Saturday, September 29, 2001
Early birthday wishes for Nam-Tan for tomorrow as I'll be in Hanoi on Monday through Thursday with Chuong.
Linh and I had a change of lunch plans this afternoon. She came over instead and brought over a noodle soup called “bun moc” which is specialty of the North. Then we went up to Di 10’s room so I could work on the computer while she read some Vietnamese poetry, and then we watched “The Thomas Crown Affair” which I happen to think is pretty good mind candy. After dinner, I decided I was too lazy (and still to congested) to go out to Trinh Cong Son’s concert, so I stayed home to compose this rather bland blog report.
I will, however, brighten it up a bit by telling you a story about my brother, Forrest Gump. Lobo is, in Uncle Mike’s words, “the luckiest son-of-a-bitch” you ever met. Somehow, things always fall into his lap. And the thing is, he is inexplicably affable and absolutely charming. He’s the nicest kid you ever met. He’s an avid sports fan and music lover. He gets free clothes, free shoes, free CDs and free movies. He alphabetizes his DVD collection and likes to show you his organized household cleansers when you visit his apartment. Basically, super cool.
To give you some background, Lobo works for Fred Durst, lead singer of Limp Bizkit, among other things. Bo is Fred’s right-hand man. This job fell into his lap which was prefaced by the internship at Interscope which is thanks to Uncle Mike, of course. So the first time Lobo ever goes abroad, he is granted with an all-expense paid first-class airfaire trip to London where he stayed in a five-star hotel while on tour with Limp Bizkit just this summer. That’s just the beginning.
Kiki and I were instant messaging last night on Yahoo and here is the story I got from her after we were talking about how we (my siblings and I) all treat famous people like janitors (with the same due respect). Here’s her story:
kiki_h98: Have you heard about Lobo and the Seahawks?
hanihong1973: no, what's with forrest gump?
kiki_h98: Oh MY GOD!
kiki_h98: You'll love this.
kiki_h98: Lobo got to be friends with some agent guy who manages some players, one of whom is a player for the Seattle Seahawks.
kiki_h98: That player wants to be a rap artist or something so he and Bo have chatted lightly a few times.
kiki_h98: Bo saw them play some pre-season games where the guy got hurt. He called his agent friend and said, "Hey tell him I'm really bummed he got hurt but I'm looking forward to seeing him in the playoffs cuz I know they'll make it."
kiki_h98: So the PLAYER calls Lobo back and says, "Hey man, thanks for calling, that was really nice of you. I wanna fly you and five of your friends to Seattle for any of our games with all access passes and you can watch from the sidelines."
kiki_h98: So Lobo's flying three friends from Arlington and is taking the nephew of the guy who owns Interscope and another Interscope executive to the game.
kiki_h98: Friends + networking.
kiki_h98: This is our brother.
It’s all really too funny. Typical Lobo. Forrest Gump.
So that’s really all I have to tell for today. I love my family. They rock. xxoo Hani
September 29, 2001
September 28, 2001
Sai Gon, September 28, 2001
Birthday wishes to Kim and Marc…
Everything here has been continuing as I like it. Last night I went to bed with a raging headache, a sore throat, and stuffy sinuses. I woke up to much the same, only several degrees worse. Anticipating taking next week off, I dragged myself out of bed and went to the office like the prudent worker ought to be. As it turns out, I improved over the day, although I opted out of two evening social invitations to come home and rest. I accepted two invitations for tomorrow, however, and will see how I’m feeling.
Tomorrow evening I am invited to go see Trinh Vinh Trinh sing at a Trinh Cong Son concert held nearby his “mo” (gravesite). TCS is the famous Vietnamese singer who passed away several months ago whose sister is married to my paternal grandmother’s cousin. Got it? So anyway, I am going to try to go if possible as it is somewhat far from the center of town and I’m without a car.
Everyday I pass by a fairly busy street market below the bridge near my house (not quite the same meaning as 59th Street’s Bridge Market), and the fruit stands have pricing signs such as 5000 dong/kg. The funny thing is, if you tell them, “make sure it’s a kilo” then they say, “well, that’ll be 6000 dong.” Sometimes there are signs even that will say “5000 dong/kg – 6000 dong/true kg”. Too funny.
Jeff made his final decision not to come to Vietnam this time. We’re going to wait and see how things turn out in this world. In the meantime, I am going to go ahead and go to Hanoi on Monday with Chuong, my cousin, who happens to already be going up there. I’ll stay till Thursday and then return to go to a wedding of a cousin once removed in Saigon that evening. She’s the granddaughter of dad’s oldest sister. So instead of parading around the country with Jeff, I’m just going to make a pit stop in Hanoi and get out of the office for a week. I’ll be back at work next Friday, October 5th. The cell phone can be used anywhere in the country so if you call, use that number.
Will possibly write more tomorrow or Sunday, but if not, then I will be in touch again next week. Ciao now.
Mille baci
Hani
Birthday wishes to Kim and Marc…
Everything here has been continuing as I like it. Last night I went to bed with a raging headache, a sore throat, and stuffy sinuses. I woke up to much the same, only several degrees worse. Anticipating taking next week off, I dragged myself out of bed and went to the office like the prudent worker ought to be. As it turns out, I improved over the day, although I opted out of two evening social invitations to come home and rest. I accepted two invitations for tomorrow, however, and will see how I’m feeling.
