Motorbikes represent modern Vietnamese culture. They represent freedom; freedom to move about. They represent everything that is right, and everything that is wrong with this country in some weird way. Increasing wealth, family, pollution, chaos, and immense patience.
“There is a motorbike in my living room. Don’t worry, I put it there on purpose, I didn’t drive through a wall or anything. It’s just sitting there, paid for, looking at me as if it were a piece of furniture. It’s kind of like the baby that was raised by the pack of wild dogs and then starts taking on traits of the wild dogs. Maybe if I keep the motorbike sitting there long enough it will start to think it’s a coffee table or a couch. I have completed step one – I now have rented a motorbike.”
The Motorbike Diaries chronicle my epic journey to becoming a part of Vietnamese culture and driving among them….the locals that is.
Yes, you have all heard about the movie Motorcycle Diaries; Che Guevara and his epic motorcycle journey through South America. No, the title of this post wasn’t a typo. I’ve decided that since conquering my fear of driving in Ho Chi Minh City seems to be something I think about 24/7, I might as well […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 There is a motorbike in my living room. Don’t worry, I put it there on purpose, I didn’t drive through a wall or anything. It’s just sitting there, paid for, looking at me as if it were a piece of furniture. It’s kind of like the […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 Obstacles. Today was the day, the day I was supposed to take the motorbike out and practice. Yet from the moment I stepped outside today I had obstacles in my way. In my little alleyway that leads to my apartment were about 15 parked motorbikes. Somehow the […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 Sunday…today is the day it has to happen. No rain, no motorbikes in my way, just the hot sun beating down on the pavement and the open road beckoning me for adventure. Well, actually I’d like to believe that it was beckoning me…but it was hard to […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 The motorbike has been rather stationary lately. Very stationary. Okay – I haven’t moved it for 5 days. How did a whole week go by and I haven’t touched the bike? Fear, laziness, excuses, tired; all of the above. I’ve been focused on other becoming legal instead. […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 It’s the weekend and that means that it’s time to get on my motorbike again and join the sea of 2 wheels. I’d like to say that it was easier this time, but I don’t know that it was. It was a good practice session though and […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 I’m on the road and my motorbike is parked in my living room having a vacation! I thought I would put out this post though since it pertains to motorbikes and Vietnam. Stay tuned for more Motorbike Diaries and travel posts when I return from my trekking […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 If you want to know how to get your own Vietnam Motorbike License without bribing an official – check out Vietnam Motorbike License website! My motorbike license recently arrived proving that bribing officials here actually works. See, you learn something new every day in Vietnam. Of course […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 View photography of motorbikes in rainy season! Poncho Fashion Move over Project Runway, Vietnam has Project Poncho! Ok, I am joking, however it would be a great idea for a show here! There is one thing that I like about the rainy season , the ponchos. There […]
Start from the Beginning – Motorbike Diaries Vol. 1 Patience and the Law I drove over to my favorite cheap eats restaurant in the Backpacker Area in District 1, Lam Café on Bui Vien Street. When I say cheap eats…I mean it…I can get lemon grass beef with rice and a mango smoothie for $2 US. […]