They came back in stock last week after having sold out in less than six hours after being released last December. When I learned that my sister would be coming to London on a business trip, I immediately ordered one for her to bring for me. Woohoo!!

I will be missing out on the wireless connectivity that’s available only in the U.S. but it’s much more important to me that I have access to books in a timely fashion. When we started our expat life in 1998, books in English weren’t always easy to find.

• In Taiwan, there was a decent selection at Eslite even though I was at the mercy of whatever was on the shelf.
• In Japan, Maruzen was ok but it was very expensive. A couple of years after we’d moved there, Amazon.co.jp launched and it was wonderful!!! (Yes, that deserved three exclamation points.)
• In Vietnam, very few English books could be found in the shops except for classics. Relatively new releases with Vietnam as the main subject were available but only as pirated versions on the street corner. Otherwise, the International Ladies in Vietnam library was actually pretty well stocked but in disarray. So once again at the mercy of whatever was on the shelf.

  I’m not trying to make it sound like I was very deprived, though. We made frequent trips to Singapore where the selection of English books between Borders and Kinokuniya is quite good. My personal stash of not-yet-read books is also consistently worth several months if not a year of reading.

• Right now, we’re in London, UK which is, of course, fabulous for books but can still be quite pricey esp. compared to the U.S.

In contrast, Amazon Kindle books are $9.99 or less and available immediately for download.

Whether you prefer biographies, classics, investment guides, thrillers, or sci-fi, thousands of your favorite books are available. The Kindle Store offers more than 100 of 112 books currently found on the New York Times® Best Seller list and we’re adding more all the time. New York Times Best Sellers are $9.99, and you’ll find many books for less.

You spoiled lot in the U.S. will get to download sample chapters as well not to mention doing it all wirelessly (assuming you’re in the wireless coverage area). I, on the other hand, will be very satisfied with downloading my content via USB. Three features I’m really looking forward to are the built-in dictionary, search of all materials downloaded onto your Kindle, and clippings and notes which can be uploaded to the computer for other uses.

The first set of books I intend to download includes:

• Escape by Carolyn Jessop
• The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch
• The Fortune Cookie Chronicles by Jennifer 8. Lee (If you’re wondering why she has a number for her middle name, she added it herself when she was a teenager because “Jennifer” is too common.)
• Bringing Home the Birkin by Michael Tonello
• Pretty is What Changes by Jessica Queller

My books wishlist (started using delishlist in March) is, of course, much longer than this. Unfortunately, not all books are available for the Kindle. So while you may still find me at home with traditional paper books in hand, when out and about, I’ll most likely bring my Kindle.

What do you think of the Kindle and of eReaders in general? If you already have a Kindle, what books have you downloaded?

*Although hopefully not in the way of what’s been assumed about pregnant and post-partum women and their reading habits.

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Join The Sunday Salon of readers!

One of our favorites is a Muslim restaurant, where we get dinner for two for $2 or $3, including a chicken kabob, curried eggplant, rice, and beer. The food is quite tasty, though perhaps not as hygienic as at home — I really liked the barbequed chicken or lamb on a bamboo skewer until Wendy observed that they probably reuse the skewers.

When I read this, I guffawed because it reminded me of the sidewalk barbecues in Vietnam. Marv and I are big fans of the ol’ BBQ and I occasionally asked our helper to buy us a sampling to eat at home with rice vermicelli salad. We often saw that the vendors laid their grills directly on the sidewalks along busy streets but the grilled meat was so delicious that we tried not to see if you know what I mean.

Here’s a photo I’ve nicked from Noodlepie where Graham goes into great detail describing “barbecue boulevard.”

Direct proof that barbecue causes cancer.

Click for larger image.

Summer in London is far different than the gritty grime of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Where we are west of the city, there are trees and flowers and the River Thames flowing by.

Despite the hayfever, I still feel healthier than I ever did in the almost two year we spent in Vietnam. No longer cooped up all day in an air conditioned box, we take daily walks to and from school.

In the morning, the air is fresh especially after a morning rain shower. In the mid-day, it grows warmer but the breeze continues to stir things up (including the pollen). Temps of 30 degrees Celsius and above (86 degrees F) in London feel nothing like the way it would in humid Singapore or even the dry brown hills of Northern California.

Summer in London is a unique experience. Maybe life here isn’t so bad after all.