Tomorrow evening I am invited to go see Trinh Vinh Trinh sing at a Trinh Cong Son concert held nearby his “mo” (gravesite). TCS is the famous Vietnamese singer who passed away several months ago whose sister is married to my paternal grandmother’s cousin. Got it? So anyway, I am going to try to go if possible as it is somewhat far from the center of town and I’m without a car.
Everyday I pass by a fairly busy street market below the bridge near my house (not quite the same meaning as 59th Street’s Bridge Market), and the fruit stands have pricing signs such as 5000 dong/kg. The funny thing is, if you tell them, “make sure it’s a kilo” then they say, “well, that’ll be 6000 dong.” Sometimes there are signs even that will say “5000 dong/kg – 6000 dong/true kg”. Too funny.
Jeff made his final decision not to come to Vietnam this time. We’re going to wait and see how things turn out in this world. In the meantime, I am going to go ahead and go to Hanoi on Monday with Chuong, my cousin, who happens to already be going up there. I’ll stay till Thursday and then return to go to a wedding of a cousin once removed in Saigon that evening. She’s the granddaughter of dad’s oldest sister. So instead of parading around the country with Jeff, I’m just going to make a pit stop in Hanoi and get out of the office for a week. I’ll be back at work next Friday, October 5th. The cell phone can be used anywhere in the country so if you call, use that number.
Will possibly write more tomorrow or Sunday, but if not, then I will be in touch again next week. Ciao now.
Mille baci
Hani
September 27, 2001
So I got my macaroni and cheese today. Good homemade oven baked real cheese stuff, i.e., no powdered cheese (scary).
Jeff and I are still debating our trip. Today it looks like we won't be going. If that's so, I will decide another time what to do about traveling within the country.
Couple of nights ago, I went with my cousin Chinh (from San Francisco) and friends Daniel, Thierry, and Youri, to Tuan's birthday party at a nightclub called Hazard where we were met with Saigon's elite gay community, loud music, and dancing. It was an incredible lot of fun. The day after I went out with Linh, Chuong, and Chinh again and had dinner with some other relatives, then off to a small music club where they play live Peruvian music as well as some of Vietnam's typical repertoire of American oldies.
Have had a stomach ache most of today. Work is still super busy. Sent out another proposal today, designed a spread on Harley Davidson's new V-Rod for our auto magazine, and edited some of next month's new Guidebook.
This morning Souris called me from NY. That was fantastic. It's always good to hear from all of you at home. Suddenly I have a bit of a head cold. Gotta get some rest.
Ciao carissimi.
hani
Jeff and I are still debating our trip. Today it looks like we won't be going. If that's so, I will decide another time what to do about traveling within the country.
Couple of nights ago, I went with my cousin Chinh (from San Francisco) and friends Daniel, Thierry, and Youri, to Tuan's birthday party at a nightclub called Hazard where we were met with Saigon's elite gay community, loud music, and dancing. It was an incredible lot of fun. The day after I went out with Linh, Chuong, and Chinh again and had dinner with some other relatives, then off to a small music club where they play live Peruvian music as well as some of Vietnam's typical repertoire of American oldies.
Have had a stomach ache most of today. Work is still super busy. Sent out another proposal today, designed a spread on Harley Davidson's new V-Rod for our auto magazine, and edited some of next month's new Guidebook.
This morning Souris called me from NY. That was fantastic. It's always good to hear from all of you at home. Suddenly I have a bit of a head cold. Gotta get some rest.
Ciao carissimi.
hani
September 24, 2001
Sai Gon, September 24, 2001.
It's nighttime now, and I've just received several notes from Jeff. We are going to reschedule our trip for next week, and spend two weeks travelling along Vietnam’s Pacific Coast. Surely, our mood is a bit more anxious than before, and a bit more subdued, but we are glad to be moving forward with our adventure as we had planned since March. We are still taking time in our lives to discover a faraway land that is new to both of us (I have only seen about 5-10% of this country in the last eight months). I will take lots of pictures of these extraordinary places and send them to Souris to post on her soldier site and you can all finally have some new landscapes to view.
Today my 93 year old grandmother was supposed to make homemade macaroni and cheese (using the staff at home as her eyes & hands) but the head cook was out, and so I came home somewhat disappointed. You know that feeling you have, when you are really really craving something, and you are about to get it and then you suddenly discover that it’s not available? Utter disappointment. So I settled for some lo mein noodles with sauteed veggies & chicken.
I have just returned from a very relaxing weekend to Phan Thiet with Linh, my cousin Chuong, and his friend Oanh. It was good for me, as it always is, to go out to Phan Thiet. I spent time walking along the warm sandy beach with Linh at night, and in the afternoon, spent some time sleeping on the beach. In the mornings, I never wake up early enough to see the sun rise over the Pacific, and got quite a bit of rest instead. These last two trips out there, I’ve spent a lot of time idling aimlessly, and this weekend there was an unusual view of all the Mui Ne fishing boats close into the beach front.
Work in Saigon is normal. I am bored of it, and am being forced into added unpaid responsibilities that eat into my travel time. Unacceptable. I think people forget I am retired. I only work for fun.
Tomorrow I’m going to a birthday party for my new friend Tuan, whom I met through new friends, Daniel and Thierry, also from out in Phan Thiet. And speaking of birthdays, I am wishing a good one to Greg Smiley, albeit belated.
The Autumn Moon Celebration is the end of the week. Moon cakes are selling, well, like hot cakes, and are made with a variety of ingredients ranging from roasted duck to lotus seeds. They’re a bit too sweet for my taste, but they’re an important part of the festivities. The festival, called Tet Trung Thu (Lunar Autumn new year) lights up the night with colorful paper lanterns, family gatherings, dancing, and singing.
