell on the quality and durability of the purchase, but in the mean time, I've made a friend in the seamstress and I've got a great story to tell.

Wednesday December 13 2006

File under: travel, Vietnam

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on Wed 13th Dec, 2006 04:59 pm UTC Saxtor said: Awesome awesome awesome! I have considered looking into this same route for a jacket, although it would definitely be more expensive to be custom-made in the US. That is just great you managed to get yourself a recharged pair of "Grahamichee" shorts! ************************ on Wed 13th Dec, 2006 08:07 pm UTC Chris said: See if they can make me a replica uniform with built in kevlar, probably be better and cheaper than what Uncle Sam gives me. ************************ on Thu 14th Dec, 2006 02:04 am UTC Andrew said: get her to knit me a car-cozy. my subaru is getting cold in the bitter northeast. ************************ on Thu 14th Dec, 2006 02:31 am UTC Sarah said: Saxter- Did you think about a Patagonia? They are a great company and they have a wide range of every day to "performance wear". Their clothes are mostly made in the US (some of their jackets are made in China). But they have good business practices. They have a great in-store and on-line sale in Feb. with great deals. Also Cloudveil (American) or Mammut (Swiss) are other, i think, "sound" companies. REI doesn't really stock any of these three brands. (But you shouldn't shop at REI anyway :-)) I have an aquaintance that works at Mountain Soles here in Portland repairing outdoor gear; she says Arcteryx is the best. They rarely repair it and when they do it's almost impossible to fix b/c it's made so well. Sorry to ramble on. nice work on the shorts Wren. The last time I met you you were digging trenches and were wearing the same shorts without washing them at all for the entire summer. they were liek cement shorts. kind of gross... ;-) these don't happen to be the SAME PAIR? ************************ on Thu 14th Dec, 2006 05:32 am UTC Mom said: Wren, I understand that you can also get a tailor-made 3-piece suit--the buryin' & marryin'kind--quite reasonably as well. Ya never know when it'll come in handy. TeeHeeHee. ************************ on Thu 14th Dec, 2006 06:01 am UTC Kevin Iga said: Wait, for burying or marrying? ************************ on Thu 14th Dec, 2006 05:55 pm UTC Saxtor said: Sarah, to not further clutter Wren's blog, I responded to your comment on mine. ************************

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Sledding

Some years ago, Jule and I were in New Zealand and had the opportunity to try out a little thing called sand sledding. Being the stingy young 'un that I was (yes, folks, I say was. You got a problem with that?), I opted to watch instead of joining the masses hucking themselves down the hill looking like they were really enjoying themselves. Ever since, I have kind of regretted not joining the fun. Well, Vietnam has given me a do-over. The white sand dunes outside of Mui Ne aren't quite the same as those at 90 mile beach in NZ, but they were nonetheless spectacular. And while I ended up with pockets full of sand and completely out of breath from trudging up the dune, the sledding was totally worth it.

Tuesday December 12 2006

File under: travel, Vietnam

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on Tue 12th Dec, 2006 03:44 am UTC Andrew said: dude. vietnam is always biting our style. http://www.brothersroot.com/blog/?p=252 ************************ on Wed 13th Dec, 2006 12:54 am UTC Jule said: Was you stingy or a youn'un? or both? what are you now? I am so confused! ************************ on Thu 14th Dec, 2006 06:27 am UTC sweet julie said: you dirty boy! ************************

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Good Morning Vietnam

For you food lovers out there, I've got a doozy. But first, a quick note. I'd like to apologize about the negative tone of my previous couple posts. They aren't necessarily a reflection on a change of attitude towards traveling, as some have suggested. It is more just that travelling isn't always sunny. I have tried to do my best to keep this blog that way, but I must have let a couple slide. (Actually, just that one, because the Christmas lights one was actually a happy one that was just poorly phrased.) After a long day of travel yesterday, I woke up this morning on the beach in Mui Ne, Vietnam. (Okay, not technically on the beach, because the sand fleas would have gotten me, but close enough.) To celebrate a new country, currency, and culture, I went out for a big breakfast. I ordered a tomato omelette, fresh orange juice (no ice), and a pineapple pancake. (I was hungry). The omlette turned out to be huge and come with prolly 3 sliced tomatoes and 2 baguettes. Then came the "pancake", which was actually breaded, deep-friend pineapple slices, served with sweetened condensed frosting of some sort. So good, yet so unexpected. Tea was thrown in as a freebie, with the total bill coming to 37,000 dongs (quit that snickering), which is about $2.50. After nearly 3 months of traveling, this is the first real cultural breakfast I've experienced, and I loved it.