NB: Their site is undergoing a revamp so it’s not as pretty as it should be.

Ten Fun Places for Kids in Saigon

What a happy way to start off a day of rain and sleet.

PS Your comments always cheer me up too but I haven’t got enough time to answer them all right now. I get 30 minute sessions on the computer here at the library. Boo hoo hoo.

On the surface, Saigon might seem like just another city in a developing country with its bustling streets, hole-in-the wall restaurants/cafes, crowded markets, and staid department stores. If you?re with small children, it takes some ingenuity to come up with activities that make everyone happy.

The best places for kids have something new and different to see and explore, wide open spaces to run around and let off steam, toys and knick knacks to buy, and kid-friendly places to eat. Saigon has all of these but you need to know where to look.

1. Zoo and Botanical Gardens (2 Nguyen Binh Khiem Street, District 1)

Just down the street from the Sofitel Plaza Saigon Hotel (where chocolate lollipops in the shape of teddy bears, rabbits, and hearts are nice treats for a zoo outing), the historical zoo and botanical gardens were built over 100 years ago. Amidst the mossy smelling air, you?ll find endangered animals native to Vietnam along with other zoo favorites, such as the crested argus pheasant, elephants, Malayan sun bears, and Asiatic black bears. Kids can pretend to be monkeys themselves while dangling at the playground.

To be honest, I wouldn’t step foot in the zoo with bird flu in the air. I felt I had to include it for people who don’t think such precautions are necessary.

2. Reunification Palace (106 Nguyen Du, District 1)

Standing in front of the tall gates of Reunification Palace, the wide white fa?ade and flying flags may seem intimidating. But with lots of open space and no cars allowed inside, Reunification Palace is one of the safest places to let kids run free. There are also tanks and fighter jets to gawk at and two brown cows that roam the grounds acting as animal lawn mowers. Mooooo.

3. Ho Chi Minh City Museum (65 Ly Tu Trong St, District 1)

If your kids hyperventilate excitedly over vehicles, the Ho Chi Minh City Museum has both air and land ones for them explore. Displayed on the grounds are antique cars, a tank, two different fighter jets, and a helicopter. The kids can even touch and take a good look inside the cockpit.

4. Le Van Tam Park (Hai Ba Trung Street, District 1)

Lovers crowd the benches at Le Van Tam Park but in the evenings, children are the ones who crowd the small carnival there. Attractions include a ball pit, miniature car course, and ferris wheel. One of the few city parks with playground equipment, kids will go wild at the jungle gyms, monkey bars, slides, and swings. And across the street, toy stores stuffed full of the latest plastic goodies will tempt your little ones. Don?t worry, prices are affordable and a little bargaining will save you a buck too. Kinh Do Bakery is also a hop away so you can get some snacks to replenish the kids? depleted energy (or maybe fill up their tummies before a nice long nap).

5. Song Be Golf Resort (Lai Thieu Townlet, Thuan An District, Binh Duong Province, +84-650-756-660)

About 30 minutes from District 1, Song Be Golf Resort is a land of green free of the congestion found in the heart of Saigon. You and the kids will all love the clean, breezy air and the well-maintained playground with a reflexology rock bed shaped like a giant foot print. There?s also a rainbow-colored playhouse, jungle gym, and swings. The swimming pool has a large wading pool and shallow ledge that?s perfect for young children. The food at the resort restaurant is simple, but tasty and the buffet lunch will satisfy hungry beasts whether they like Vietnamese sausages or America-style pizza.

6. Windsor Plaza Hotel (18 an Duong Vuong, District 5)

The breakfast buffet at Windsor Plaza Hotel is a delicious way to stuff yourself right at the beginning of the day. After eating, kids can work off some energy at the spacious playroom across from the buffet restaurant. (If the playroom is closed, sweet talk the staff into opening it for you.) There are plenty of fun toys to play with inside the playroom and on the adjoining balcony, a jungle gym with tunnel slides will keep them busy. If the kids get dirty, shops below the hotel sell a full range of affordable clothing for the whole family.