Reports on life in Vietnam will continue on Thursday.
Baci,
Hani
It's nighttime now, and I've just received several notes from Jeff. We are going to reschedule our trip for next week, and spend two weeks travelling along Vietnam’s Pacific Coast. Surely, our mood is a bit more anxious than before, and a bit more subdued, but we are glad to be moving forward with our adventure as we had planned since March. We are still taking time in our lives to discover a faraway land that is new to both of us (I have only seen about 5-10% of this country in the last eight months). I will take lots of pictures of these extraordinary places and send them to Souris to post on her soldier site and you can all finally have some new landscapes to view.
Today my 93 year old grandmother was supposed to make homemade macaroni and cheese (using the staff at home as her eyes & hands) but the head cook was out, and so I came home somewhat disappointed. You know that feeling you have, when you are really really craving something, and you are about to get it and then you suddenly discover that it’s not available? Utter disappointment. So I settled for some lo mein noodles with sauteed veggies & chicken.
I have just returned from a very relaxing weekend to Phan Thiet with Linh, my cousin Chuong, and his friend Oanh. It was good for me, as it always is, to go out to Phan Thiet. I spent time walking along the warm sandy beach with Linh at night, and in the afternoon, spent some time sleeping on the beach. In the mornings, I never wake up early enough to see the sun rise over the Pacific, and got quite a bit of rest instead. These last two trips out there, I’ve spent a lot of time idling aimlessly, and this weekend there was an unusual view of all the Mui Ne fishing boats close into the beach front.
Work in Saigon is normal. I am bored of it, and am being forced into added unpaid responsibilities that eat into my travel time. Unacceptable. I think people forget I am retired. I only work for fun.
Tomorrow I’m going to a birthday party for my new friend Tuan, whom I met through new friends, Daniel and Thierry, also from out in Phan Thiet. And speaking of birthdays, I am wishing a good one to Greg Smiley, albeit belated.
The Autumn Moon Celebration is the end of the week. Moon cakes are selling, well, like hot cakes, and are made with a variety of ingredients ranging from roasted duck to lotus seeds. They’re a bit too sweet for my taste, but they’re an important part of the festivities. The festival, called Tet Trung Thu (Lunar Autumn new year) lights up the night with colorful paper lanterns, family gatherings, dancing, and singing.
Reports on life in Vietnam will continue on Thursday.
Baci,
Hani
Sai Gon, September 24, 2001.
Below is a letter from my friend Lisa, who works for Robin Hood, an innovative, inspirational foundation (like you've never seen) whose objective is to end poverty in New York City - done in Robin Hood smart fashion and which means many pioneering programs. Their Board underwrites all administrative expenses so that every penny (100% of your contribution) Robin Hood receives goes to the organizations they support. I ask you for your capable support. So many of you have always been so generous to me in the past efforts I've encountered for the AIDS rides and friends of mine from the rides. Many of you who read my blogspot have never met me, and so I post this letter here, for those whose email addresses I do not have. Even if you can not donate at this time, I would emphasize again, that browsing their website is worth the visit. Thanks for reading.
Hi,
This is a letter from my dear friend Lisa in New York City. I am sending it
to you because you have shown me your kindness and generosity before, and if
you are able, I hope you would do the same now.
Robin Hood has many many programs that I find wholly worthwhile and
inspirational, and encourage you to browse their website. It is an
incredibly innovative program and the people behind it are absolutely
amazing, if I can generalize by what I know of Lisa Kirt.
Please email Lisa or call or contact the numbers below if you can help. Lisa
is at lkirt@yahoo.com
With much love and thanks,
Hani
----- Original Message -----
From: lisa kirt
To: Hani Hong
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 11:34 PM
Subject: Robin Hood Relief Fund
Dear Hani:
THANKS for spreading the word about the Robin Hood Relief Fund. In response
to the World Trade Center attack, Robin Hood is raising money to ensure that
those who are unprotected financially, socially, and emotionally receive
essential and effective support services in recovering from the disaster.
Since 1988, Robin Hood has built a donor base from the Wall Street community
which supports innovative and effective programs to fight poverty in New
York City. As you can imagine, our donor base is devastated by this event.
Donations can be made online, by mail, or by phone.
To donate online:
www.helping.org/donate/rhf_donate.adp
To donate by mail:
Robin Hood
attn: Lisa Kirt/Robin Hood Relief Fund
1211 Avenue of the Americas, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10036
please address checks to ROBIN HOOD RELIEF FUND
To donate by phone:
212-901-4325
To learn more about Robin Hood:
www.robinhood.org
If any of your folks donates online, I'd appreciate an email, so I can track
the Hani Hong progress for you! (I can't promise candy bars this time, but
I *will* make sure people get thanked profusely.)
Hani, many thanks & mucho amor. I am still suffering shock & stress -- but
working on this project makes me feel better.
love, Lisa
Below is a letter from my friend Lisa, who works for Robin Hood, an innovative, inspirational foundation (like you've never seen) whose objective is to end poverty in New York City - done in Robin Hood smart fashion and which means many pioneering programs. Their Board underwrites all administrative expenses so that every penny (100% of your contribution) Robin Hood receives goes to the organizations they support. I ask you for your capable support. So many of you have always been so generous to me in the past efforts I've encountered for the AIDS rides and friends of mine from the rides. Many of you who read my blogspot have never met me, and so I post this letter here, for those whose email addresses I do not have. Even if you can not donate at this time, I would emphasize again, that browsing their website is worth the visit. Thanks for reading.