Saturday December 9 2006

File under: travel, Vietnam

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on Sun 10th Dec, 2006 10:06 am UTC bob said: i had a fun "cultural breakfast" experience in bolivia too. i was starving and decided to go for the "farmer's breakfast", which turned out to be a mountain of rice topped with two 12-ounce steaks topped with two fried eggs and covered with gravy. yours looks a little more appetizing. ************************ on Sun 10th Dec, 2006 04:19 pm UTC Andrew said: dude. i miss your "American Breakfasts" of Thailand. Tell me they aren't gone! ************************ on Mon 11th Dec, 2006 06:43 am UTC Wren said: Bob: That pretty much settles it. I'm headed to Bolivia next. Andrew, they aren't calling them "American Breakfasts" anymore, but they are same same...but different ************************ on Mon 11th Dec, 2006 11:58 pm UTC Sonya said: Wren, Leah has been solo in Vietnam. I am going to forward your blog to her. ************************

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Holiday in Cambodia

Leave it up to the Americans (in this case, at the U.S. Embassy in Phnom Penh) to bring in that special Christmas cheer. And to top it all off? Why Alvin and the Chipmunks singing "Please Christmas Don't Be Late", of course.

Friday December 8 2006

File under: travel, Cambodia

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on Fri 08th Dec, 2006 06:45 pm UTC Saxtor said: I know this isn't exactly the most festive thing to say, but the words Phnom Penh may be among the most mind-bogglingly crazy words to process through the English filter. The only way I think I could get close to pronouncing those two words would be if I had a cold like that creature in Flight of the Navigator. And have you ever heard "Please Christmas Don't Be Late" played at slow speed so the Chipmunks sound like normal dudes but Dave sounds like Satan's spawn? Hooowee! ************************ on Sat 09th Dec, 2006 02:37 pm UTC Trista said: Sweet. I love Americans, and the chipmunks! ************************ on Mon 18th Dec, 2006 06:51 pm UTC amanda said: sorry, but ick! how obnoxious! and if you think that is bad you should check out Causland Park. get someone to take a picture. whoever decorated should be fined for creating a public nuisance. ************************

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An Open Letter to My Fellow Travellers

Dear Fellow Traveller, It sure is amazing that we're here, eh? To be in Phnom Phen, halfway around the world, getting to experience this totally different culture: We really are so lucky. I hope you share that sense of amazement with me. In addition to seeing this oh so different culture, it has been great meeting you, my fellow travellers. For sharing your travel histories, as well as information about your home countries and lives, I want to say thank you. I do, however, have some beef. I share it with you not only to get it off my chest, but also in hopes that you will listen and consider what I have to say. After all, my experience travelling is affected by what you do, both from direct interactions, and in indirect ways (how a community welcomes travellers greatly depends on how previous travellers have acted in the past). For starters, the Lonely Planet is a guide book, not a rule book. The next time I hear "but the Book says...", I think I might go insane. I have nothing against Lonely Planet. Its information about schedules, activities, accommodations, and maps has been helpful in the past. But it has also been dead wrong. So do me a favor, dear traveller: pass a day (or two or three) without carrying around the Book. Choose an accommodation based on the look and feel of the place, rather than words written by someone else over a year ago. Take a chance on a place that wasn't included in the "things to do" list. But most of all, please stop quoting the suggestions and cautions from the LP as ones of your own or those of your friends. If it is in the LP, it is not insider information. Secondly, if you choose to take advantage of nothing else of the culture here but the cheap beer prices, please keep quiet and try not to do anything stupid. Since we keep exactly opposite schedules, I suspect I will never meet you, which is all for the best, I guess. But please have the courtesy to realize that some people are here for more than the $.50 Anchors or the $3.00 buckets, and act accordingly. Cultural exchange is a two way street, and please don't litter it with your vomit and curse words. That said, I know I speak to only a percentage of you travellers. We all have our own reasons for being here and our own agendas. I will do my best to respect yours if you return the favor. Cordially, Wren

