Friends and the Moon Cake Festival

 Now i believe that my dad knows a lot of people from all over the world.  We have been busy meeting with friends.  At first we met with Chris and his Vietnamese friend Lye. Few days later we met Minh, her husband Dave and their daughter Lisa.  Lisa is 4 she is so cute, she speaks both English and Vietnamese. She and I played video games and hide and seek.
We met with Stephen and Vong.  Vong is my moms friend she took us to Chinatown in District 5.  I had never seen so many people all in one place.  People were buying lanterns and goodies for the moon festival.  The biggest celebrations for the moon festival starts this weekend.  Children celebrate moon festival on the streets singing and carrying colorful lanterns. Dances are traditional including a dragon dance and flower dance. People give each other moon cakes.

Vong and I in Chinatown.

Our landlady Houng gave us a big box of moon cakes. Last night i went with my friends Mai and Phuong to the mooncake celebration.  We got a lot of goodies then went out to eat Pho.  It was a lot of fun!

My friends Mai and Phuong.

War Remnants Museum in HCM city (The American War)

Few days ago my mom took me to the War Museum.  There are 3 levels in the museum.  The first  level shows guns and bombs used during the war.  The second level shows pictures of people who looked different because of Agent Orange, some of the pictures were too scary for me.  The third level is about people all over the world wanting the war to stop.  Also on the third level there are writings and photographs of some photographers who were at the war . Outside, there are vehicles, helicopters and tanks used during the Vietnam War. as well as Tiger Cages and small cages where they kept the prisoners of war.

After visiting the War Museum i kept thinking about what i saw, i was sad.  Many people died for nothing. I hate War!

Our new Apartment in Ho Chi Minh City

Finally we got settled in our new apartment.  The view is amazing! We are on the 19th floor  overlooking the whole of Ho Chi Minh City.  From my bedroom i can throw a stone to the Reunification palace, walk to the park and see Saigon river and the rest of Ho Chi Minh City.  We get to walk to the restaurants, museums, grocery store, cabs and motorcycles (which i like to ride on) are all over the the city. HCM city is a very busy city, people are everywhere day and night.  I REALLY like it here!  And the food is Yummy!!! My mom and dad chose the best place for us to stay.

Its been raining almost every day but it is still very beautiful. This is the view in the rain from my bedroom windows.

Nhu Lan restaurant on Ho Tung Mau street

Finally we got to Vietnam around midnight . We were so tired. Today we were going to have breakfast at my mom and my dad's favorite restaurant, we were shocked to see it looked like it was closed then my dad went in and asked the lady what was going on because the restaurant was full of big red boxes no tables and  nowhere to sit. The lady explained that it was was moon cake season so we couldn't eat at the restaurant for the next two weeks.  We didn't  have a clue what she was talking about. Later we found out that they sell thousands  of moon cakes this time of the year to celebrate Chinese lunar festival. Later in the day we decided to get one of the moon cakes all i can say it taste different, i guess it's a taste you have to get used to!

Airport lounge at LAX waiting to fly to South Korea

We're in the airport lounge at LAX  we have to wait for two hours for the plane to South Korea i'm so excited until we get to South Korea. We then fly to Vietnam . I'm going to miss Bomvu but i can't wait to get to Vietnam.

Traveling Africa on my way to Asia

After spending  two months in Zambia, Kenya and South Africa I finally came back to California. I've started homeschooling with my mom- so far so good. We've also been busy seeing friends, family and packing for Vietnam.  On Sunday we leave for Vietnam. I look forward to making new friends, travelling to different countries in Asia and learning a new language. I will miss friends, family and my dog Bomvu!

Xin Chao
Nandi-Weziwe