Hi,
This is a letter from my dear friend Lisa in New York City. I am sending it
to you because you have shown me your kindness and generosity before, and if
you are able, I hope you would do the same now.
Robin Hood has many many programs that I find wholly worthwhile and
inspirational, and encourage you to browse their website. It is an
incredibly innovative program and the people behind it are absolutely
amazing, if I can generalize by what I know of Lisa Kirt.
Please email Lisa or call or contact the numbers below if you can help. Lisa
is at lkirt@yahoo.com
With much love and thanks,
Hani
----- Original Message -----
From: lisa kirt
To: Hani Hong
Sent: Friday, September 21, 2001 11:34 PM
Subject: Robin Hood Relief Fund
Dear Hani:
THANKS for spreading the word about the Robin Hood Relief Fund. In response
to the World Trade Center attack, Robin Hood is raising money to ensure that
those who are unprotected financially, socially, and emotionally receive
essential and effective support services in recovering from the disaster.
Since 1988, Robin Hood has built a donor base from the Wall Street community
which supports innovative and effective programs to fight poverty in New
York City. As you can imagine, our donor base is devastated by this event.
Donations can be made online, by mail, or by phone.
To donate online:
www.helping.org/donate/rhf_donate.adp
To donate by mail:
Robin Hood
attn: Lisa Kirt/Robin Hood Relief Fund
1211 Avenue of the Americas, 18th Floor
New York, NY 10036
please address checks to ROBIN HOOD RELIEF FUND
To donate by phone:
212-901-4325
To learn more about Robin Hood:
www.robinhood.org
If any of your folks donates online, I'd appreciate an email, so I can track
the Hani Hong progress for you! (I can't promise candy bars this time, but
I *will* make sure people get thanked profusely.)
Hani, many thanks & mucho amor. I am still suffering shock & stress -- but
working on this project makes me feel better.
love, Lisa
September 20, 2001
Saigon. September 20, 2001
I'm going back out to Phan Thiet tomorrow with some friends and family. Will be at the beach through Sunday.
Will blog again when I get back.
Have heard much from those of you back home and am grateful for it. Keep your letters coming.
I plan on remaining in Vietnam through February, to celebrate Tet with the locals before I return to the States.
Am relatively well. I've been spending a lot of time out lately and it has peaceful.
Much love to everyone.
un bacione,
hani
I'm going back out to Phan Thiet tomorrow with some friends and family. Will be at the beach through Sunday.
Will blog again when I get back.
Have heard much from those of you back home and am grateful for it. Keep your letters coming.
I plan on remaining in Vietnam through February, to celebrate Tet with the locals before I return to the States.
Am relatively well. I've been spending a lot of time out lately and it has peaceful.
Much love to everyone.
un bacione,
hani
September 19, 2001. Sai Gon.
I am registered at the US Consulate here in HCMC under my legal name, Lan Dung Thi Hong. My home address is
1B Cu Xa Ngan Hang
Tran Xuan Soan, District 7, HCMC
Tel: 84-8 872-4539
DongDuCafe: 84-8 823 2414
Work is Minh Nhat Company (ask for Hani)
51-53 Vo Van Tan, District 3, HCMC
Tel: 84-8 930-5812 / 930-1388
My cell phone is 84 091 343 8920
My permanent home address in Arlington is
5508 N. Carlin Springs Road
Arlington, VA 22203-1202
Tel: 703-525-2784
Emergency Contacts:
Chuong Giu Hong / Bach Tuyet Hong – dad & mom, Arlington, 703-525-2784
Kiki/Cathy Hong – sister, Atlanta, work 678-336-2000, chong@atv.com
Kelly Hong – sister, New York work @ BMG, 212-930-6727, Kelly.hong@bmgdirect.com
Souris Hong – sister, New York cell - 917-687-2332, souris@fakefunk.com
All friends and family have access to my whereabouts through the Vietnamese US Consulate & Embassy offices. I have signed a waiver for such information to be distributed to any of you in case you inquire.
Over the past week, I have had a thousand thoughts, and have communicated often with all of you back home. Instead of writing a compendious blog about what I thought and felt, below is a conglomeration of messages sent to different friends and family that describe what I’ve been going through.
---------------
My family is safe. I was out on Tuesday, and arrived home at 10 p.m. Saigon time. The phone rang – it was mom. She called to tell me that she and dad and Kiki were all okay in Arlington and that Kaly and Souris were both in contact from New York. I asked her what happened so she put Kiki on to tell me. I didn't really believe it, and my reaction was almost comical "I miss everything!" I said to Ki. But there was nothing funny about this. I immediately bolted upstairs and turned CNBC on and the internet and got online with Souris and other friends in NY. I watched and I wrote and I cried and I cried. My sisters are both safe. Souris watched the explosion of the second building upon impact, and the crumbling of the towers from outside of her home in Soho – she’s at Sullivan & Broome where it meets 6th Avenue – in direct view of the Towers. A man next to her fainted. Everyone stood on the street and cried.
I watched live CNBC coverage till 5 a.m., and managed to contact many close friends immediately. Both New York and Arlington are my homes; the two places I feel closest to, and I didn’t think anyone in Vietnam would understand the proximity of the tragedy for me. Our skyline is forever changed - it is really difficult to grasp, until I go to New York again and see for myself that our towers are gone. It is also difficult to see the footage, and think - "I KNOW that corner. I've BEEN there. That's my HOME." It's very frustrating to be far away. In many ways, I wish I was in NY to be with those I love who consider NY their home as well. It is as shocking to anyone around the world as it is to anyone in America, but to New Yorkers, the Towers were a part of our everyday visual landscape.
