SOLO IN BANGKOK, LAOS AND VIETNAM 1/08 (ekscrunchy abridged trip report)
Apr 8th, 2009, 06:41 PM
#21
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No, it is "Or Lam". It is like a stew, using various spices and "weeds" which are unique to LP. It can be made with beef, chicken or pork as the main ingredient. I love it and my wife makes a mean one....if you are ever in Vientiane....
Apr 9th, 2009, 03:17 AM
#22
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My friends from NYC are retired and they spend 6 months each year in Vientiane. Much nicer than Ft. Lauderdale, I imagine!!
So perhaps one of these days when I visit them, I will take you up on your offer! Thank you!
So perhaps one of these days when I visit them, I will take you up on your offer! Thank you!
Apr 9th, 2009, 05:05 AM
#23
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Let's see, the OP plans to go to Vientienne and enjoy a dish that uses weeds that are "Unique to LP". Maybe she will sneak up to LP, steal some weeds and return to Vientienne to enjoy Or Lab. We put nothing past her.
Apr 10th, 2009, 02:12 AM
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Vientiane: Please ignore the previous comment; he must have escaped from his cage.
I would be delighted! If you are an expat in Vientiane you may even know my friends!
I brought home several packages of dried "river weed" from LP; I never did figure out what to do with them. My Japanese cousin-in-law ended up frying them for snacks..
I would be delighted! If you are an expat in Vientiane you may even know my friends!
I brought home several packages of dried "river weed" from LP; I never did figure out what to do with them. My Japanese cousin-in-law ended up frying them for snacks..
Apr 10th, 2009, 02:32 AM
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When chefs are running hopelessly behind, they are said to be "in the weeds". Why do I suspect that this is Ekscrunchy's place of residence? There should be an extra penalty for overusing semi-colons. Two of them in five sentences. Does this reflect her mode of thought. One shudders.
Apr 10th, 2009, 08:53 AM
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Thanks for reposting ekscruschy, as I had missed the report earlier. I'm saving it for my own trip to Laos and VietNam, which I think, after reading your report, is going to have to be sooner than later.
Apr 11th, 2009, 10:42 AM
#32
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I will start one of those threads!
I am just finishing up this book, about a Chinese-Canadian woman who returns to China (after having lived there several times, including during the Cultural Revolution, when in her Maoist fervor, she turned in a schoolmate (bad sentence, I know!!) )
A COMRADE LOST AND FOUND by Jan Wong
Interesting, but not "essential" reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Comrade-Lost-F.../dp/015101342X
I am just finishing up this book, about a Chinese-Canadian woman who returns to China (after having lived there several times, including during the Cultural Revolution, when in her Maoist fervor, she turned in a schoolmate (bad sentence, I know!!) )
A COMRADE LOST AND FOUND by Jan Wong
Interesting, but not "essential" reading.
http://www.amazon.com/Comrade-Lost-F.../dp/015101342X
Apr 11th, 2009, 12:14 PM
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I don't know either of those titles but just requested them from interlibrary loan -- thanks.
Speaking of a 1930s Shanghai backdrop, did you see the film, THE WHITE COUNTESS a few years back? It starred Natasha Richardson alas.
I recommend James Fallows' set of essays (originally published in the ATLANTIC) -- POSTCARDS FROM TOMORROW SQUARE: REPORTS FROM CHINA for thoughtful discussion of many issues affecting China and Chinese-American relations. I also recently finished Leslie Chang's FACTORY GIRLS which is very readable.
I don't think that I have ever read anything set in Burma/Myanmar. Has trip planning unearthed anything?
Speaking of a 1930s Shanghai backdrop, did you see the film, THE WHITE COUNTESS a few years back? It starred Natasha Richardson alas.
I recommend James Fallows' set of essays (originally published in the ATLANTIC) -- POSTCARDS FROM TOMORROW SQUARE: REPORTS FROM CHINA for thoughtful discussion of many issues affecting China and Chinese-American relations. I also recently finished Leslie Chang's FACTORY GIRLS which is very readable.
I don't think that I have ever read anything set in Burma/Myanmar. Has trip planning unearthed anything?
Apr 12th, 2009, 03:52 AM
#35
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I have POSTCARDS on my list!
For Burma, a very good one is THE TROUSER PEOPLE
Also: a novel: THE PIANO TUNER by Daniel Mason
I did not see the White Countess; I will look that up right now on Netflix!
I saw the Ang Lee recent film--Lust, Caution
For Burma, a very good one is THE TROUSER PEOPLE
Also: a novel: THE PIANO TUNER by Daniel Mason
I did not see the White Countess; I will look that up right now on Netflix!
I saw the Ang Lee recent film--Lust, Caution
May 10th, 2009, 06:33 AM
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Eks Just re-read this and i plan to print off the Vietnam portion as there are LOADS of things i plan to replicate, fabulous report. The restaurant reccos are top of my list as they sound just our thing - i too am an avid luxe guide reader (i also plan to stay at the Sofitel in Hanoi and the Park Hyatt in HCMC)
Jan 28th, 2012, 11:15 AM
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Thank you eks for a wonderful trip report. I enjoyed the read. Hope your foot problem is a distant memory. We are going to Vietnam for the first time in March and we want to have a list of restaurants at the ready. Your description of the food is making me hungry!
A question for you; at some of the more upscale restaurants how did you dress? I am trying to hold it to one small suitcase but I don't want to insult anyone by being too casually dressed.
thanks very much
Michele
A question for you; at some of the more upscale restaurants how did you dress? I am trying to hold it to one small suitcase but I don't want to insult anyone by being too casually dressed.
thanks very much
Michele