Thursday December 7 2006

File under: open letter, travel

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on Thu 07th Dec, 2006 10:01 am PST Jule said: $.50 beers! I'll book my flight now! (But the lonely planet says they were $.30. What gives?). By the way, I object the abbreviation of Lonely Planet as LP, as the only true LP is the soda from New Zealand, and that I did carry with me all the time while travelling and will never give that up. On a serious note, nice rant Wren. I agree! The Lonely Planet is overused and good ole travellers intuition is underused. I bet you are going to some great uncrowded places going by word of mouth. Keep up the great blog! ************************ on Thu 07th Dec, 2006 04:10 pm PST Sarah Fate said: Wren, sorry to exploit you like this but... Jule, I lost your email. oops. Just wondering if I'll see you over Christmas? We will be on Samish for 4 nights with my parents and Alice and her new hubby. It would be great to hang out-I think we'll see your mom for sure the 23rd. my email is sarah@chubbyhiker.com. Thanks Wren! ************************ on Thu 07th Dec, 2006 05:45 pm PST MOM said: Dear, dear, Wren, You sound travel-weary. Your experience is wonderfully rich in culture unfortunately travelers view their experiences through their own lenses. Don't let your lenses get in a fog. ************************ on Fri 08th Dec, 2006 08:34 am UTC Wren said: Jule, I hear where you are coming from, but I always referred to Lemon & Paeroa as LnP or L&P, so I am going to stick with LP for lonely planet. ************************

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The Big Old Angkor Post

So I've spent the last few days exploring the ancient area I am calling Angkor. You would think after a couple days exposed to loads of information on the place, I would at least know what it is called. Well, there are a bunch of temples (Angkor Wat, Bayon, etc.) that are organized into cities (Angkor Thom, etc.) But for the purposes of this, we will call it all Angkor. I decided to do Angkor slowly, rather than rush through it like many tourists who seem to all follow the same itenerary from some book. I bought a three day pass (for $40) with plans of not necessarily doing 3 full days, but having that option. It turned out to be a great plan. I went up at around 9:00 each morning, and spent the day looking at various temples, enjoying lunch, and reading. One day, I rented a bicyle and rode the 12 or so kilometers up to the temples. After heading out to some of the less visited, less restored temples and trying (but failing) for a geocache, I'd say I rode a good 20 miles at least. (Probably a good thing to burn off all those calories from my ice cream habit.) Needless to say, the experience was awesome. There was so much to see, from the completely restored temples to awesome carvings to long undisturbed temples. Yet again, something so long looked forward to doesn't disappoint in the least. Yeehaw!

Tuesday December 5 2006

File under: travel, Cambodia

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on Tue 05th Dec, 2006 03:29 pm UTC Jule said: Angkor Will Save You Money! (anybody remember those old Oak Barn commercials?) ************************ on Tue 05th Dec, 2006 05:48 pm UTC Saxtor said: I'm sending my hello from Angkor Tes. Did you see any pink buffalo while there? ************************ on Wed 06th Dec, 2006 06:10 am UTC Mom said: Note to self: replace blown fuse on nerdometer. ************************ on Wed 06th Dec, 2006 01:54 pm UTC gretchen said: sure wish i had some old temples to go and see instead of finals to be taking. i've noticed that you've gotten quite tan. i've gotten negative tan since i've been our there. will you be home for christmas? ************************ on Mon 18th Dec, 2006 06:46 pm UTC amanda said: love the pic links! ************************

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Cirque du Khmer

Isn't it just like me to find the circus folk where ever I go? Well sure enough, in the biggest little city in Cambodia (Battambang), I've found one. The story behind this one goes like this (I think): A dude started a school dedicated to bringing more art to Cambodian life. It was funded by NGOs and the like. It took a hiatus during the whole civil war thing, but afterwards, it was back to action. Since then, it has grown to be almost financially independent with the proceeds of the various arts (painting, circus, music, etc.) partially going back to the students and their families in hope of convincing the families that school is worth sending your kids to. I arrived early to get a good seat and was immediately swarmed by children. In an attempt to entertain them until the show started, I busted out all my tricks (pulled my thumb off, made a flute from my hands, snapped in various ways, disappearing quarter, etc.). This just pulled in a larger crowd, and some of the kids didn't even want to give up my show when the real show started. Anyway, it was a great cultural experience. Who would have thought d-list magic tricks could forge such an international bond? Coming soon: The temples of Angkor. How excited am I? This excited.