I had a message from Jeff. As you know, he was to come visit and he was scheduled to be on a flight from JFK to SFO on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30. He was to go on from California to Singapore to Vietnam. We are grateful that he was not on a cross country plane at the time. We have cancelled everything we had planned for our two week holiday, and here I am at work instead. Jeff and I were both supremely disappointed about our trip.
I cancelled our plans to Hanoi, postponed my ticket, and made measures to change our two week plans. I wrote to Handspan, a tour agency that Jeff and I were planning on using, to tell them we will not be coming. They replied with this:
Dear Hani Hong,
We are very sorry about terrorist happened in NewYork and Washington.
It is horrible that I can not imagine. Everybody was shocked in Vietnam. We welcome you to Handspan at any time if you would like to come to Hanoi another time.
See ya another time.
With best regards
Linh Chi
I have been getting live CNBC and CNN feed here, and am getting thorough coverage. I was surprised that the Vietnamese community is totally aware. I received many calls from friends here who know that I call NY home, and who were concerned for my friends and family. I am so deeply deeply saddened by this. I never watch TV here, but of course, have been watching news since Tuesday. There is no normal programming here, as we only get cable, and only about 5 channels of which CNBC is one so there is constant coverage. I only watch every other day or so now. They repeat everything anyway.
I have to say that watching the news, and the way people are treating the rescue workers in NY, I think OFTEN of the AIDS Rides, and the way the crew treated us. It is the same sort of outpouring of appreciation for "heroes" and the sort of situation where total strangers bring out their best sides to help everyone. Again, it is because the entire nation, like AIDS riders on a smaller scale, are facing a common adversity and this is what human beings do when faced with such. And so, it seems that the only thing that will bring the world together is a newer more powerful enemy from a galaxy far far away.
It did not even occur to me to return home soon. I did, however, call the US consulate office here in HCMC and registered my name and my presence in the country. Security – expectedly – was tight. They even checked inside my cup of coffee. I should have done it when I first arrived but recent events made it even more pressing that I did so.
I do, however, feel safe here, and I am sure that I will be protected by my family should I become stranded (I will still have a job and be able to do many other things, though may perhaps postpone a trip to Angkor Wat for another time). Life very much goes on here, although my friends comment about how very sad I am and wish that they could help me in some other way. I think being home and holding friends and family and seeing them with my own eyes and seeing my New York skyline are what I need to continue to heal.
I saw a photo on the Washington Post web site last night that made me reel with pain. It was of a little seven-year-old black boy dressed in a yellow rain coat who grievously had his head in his arms, leaning against his mother's white casket, with his grandmother behind him, and there was such pain in that image. His mother was one of the rescue workers who came to the WTC to help those in need. I must stop looking at those kinds of pictures. I look at Souris' pictures of all the rescue workers, police department, and fire department in NY. It's really wonderful. NYC is truly a great city. I can't wait to return.
I am registered at the US Consulate here in HCMC under my legal name, Lan Dung Thi Hong. My home address is
1B Cu Xa Ngan Hang
Tran Xuan Soan, District 7, HCMC
Tel: 84-8 872-4539
DongDuCafe: 84-8 823 2414
Work is Minh Nhat Company (ask for Hani)
51-53 Vo Van Tan, District 3, HCMC
Tel: 84-8 930-5812 / 930-1388
My cell phone is 84 091 343 8920
My permanent home address in Arlington is
5508 N. Carlin Springs Road
Arlington, VA 22203-1202
Tel: 703-525-2784
Emergency Contacts:
Chuong Giu Hong / Bach Tuyet Hong – dad & mom, Arlington, 703-525-2784
Kiki/Cathy Hong – sister, Atlanta, work 678-336-2000, chong@atv.com
Kelly Hong – sister, New York work @ BMG, 212-930-6727, Kelly.hong@bmgdirect.com
Souris Hong – sister, New York cell - 917-687-2332, souris@fakefunk.com
All friends and family have access to my whereabouts through the Vietnamese US Consulate & Embassy offices. I have signed a waiver for such information to be distributed to any of you in case you inquire.
Over the past week, I have had a thousand thoughts, and have communicated often with all of you back home. Instead of writing a compendious blog about what I thought and felt, below is a conglomeration of messages sent to different friends and family that describe what I’ve been going through.
---------------
My family is safe. I was out on Tuesday, and arrived home at 10 p.m. Saigon time. The phone rang – it was mom. She called to tell me that she and dad and Kiki were all okay in Arlington and that Kaly and Souris were both in contact from New York. I asked her what happened so she put Kiki on to tell me. I didn't really believe it, and my reaction was almost comical "I miss everything!" I said to Ki. But there was nothing funny about this. I immediately bolted upstairs and turned CNBC on and the internet and got online with Souris and other friends in NY. I watched and I wrote and I cried and I cried. My sisters are both safe. Souris watched the explosion of the second building upon impact, and the crumbling of the towers from outside of her home in Soho – she’s at Sullivan & Broome where it meets 6th Avenue – in direct view of the Towers. A man next to her fainted. Everyone stood on the street and cried.
