Swallow House

There is a building across the road from my house that was recently erected. It stands five stories high, about four meters wide and thirteen meters deep. It's an unpainted concrete structure that has only small windows on the back side making it look much like a grain silo that you would see in the Midwest. Though someone obviously lives on the ground floor, the rest of the building appears to be vacant and unfinished. I thought it strange and couldn't figure out why someone would build such a place. It's too big for a family house and too small for a hotel. I was informed it is a swallow house; a house for swallows to build their nests so they can be harvested and sold. Each morning and evening tens, if not hundreds, of swallows swoop through the sky around the house, creating a delightful dance of sight and sound for the neighborhood. I guess bird's nests for soup bring big dollars in this part of the world. I've hear as much as $800.00 USD per pound.

Tet

Much has taken place since my last entry in this blog. I returned to the States for the holidays and spent time with my family. It was sure great to see them though there didn't seem to be enough time to go around. But it was good to see that all are doing well. I have been back in Da Nang for a little over a week now and am starting to get back in the swing of things over here again.

Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year (Tet). It's the year of the water buffalo which is the year I was born in and is the same for Anh. Not sure if that means anything but it sounds good. So Chuc mong nam mui (Happy New Year). Tet is a real big holiday for the Vietnamese. It's like Christmas, Thanksgiving, Memorial Day, etc. all rolled into one big celebration. The streets and shops are packed with people buying flowers and other items for their homes. They are definitely in a holiday mood. I was invited to join some friends for a "special lunch" and, of course the main dish was one of the delecacies of the Viets, dog. This wasn't my first experience with it but it's always a bit of a challenge to sit up to the table. Actually it's not bad but it's the idea of it. I guess it's all a matter of what you're use to.



My house is still not finished but is definitely livable now. All that needs done is some painting and cleaning. However, it's the holiday now and will be for at least another week. No one wants to work over the holiday. Anh and I have been working at getting things cleaned up but some of it is going to have to be done by a professional crew with a floor polisher and other equipment.

House Finished (?)

Well after four completely crazy months, the house is finally finished. Well almost finished. The major construction is done and there are only a few back up items to be taken care of to make it cozy. We still need to paint and get the closets and interior doors installed, the main kitchen cabinets put in, the stair rail on, and there is one hell of a lot of clean up to be done. But the place is starting to feel like a place to live and I am pleased with it.

We had a party here last night for all the people who worked on the house. Anh and her friend Vanh fixed up a traditional meal of duck and chicken complete with rice, soup and salad. Of course there was plenty of beer on hand.























This has all come around none too soon because I head out of here to go home for the holidays next week. I will be back in The States for a month and am really looking forward to seeing everyone as well as having a good Mexican dinner. I hope the new house is all cleaned and settled by the time I return. All I have to do now is find my socks. I hear it's cold in Colorado right now.

Of Sausage, Law, and Houses

Well as you can see from these pictures, my house is nearly finished. We were going to do something a little more on the outside but I like it the way it is, especially the garage door.

I am constantly impressed with the technology and equipment that is necessary for such a project. The scaffolding used to haul the cement for the roof is an example of what I mean. I really wanted them to leave it in place for an observation deck but the contractor won't part with it.

The shot of the living room looking back toward the stairs is an example of how we have stayed with neutral colors and use splashes of bold color to give ambiance, i.e the red furnishings and doors. I am most fond of the stairway. Since it is such a key element to the design of the house, I decided to go all out and make it a showpiece.

And I must say, it was tempting to not stucco over the brickwork and just have the warm feel of master craftsmen throughout the house. But the cement covering keeps the harmony of the neutral color scheme.This can be seen well in the shot of my bedroom and bathroom wall. The place needs to be tidied up little but does look cozy, don't you agree? Watching it all come together is such a rewarding experience.
















I heard it once said that a man who has respect for the law and a fondness of sausage should never watch either being made. This is also true of building a house in Vietnam!

The Wet Season

The wet season has begun. Every day, clouds roll in from the mountains in the west and dump rain on the city. The showers can last anywhere from fifteen minutes to several hours. The locals say this has been a mild season so far. We have not experienced any of the major typhoons that often hit Da Nang. The rain does cool things off and it can be almost chilly in the evenings. It feels good to me but many of the locals bundle up like it's freezing. Today is a bright sunny day though. However huge white thunderheads are building in the deep blue sky over the mountains, giving warning that rain will come tonight.

I have found a great little spot on the beach where I can sit under a grass umbrella and watch the surf roll in while eating a bowl of steamed clams and schrimp. Sometimes they also have roasted corn on the cob. I come here often on days when I do not have to work to get away from the noise and clamor of the city. It's peaceful there since not many people come to the beach in the middle of the day. I'm often the only person out there and can't help but feel like I am on my own private island.


Today, I met the old gentleman who lives behind me. He's kind of the celebrity of the neighborhood. He was a decorated officer with the North during the war and showed me a photograph of him standing with General Giap. He invited me into his home for coffee and a cigarette and we tried to share some information about ourselves. Again, the language barrier can be a frustration but not enough to keep us from liking each other.

Web Site

I know it's been a while since I've updated this blog. Part of the reason is that I have been busy putting together a web site. I have it up and running now so check it out when you have the time. It's at www.billinnam.com I'm going to try to keep this blog current but right now, the web site has priority.

If you have an interest in visiting Vietnam. Check out the packages I have put together. I don't thing you can beat the price and I am sure you can't beat the experience.

My House

For those who are not aware of it yet, it's my house they are building next door. Yep, that's right. I've made the leap and decided to have a house built over here. It looks like a good investment and besides, where else can you have a house custom built by the beach for less than it would cost to rent in Colorado for four years.

I have to admit, it's kind of scary. I've built houses before but I've never seen one done like this. I'd jump in and help but I don't have a clue of what to do. So, I just stay out of the way and try to look important.

But I couldn't do this alone. Anh, a lady I have worked with as a guide for many years is going in on the house as a partner with me. She knows how to get the people and the materials together and is doing an amazing job of it. Especially when you consider that she is on the road leading tours for much of the time. Here is a shot of her and her group of Belgians she brought through Da Nang last month. That's Anh standing on the left.



Here are a few shots of the progress and a drawing of what the final is supposed to look like. The second floor is nearly complete and they are ready to pour the concrete for the next level. The house will have two floors plus a room and kitchenette on the third level.