7. New World Hotel Saigon, Sunday Buffet (76 Le Lai St, District 1)

From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays, New World Hotel has a sumptuous buffet that will hit the spot especially if you?re looking for some Western food to complement local cuisine. The buffet also caters to children with a special seating area in the front with a TV, coloring pencils and pages to keep them busy. And a table set at kids? level is stocked with popcorn, fish sticks, hot dogs, and other munchies. Chocolate lovers will dive into the chocolate fountain and it?s also a good way to get some fruit into the kids by dipping strawberries or melons into the flowing chocolate. At about noon, circus performers mesmerize children and adults alike with fire swallowing, magic tricks, and other acts of goofiness.

8. Diamond Plaza (34 Le Duan St, District 1)

The first deluxe department store in Saigon, Diamond Plaza recently had a facelift. The food court is now perfect for families to relax on plush sofas next to panoramic windows where kids can people watch while they eat sushi, spaghetti, burgers, French fries, fruit smoothies, or ice cream. They?ll also have fun window shopping at the aquarium stall that sometimes has adorable gerbils and miniature turtles. Other shops have a full-range of toys both imported and locally made. The wooden toy stall is worth a look and there are a few on display that kids can test. The upstairs bowling alley and arcade are popular as well.

9. Parkson Department Store (28 Le Thanh Ton, District 1)

Parkson Department Store is the newest department store in Saigon. Starting at the top floor, you?ll be able to hang out for hours at the arcade and bowling alley (if you can stand the constant pinging noise and crashing pins). Adults can lounge on cushy sofas with a refreshing drink while kids bounce around to Dance Dance Revolution. Children can bowl in socks too with the help of adults. Downstairs, Love Bread bakery has bread and cake creations no one can resist. Top off with a pearl milk tea then hop on down to the toy section where little fingers learn dexterity at the fancy Lego table.

10. Restaurants That Welcome Children

While most restaurants in Saigon make way for children, some stand-out in their hospitality toward little ones. Juice Bar at 49 Mac Thi Buoi, District 1 has a special kids menu ? a favorite is Bella?s Cheezy Pizza ? and fruit smoothies. Al Fresco?s just down the street from Juice papers their tables and provides crayons so kids can release their inner Picasso a la local Vietnamese painters. The second mezzanine level of Au Parc Deli at 23 Han Thuyen, District 1 is a sun room where children can let their hair down provided you go early or late enough to miss the lunchtime crowd.

With so many fun places to stimulate their senses, your kids will love Saigon as much as you do.

Nerves kept me from sleeping for the entire past week. Last night was the first somewhat restful sleep I’ve had and I could probably use at least one more night before my energy levels climb higher than the level of fatigue. But I probably won’t feel completely rested until we’ve made London our home. Boxes arrive on January 28th.

One box was already waiting for us when we got to Singapore. A big one from Dell – our new Inspiron 9300 laptop! We’ll be busy playing and transferring data to the new computer before leaving on Wednesday.

If only unpacking in London could be as much fun as opening a new computer box.

~~~~~
*Not for us, for the motorcyclists, pedestrians, and street vendors.

Stephen came home about two hours after packing started. I had asked that the living room and all his toys be packed first because I knew that if he were here, he’d want to play with all his toys and would have a hard time letting them go. When he walked in, he went straight to his toy cabinets and saw that they were empty. The poor kid never had a more pathetic look on his face when he tearfully asked, “Where’s my plane?”

It was at that moment when it finally hit. We aren’t going to be living here anymore.

No more authentic Vietnamese food, household help, pirated DVD’s, and a mandatory game of chicken when crossing the road. We’re moving back to the land of gigantic supermarkets, parks and museums, and stoplights.

Thank you, Vietnam, for a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.

The guy taking over from Marv has arrived with his family and we are busy showing them the ins-and-outs of Ho Chi Minh City. The movers come on Thursday and we fly out on Saturday. We’ll transit in Singapore for a few days then head onward to London.

So from now until the end of January, I may not post as frequently as I usually do. Please don’t forget about me!

Our belongings basically belong to the following categories:

• Things we’re taking ourselves.
• Things the moving company will pack for us.
• Things that belong to the apartment building.
• Things I’m giving away.
• Garbage

“Why didn’t you write ‘Don’t Move’?” Marv asked.

The note actually started out as “NOT MOVING” but I changed it to “NO MOVE” because it seemed like a more straightforward message. Our packers are local Vietnamese who may or may not understand English well. I figure everyone understands “NO” and “MOVE” should be part of a moving company employee’s vocabulary.

Or maybe the notes are a form of silent protest.