I watched live CNBC coverage till 5 a.m., and managed to contact many close friends immediately. Both New York and Arlington are my homes; the two places I feel closest to, and I didn’t think anyone in Vietnam would understand the proximity of the tragedy for me. Our skyline is forever changed - it is really difficult to grasp, until I go to New York again and see for myself that our towers are gone. It is also difficult to see the footage, and think - "I KNOW that corner. I've BEEN there. That's my HOME." It's very frustrating to be far away. In many ways, I wish I was in NY to be with those I love who consider NY their home as well. It is as shocking to anyone around the world as it is to anyone in America, but to New Yorkers, the Towers were a part of our everyday visual landscape.
I had a message from Jeff. As you know, he was to come visit and he was scheduled to be on a flight from JFK to SFO on Tuesday afternoon at 4:30. He was to go on from California to Singapore to Vietnam. We are grateful that he was not on a cross country plane at the time. We have cancelled everything we had planned for our two week holiday, and here I am at work instead. Jeff and I were both supremely disappointed about our trip.
I cancelled our plans to Hanoi, postponed my ticket, and made measures to change our two week plans. I wrote to Handspan, a tour agency that Jeff and I were planning on using, to tell them we will not be coming. They replied with this:
Dear Hani Hong,
We are very sorry about terrorist happened in NewYork and Washington.
It is horrible that I can not imagine. Everybody was shocked in Vietnam. We welcome you to Handspan at any time if you would like to come to Hanoi another time.
See ya another time.
With best regards
Linh Chi
I have been getting live CNBC and CNN feed here, and am getting thorough coverage. I was surprised that the Vietnamese community is totally aware. I received many calls from friends here who know that I call NY home, and who were concerned for my friends and family. I am so deeply deeply saddened by this. I never watch TV here, but of course, have been watching news since Tuesday. There is no normal programming here, as we only get cable, and only about 5 channels of which CNBC is one so there is constant coverage. I only watch every other day or so now. They repeat everything anyway.
I have to say that watching the news, and the way people are treating the rescue workers in NY, I think OFTEN of the AIDS Rides, and the way the crew treated us. It is the same sort of outpouring of appreciation for "heroes" and the sort of situation where total strangers bring out their best sides to help everyone. Again, it is because the entire nation, like AIDS riders on a smaller scale, are facing a common adversity and this is what human beings do when faced with such. And so, it seems that the only thing that will bring the world together is a newer more powerful enemy from a galaxy far far away.
It did not even occur to me to return home soon. I did, however, call the US consulate office here in HCMC and registered my name and my presence in the country. Security – expectedly – was tight. They even checked inside my cup of coffee. I should have done it when I first arrived but recent events made it even more pressing that I did so.
I do, however, feel safe here, and I am sure that I will be protected by my family should I become stranded (I will still have a job and be able to do many other things, though may perhaps postpone a trip to Angkor Wat for another time). Life very much goes on here, although my friends comment about how very sad I am and wish that they could help me in some other way. I think being home and holding friends and family and seeing them with my own eyes and seeing my New York skyline are what I need to continue to heal.
I saw a photo on the Washington Post web site last night that made me reel with pain. It was of a little seven-year-old black boy dressed in a yellow rain coat who grievously had his head in his arms, leaning against his mother's white casket, with his grandmother behind him, and there was such pain in that image. His mother was one of the rescue workers who came to the WTC to help those in need. I must stop looking at those kinds of pictures. I look at Souris' pictures of all the rescue workers, police department, and fire department in NY. It's really wonderful. NYC is truly a great city. I can't wait to return.
September 08, 2001
All my Blogs:
Life Is Grand, for my Annual New Year's letters (only 1999 and 2000 so far, but since I plan on living till I'm a hundred, you can be sure to see a few more in the future)
Home Sweet Home (doublehappiness.blogspot.com) for just a few logs I wrote in the States during my brief six week visit home this summer.
It's a Small World, my small world experiences (themayor.blogspot.com)
AIDS Rides, my AIDS Rides newsletters - from Philly DC to Alaska, the fundraising letters and the experience letters (moralcourage.blogspot.com).
Life Is Grand, for my Annual New Year's letters (only 1999 and 2000 so far, but since I plan on living till I'm a hundred, you can be sure to see a few more in the future)
Home Sweet Home (doublehappiness.blogspot.com) for just a few logs I wrote in the States during my brief six week visit home this summer.
It's a Small World, my small world experiences (themayor.blogspot.com)
AIDS Rides, my AIDS Rides newsletters - from Philly DC to Alaska, the fundraising letters and the experience letters (moralcourage.blogspot.com).
Saigon.
The other day, while I was out, there was a little girl, about six, carrying a sleeping newborn around, and a plastic jug, begging for money. It is an incredibly pathetic sight, and worse, when I was told that many people often bear children to send them begging (children bring home more money than their working fathers). Even more heinous, people rent their babies out to beggars!!! And when children don't bring enough money home (or if they don't sell enough lottery tickets while their parents gamble with friends throughout the day), they come home to a beating. So what do you do? Well, feel a lot of pain inside, and then help out the churches and such shelters where you know your charitable donations will go to food and shelter rather than tobacco and alcohol. Oi. It's really disgusting the way it is here. I have trouble forgetting such vivid images.
The other day, while I was out, there was a little girl, about six, carrying a sleeping newborn around, and a plastic jug, begging for money. It is an incredibly pathetic sight, and worse, when I was told that many people often bear children to send them begging (children bring home more money than their working fathers). Even more heinous, people rent their babies out to beggars!!! And when children don't bring enough money home (or if they don't sell enough lottery tickets while their parents gamble with friends throughout the day), they come home to a beating. So what do you do? Well, feel a lot of pain inside, and then help out the churches and such shelters where you know your charitable donations will go to food and shelter rather than tobacco and alcohol. Oi. It's really disgusting the way it is here. I have trouble forgetting such vivid images.
