Ho Chi Minh City, 03/02/2009, by Raymond Storms
It feels like yesterday when I bought a last minute ticket to Thailand to meet up with Tommy amd Fede. I can't believe I leave tomorrow to return to my everyday life. I still remember arriving in Chiang Mai where Fede bpmbarded me with a million questions about the plane I took from NYC. There was no hi Raymond! How was your flight? Instead it was was it a Boeing 777 or 747 how many passengers? How many hours?...Are you sure I don't believe you. It felt like an interrogation. ha ha I will take back a suitcase full of many fond memories throughout the trip from the slow boat where we had everyone from all around the world sing there national anthem and then learned beautiful spanish songs on the guitar to kayaking to Ventiane where our kaya flipped (great balancing skills Fede!) and my engagement ring now sits at the bottom of the river. I have witnessed a completely different way of life where smiles are abundant and patience is mandatory. Foriegners are welcomed as curious children stare with eager eyes. I was fascinated at how strong the locals spirits are. You would have thought they were millionares. They seem happy and content with there trivial life style. Maybe they have discovered the true maning of life. Once again I have made friends quickly and shared life experiences even celebrated a strangers birthday as if we had grown up together. There is something very powerful that happens to me when I travel. I feel I discover myself through others and also realize how big the world really is. I was greatly moved by the Khmer Rouge Museum in Ho Chi Min City. It baffles me how humans can destroy each other without giving it a second thought. In war, a school became a torture chamber for thousands of innocent people small children who haven't had a taste of the world, but quickly discovered death. I felt so priviliged to not have experienced war up close and personal. War to me is something I read about. Out of site out of mind. I felt spoiled not having to go through something that many countries have accepted as the norm. Southeast Asia has changed me.
One of my fondest memories is of our last big celebration which took place last night as a fancy restaurant called Mandarin. The food is known to be some of the best and after experiencing it first hand I would have to agree. My birthday is on Feb. 15 so the guys bought me a silk kimono from the market. As usual they bargained the poor woman into almost giving us the clothes for free. They are business men for sure ha ha. Fede, Tommy and Christophe also purchased silk shirts in different colors. The idea was since I was leaving early we would celebrate my birthday early and I was to wear the kimono and they there shirts. After puting it on I felt very stupid as no one in the country wears such a thing to go out in. We decided to have fun and the guys said why don't you be a famous opera singer from America. Fede told me I have to start practicing. I put on my sunglasses (at night to hide from the paparazzi) and we were out teh door. The night could not have gone better. Christophe was my bodyguard as well as my manager. Fede was my financial advisor and Tommy was my PR agent. Tommy and Fede went to Mandarin and stated that Mr. Raymond Storms himself is on his way and they need the best table in the house. The staff agreed and said oh yes Raymond Storms of course very famous! We caused such a stir at the restaurant. Fede and Tommy walked on my left and right hand side. Christophe walked behind me and acted like he was speaking into a head piece. The entire staff was waiting on us hand and food. The guys made sure I was served first and happy with everything. I think they had more fun with it than I did! Afterwards I sang for the manager and staff and they loved it. They really played there parts well. Mr. Storms would like this and Mr. Ucci would like that. As soon as we entered the taxi we almost peed our pants from laughing. The manager of Mandarin called a taxi for us and sent us to the best disco club in town where we made a seen again. People were asking me who are you? and Fede was blocking the people from getting too close. Everyone was watchingh us even the security guards. We had so much fun! I hope you have enjoyed having a slice of tghe trip through my eyes. Guys may the rest of your trip be as fun if not better. Don't miss me to much and don't eat to many cucumbers ha ha!
One of my fondest memories is of our last big celebration which took place last night as a fancy restaurant called Mandarin. The food is known to be some of the best and after experiencing it first hand I would have to agree. My birthday is on Feb. 15 so the guys bought me a silk kimono from the market. As usual they bargained the poor woman into almost giving us the clothes for free. They are business men for sure ha ha. Fede, Tommy and Christophe also purchased silk shirts in different colors. The idea was since I was leaving early we would celebrate my birthday early and I was to wear the kimono and they there shirts. After puting it on I felt very stupid as no one in the country wears such a thing to go out in. We decided to have fun and the guys said why don't you be a famous opera singer from America. Fede told me I have to start practicing. I put on my sunglasses (at night to hide from the paparazzi) and we were out teh door. The night could not have gone better. Christophe was my bodyguard as well as my manager. Fede was my financial advisor and Tommy was my PR agent. Tommy and Fede went to Mandarin and stated that Mr. Raymond Storms himself is on his way and they need the best table in the house. The staff agreed and said oh yes Raymond Storms of course very famous! We caused such a stir at the restaurant. Fede and Tommy walked on my left and right hand side. Christophe walked behind me and acted like he was speaking into a head piece. The entire staff was waiting on us hand and food. The guys made sure I was served first and happy with everything. I think they had more fun with it than I did! Afterwards I sang for the manager and staff and they loved it. They really played there parts well. Mr. Storms would like this and Mr. Ucci would like that. As soon as we entered the taxi we almost peed our pants from laughing. The manager of Mandarin called a taxi for us and sent us to the best disco club in town where we made a seen again. People were asking me who are you? and Fede was blocking the people from getting too close. Everyone was watchingh us even the security guards. We had so much fun! I hope you have enjoyed having a slice of tghe trip through my eyes. Guys may the rest of your trip be as fun if not better. Don't miss me to much and don't eat to many cucumbers ha ha!
SIETE BELLISSIMI! raymond mi sembri jhon cena...ahahaaaaaaaa
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