Monday December 4 2006

File under: juggling, travel

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on Mon 04th Dec, 2006 08:32 pm UTC Jule said: Wow that is pretty excited! Or electrocuted... ************************ on Tue 05th Dec, 2006 02:17 am UTC Andrew said: yeah. i guess that is excited. sorta. ************************ on Tue 05th Dec, 2006 02:26 am UTC Buddo said: Comment from Ms. Buddo upon viewing just how exited one can be, " Golly, is that Andrew?" ************************ on Mon 18th Dec, 2006 06:44 pm UTC amanda said: Thank you so much for the postcard from Cambodia! Love it! Hope the show was good, even though you may have out-performed the performers! ************************

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Cheap(ish) flights to Europe

Each December, SAS Airlines offers special deals on flights to Europe. There are loads of restrictions, and the price seems to get worse and worse each year, but it still prolly the best deal around. Their schtick is everyday, the deal is on for only one city. If you miss your city of choice, you miss the deal. Basically, it is $199 each way from Seattle (or $175 from D.C., NYC, or Chicago) with some taxes tacked on. Generally, the restrictions are that you have to travel in the cold months (Jan - March, I think), and you can only stay 30 days or so. Jeff and Amanda used the deal to go to Madrid in 2002 and Lara and I mimicked their trip in 2003. Each year, it has been a fun diversion for me to check what city they are offering. I thought I might share. As compensation, if anyone takes the deal, I expect a postcard. So the link is: http://christmas.campaign.scandinavian.net/us/ (or click here for the non-flash site.) Oh, and thanks to Saxtor for doing the legwork on this one. Yet again he rises to the call of the Interchallenge.

Saturday December 2 2006

File under: travel, links

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on Sat 02nd Dec, 2006 09:24 am UTC Wren said: I just tried this and a flight from SEA -> Copenhagen came out to $472 with taxes, etc. Not bad at all (except that I am not looking to go to Copenhagen, esp. at this time of the year. As far as travel goes, I'm happy where I am.) ************************ on Sat 02nd Dec, 2006 08:28 pm UTC THe juice lady ( Auntie Rose) said: let me know how the trains move? or should I say what moves them, are they gas powered or coal or hand pumping them or what?It looks like a very efficient way to use the rails.:) ************************ on Sun 03rd Dec, 2006 10:45 am UTC bob said: if anyone gets to europe and wants to move around a bit, you can get ridiculously good deals on ryanair.com and easyjet.com. flights can be as low as 10 euros, everything included. ************************ on Sun 03rd Dec, 2006 10:00 pm UTC Buddo said: Uncle Wren, When are you coming home? I miss you. Uma and I made pfefferneuse today. I put red hots on in funny faces. I love you. I hope you come back soon. ************************ on Sun 03rd Dec, 2006 11:32 pm UTC Andrew said: pfft. there is no way Punksto wrote that. I smell a rat. ************************ on Mon 04th Dec, 2006 06:19 am UTC Ms Buddo said: Point of clarification: As transcribed to Ms. Buddo's personal secretary. So there, a'drew. cc: Ms. Buddo file ************************

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Bamboo Train

Battambang, Cambodia is the country's second largest city, I'm told. You wouldn't think it, though. The main streets in town are named No. 1, 2, and 3, and there is hardly a building over 3 stories. As far as "cities" go, I'll take it. The downside to a small, off-the-beaten path city is that diversions are few and far between. (I've been spending an inordinate amount of time in internet cafes here, both keeping cool, and filling up the time.) But one thing that is unique to this area is the bamboo trains. These are cobbled together bamboo platforms balanced atop train axels hooked up to an engine. They can be easily disassembled in the case of an oncoming real train or to pass each other en route. It is really a great use of the otherwise seldom used tracks. Having heard so much about these, I had to see them. I hired a moto driver from my hotel to take me. We meandered through villages and rice fields with him providing helpful tidbits along the way (Battambang rice is supposed to be the best in the country!). When we got to the "station", they built us a car, and me, my driver, and the taxi all loaded up. The ride took 20 minutes over some pretty rusticrailway lines. It was great. Halfway through the trip, we had to stop because there was another "train" on the tracks. It turns out, they were filming a movie. So I sat and ate some fresh coconut ice cream as they finished up their shot and carried their train from the tracks. It was really a great way to see something unique and to see the wonderful Cambodian countryside.

Friday December 1 2006

File under: travel, Cambodia

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on Sat 02nd Dec, 2006 05:00 am UTC Mom said: Are you driving? Is that the steering wheel? Is it powered by rice from the fields? So many questions... ************************ on Mon 04th Dec, 2006 06:58 pm UTC Christen said: How did this only elicit one comment? This is the coolest thing you've done so far! ************************

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