Last night I went with Lan for a long (by Vietnamese standards) walk in town after work. First we headed to the Diamond Plaza department store which is a lot like Hecht Co. We then walked over by Di 10's cafe and went to a place called "Godfather Ice Cream" where we sat on the sidewalk, teeming with locals, and enjoyed some coconut ice cream in a coconut, topped off with lychees and what I am sure is cool whip. It was nice for me to do that - to get out and WALK and to break the routine of going to work, meeting up with the aunts, and going home. I wonder how it was that I would on occasion walk home from work in Soho across the Brooklyn Bridge to Carroll Gardens... about an 8K walk and very pleasant, after work. The best part was hanging out on the bridge and watching the sunset behind Lady Liberty, but timing it so that I'd hit home before dark. Just a few kms now is a lot more than I'm used to. I've gotta get back to New York and let my legs move move move. No biking, no walking, and I can't seem to convince any cyclo drivers to loan me their pedicabs for a day.
A week away and Jeff will be in Hanoi, as will I, and we will enjoy the splendors of Ha Long Bay (rent Indochine with Catherine Deneuve), Sapa Valley, and central Vietnam, and then head out to the beach of Mui Ne (Cape Ne) in Phan Thiet. We will try to scan & send photos, but most likely you'll have to wait till I get back on the 26th to do so. The blog won't be updated during that time (14th - 26th), but do check back afterwards.
I am still busy with work because of the two week vacation I will be taking (this is untimely of course, as I've just returned from a six week vacation). October and November to be sure will be jam packed, but after Christmas, I plan to be totally free of work, and will concentrate only on traveling and spending all of my hard earned cash. Not much left for New York, but if you've got job ideas (or if you know a publisher who wants a story about rediscovery and roots) then let me know, so I can continue with my retirement. I'm quite liking it.
A week away and Jeff will be in Hanoi, as will I, and we will enjoy the splendors of Ha Long Bay (rent Indochine with Catherine Deneuve), Sapa Valley, and central Vietnam, and then head out to the beach of Mui Ne (Cape Ne) in Phan Thiet. We will try to scan & send photos, but most likely you'll have to wait till I get back on the 26th to do so. The blog won't be updated during that time (14th - 26th), but do check back afterwards.
I am still busy with work because of the two week vacation I will be taking (this is untimely of course, as I've just returned from a six week vacation). October and November to be sure will be jam packed, but after Christmas, I plan to be totally free of work, and will concentrate only on traveling and spending all of my hard earned cash. Not much left for New York, but if you've got job ideas (or if you know a publisher who wants a story about rediscovery and roots) then let me know, so I can continue with my retirement. I'm quite liking it.
September 06, 2001
Sai Gon, September 6, 2001
Printers are behind again... A full day lost today because there was NO ELECTRICITY in their district. Looks like my book will be delayed a day or so. I went to the printer's yesterday, and they wanted me to return to press in the evening. I told them I wasn't coming. They said, "you can't?" and I said, "no, I don't WANT to." It was pouring out and I spent my Saturday there, and was not planning on spending this evening, yesterday evening, or tomorrow evening there either.
Speaking of pouring. The rain came suddenly and it came in torrents. It seems that most homes in Vietnam are sheltered with corrugated metal sheets and so the decibel level rises with the clanging of the rain drops. And the upper levels of corrugated metal create a sort of waterfall to the ones below, each with their distinct clamor in which thin lines of water flow between the corrugation to the ground. Children find the heavy falls and shower beneath the cold rain. Others squirm together beneath a single poncho, trying to stay dry in vain, and everyone else moves about by bike or motorbike drenched in the six inches of water that have accumulated on the roads within a matter of minutes, all the while trying to avoid the backsplash from vehicles and buses.
This is life here for the locals, and they all say... "There are only two seasons in Vietnam - Rainy Season and Sunny Season." And they're right.
Printers are behind again... A full day lost today because there was NO ELECTRICITY in their district. Looks like my book will be delayed a day or so. I went to the printer's yesterday, and they wanted me to return to press in the evening. I told them I wasn't coming. They said, "you can't?" and I said, "no, I don't WANT to." It was pouring out and I spent my Saturday there, and was not planning on spending this evening, yesterday evening, or tomorrow evening there either.
Speaking of pouring. The rain came suddenly and it came in torrents. It seems that most homes in Vietnam are sheltered with corrugated metal sheets and so the decibel level rises with the clanging of the rain drops. And the upper levels of corrugated metal create a sort of waterfall to the ones below, each with their distinct clamor in which thin lines of water flow between the corrugation to the ground. Children find the heavy falls and shower beneath the cold rain. Others squirm together beneath a single poncho, trying to stay dry in vain, and everyone else moves about by bike or motorbike drenched in the six inches of water that have accumulated on the roads within a matter of minutes, all the while trying to avoid the backsplash from vehicles and buses.
This is life here for the locals, and they all say... "There are only two seasons in Vietnam - Rainy Season and Sunny Season." And they're right.
September 02, 2001
Sai Gon. September 3, 2001
Happy birthday Eva and Les!
Today is Vietnam’s Independence day, and much like the U.S., we have the day off from work and the country’s flag flies over every home. Unlike the U.S. however, hanging the flag over your home and business is mandated by law. Such is communist life.
I’ve got the day off from work (which makes up for my long day at the printer’s on Saturday), and will go over to Linh’s today for banh khot, which is a specialty of Vung Tau (a nearby peninsula). Di 9 and 10 have gone to France, Amsterdam, Belgium, and Italy for a month, and Thanh the driver has gone to his home for a week. I feel FREE.
Only two weeks till Jeff arrives, and I will be in good old American company.
Off for lunch now.
Hani
Happy birthday Eva and Les!
Today is Vietnam’s Independence day, and much like the U.S., we have the day off from work and the country’s flag flies over every home. Unlike the U.S. however, hanging the flag over your home and business is mandated by law. Such is communist life.
I’ve got the day off from work (which makes up for my long day at the printer’s on Saturday), and will go over to Linh’s today for banh khot, which is a specialty of Vung Tau (a nearby peninsula). Di 9 and 10 have gone to France, Amsterdam, Belgium, and Italy for a month, and Thanh the driver has gone to his home for a week. I feel FREE.
Only two weeks till Jeff arrives, and I will be in good old American company.
Off for lunch now.
Hani
Sai Gon, September 2, 2001.
Two nights ago, Kiki called me to tell me that my beloved Grampa (Arthur Grey) Bone passed away in the morning EST. Though I did not get a chance to say goodbye to him, I was lucky enough to spend time with him when I was in Atlanta for several months last winter. I will undoubtedly always think of Grampa when I see a Waffle House, or when I'm having bacon, eggs, and grits for breakfast! I'm grateful to have heard from Ki in person, and not via mail, and though I have no one to share in with my sadness in Vietnam, I am happy to hear from those of you at home who knew A.G.
Our lives with Grampa and his family really go full circle with my nuclear family. Dad met A.G. and Edna (gramma) in 1957 while at Fort Bening and none of us would have ever guessed the impact our two families would have upon each other. Perhaps Souris would not have met Silvio during her stay with Mike & Lori in Santa Monica. Lobo would not work for Fred Durst and Kaly might not be in New York. I would not have had the joy of working with and loving Mica, which has since led me to my “retirement” (as I like to call my current living situation).
So, I have come to some deep thoughts about the impact people have on my life. And the point is, if you are reading this, know that you have impacted my life and that I know that you have contributed to it in a way that has made me as happy as I am right now.
Since my return to Vietnam, I have had extreme emotional reactions to nearly everything. I have a brand new attitude at work (which is to not work as much as I previously had) because my reason for being here is not to work, but to travel. And I spent most of the last six months working. I shall now spend most of the next few months traveling. I have a new attitude at home (which is to go in and out as I please, whether I’ve got the driver or not) because I cannot stand the lack of privacy or restrictions on my freedom while living with a relative.
I am searching, searching, searching, for what is new here. For the things that made me happy on my first trip here. The new discoveries about the old life. I need to explore and to venture into new territory. So, I am. I am going to go to lots of places, I am going to spend lots of time in the mountains, at the beach, in the forest, and among the Vietnamese.
I am fighting my desire to be back in New York City, which can be difficult, until I remember that I’m living the good life here. I haven’t washed a dish since I’ve been here, my laundry is laundered and pressed for me, my room is cleaned, my food is cooked, I have a chauffeur, I have unlimited access to ice cream, and I have more trips planned to more countries than I ever did when I lived in the City. No matter where I place myself, the grass is always greener where I stand.
Two nights ago, Kiki called me to tell me that my beloved Grampa (Arthur Grey) Bone passed away in the morning EST. Though I did not get a chance to say goodbye to him, I was lucky enough to spend time with him when I was in Atlanta for several months last winter. I will undoubtedly always think of Grampa when I see a Waffle House, or when I'm having bacon, eggs, and grits for breakfast! I'm grateful to have heard from Ki in person, and not via mail, and though I have no one to share in with my sadness in Vietnam, I am happy to hear from those of you at home who knew A.G.
Our lives with Grampa and his family really go full circle with my nuclear family. Dad met A.G. and Edna (gramma) in 1957 while at Fort Bening and none of us would have ever guessed the impact our two families would have upon each other. Perhaps Souris would not have met Silvio during her stay with Mike & Lori in Santa Monica. Lobo would not work for Fred Durst and Kaly might not be in New York. I would not have had the joy of working with and loving Mica, which has since led me to my “retirement” (as I like to call my current living situation).
So, I have come to some deep thoughts about the impact people have on my life. And the point is, if you are reading this, know that you have impacted my life and that I know that you have contributed to it in a way that has made me as happy as I am right now.
Since my return to Vietnam, I have had extreme emotional reactions to nearly everything. I have a brand new attitude at work (which is to not work as much as I previously had) because my reason for being here is not to work, but to travel. And I spent most of the last six months working. I shall now spend most of the next few months traveling. I have a new attitude at home (which is to go in and out as I please, whether I’ve got the driver or not) because I cannot stand the lack of privacy or restrictions on my freedom while living with a relative.
I am searching, searching, searching, for what is new here. For the things that made me happy on my first trip here. The new discoveries about the old life. I need to explore and to venture into new territory. So, I am. I am going to go to lots of places, I am going to spend lots of time in the mountains, at the beach, in the forest, and among the Vietnamese.
I am fighting my desire to be back in New York City, which can be difficult, until I remember that I’m living the good life here. I haven’t washed a dish since I’ve been here, my laundry is laundered and pressed for me, my room is cleaned, my food is cooked, I have a chauffeur, I have unlimited access to ice cream, and I have more trips planned to more countries than I ever did when I lived in the City. No matter where I place myself, the grass is always greener where I stand.
