Booze News

Peru’s top court has ruled that workers cannot be fired for being drunk, a decision the Government says sets a dangerous precedent. The Constitutional Tribunal said the firing of a janitor was excessive because even though he was drunk, he did not offend or hurt anybody.

http://www.theage.com.au/oddspot

Wine and Salsa

Wine and salsa.

A good mix? 11 days ago I didn’t think so. That’s why I stuck to vodka and salsa. However by about 9pm many of the other people forgot about everything but the wine. It was chaos as the night went on. Think drunken mess in the Yarra Valley wine district. Lots of amusement to watch everywhere I looked.

Dealing with the hot weather.

The weather is unusually hot yet perfect for the weekend. 30 degrees is the perfect temperature. As I set out for the Southbank Boulevard region of Melbourne, I could feel the excitement grow. I arrived about 5 minutes early yet by the time I had signed in a group of others had arrived on a bachelor party. Within minutes it was ready to start and the first sample came out. It was a Hoegaarden, a wheat beer. I was told to look at the cloudiness of the colour, and find the citrus in the taste. I was also told that this is a good starting beer as there is no bitterness.

The guy who was telling me all this was Charles Coll, a guy with the most enviable job. He is an expert beer guru. He works as a writer for beer industry magazines. He stated a typical day would be waking up at 9.30 in the morning to collect a sample slab, and then test it all day. What a job. After giving us the description of a hard days work, we moved into an area set aside for the purpose of the day – drinking. Sorry I meant beer appreciation.

I felt like I was back in school with the way the tables were set up, except that instead of books, there were glasses. Different types of glasses. The teacher went on describing the merits of different glasses, the mixing of food and beer, the reasons why some women are beer averse, how Budwieser made Asian beer, and why monks became expert brewers, as I went about appreciating the slow trickle of beer coming my way.

The beer that surprised me most was pinky/red. It was a desert beer. I had not even thought about a red beer, let alone making beer taste like cherry. It was matched with chocolate mousse. It was heavenly, think a beery cherry ripe. Maybe, not so good for an all nighter yet definitely a refined way to end a meal.

Afterwards we were put to the test, and I hooked up with these guys on another bachelor party. After trying a few other brands of beer, they went to kick on at the casino and asked me to come along. I went with them to the casino and we went to eat. The mood pretty much died from their as over consumption started to creep in and I split. I was thinking it was a fantastic day and went home to sleep it off in a beery dream world.

And the best way to enjoy beer, in its pure form.

Whoa!

Last Thursday night I was invited to share my experiences in the Mekong Delta. I had a good time however I was curious as to why every story I told started with after drinking x amount of y, then main point of the story. I am sure I did more than just drink in my time in Vietnam. Well anyway Friday was hell, because the night before I drank too much wine. The head was throbbing all day and my concentration easily departed from the task at hand.

Trying to find some photos of the crocs that escpaed in Hue and filling the flooded town with fear, I want to offer Tyler some advice if he meets one. I want to let him know about how we handle crocs down here below the equator. Now you have all seen The Crocodile Hunter, and I just want you all to know that it is a little Hollywoodised. You don't need to go to the bush to find them, they are in all the cities here. Anyway, also when we catch them we cut them up and eat them or make boots out of them a la Crocodile Dundee.

Sometimes we are not so lucky and the croc gets to eat the steaks.









Anyway I came across this picture which took my breath away with how amazing it is. I found it like one of those pictures on perspectives where you look and see an old woman for about 10 minutes then bam! you find the young woman and the old woman left the building.

I really am not sure if this is a true rock formation or just some photoshop trickery, yet I like it. Just in case you are having trouble with seeing it below is the bam! factor.

Thirsty?

Here is an ad that is currently being shown in Oz at the moment which I really like. Enjoy!

Also Carlton is where I live.

Jeff

Well luckily Eric keeps tabs on everybody’s moves so we know where to go and when. Last week we went to HCMC and met Jeff. I thought that last time I would see Jeff was in LX when I was cursing about no Gatorade. It seems the whole country has run out as I haven’t found any in HCMC either. Jeff is based in Long My with VIA and was on his way to Nha Trang, the long beautiful beach.

I got a message from Jeff to meet at the Eden restaurant. At this restaurant I met one of Jeff’s co-volunteers from Can Tho. Just as we were leaving the waitress came over and started to tell Jeff to cut his beard. I was quite amused to watch this yet I needed to be careful or it may happen to me. Sure enough Jeff betrayed me to the waitress however she said only he should cut his beard. I had a good laugh and decided it was time to go.

We met up a little later and proceeded to view the art show. Afterwards Jeff was starting to feel hungry and was convincing us to look for this really good restaurant. It was worth the search. We ordered our food and I can say I was impressed with what we got.

Next we headed out to Sheridan’s Irish bar. We sat there and drank Amberstout most of the night. I must admit I like this beer more than I like Guinness. We talked about nothing for a really long time, yet it was not boring. At 11 Jeff got a reminder to make our way to Go2 bar.

We jumped into the taxi and met up with his friends from earlier today. We found that Amberstout was cheaper here than at the Irish bar and decided to stay for a few more. It was not long that we had put down quite a few and I was starting to feel bloated. I couldn’t put anything more into me after a pizza, a kebab, a huge chicken sandwich, and a large amount of beer. It was time to go home and crash.

The Australia Vietnam friendship foundation of An Giang

The Australia Vietnam friendship foundation of An Giang is something my boss dreamed up when I first arrived here. I am not sure what it is yet always provides a good excuse to have a beer or two. Occasionally there is a reason like Australia day or sometimes there is not. This time it was to introduce two new members to our club – Kirsty and Jack.

I had met Doug, an old timer here in LX working with Ausaid, when I first arrived. He was working on a water engineering project and finished last year.

He returned to Australia and just arrived back a few weeks ago to finish the old project and start a new one. I met him once already yet this time he was required on more official duties. He arrived with a consultant from his project. Mai, my bosses wife, had ordered the food for us which was coming out as we were sitting down. It started off fairly slow as the group was a little too big. I found it was hard to hear what was going on the other side of the table.

Just as we finished the food I and everyone else was in for a big shock. Dr Rang had just arrived. He had studied at Melbourne University and just came back from visiting Australia were he attended his daughters engagement party. Yet even though his presence was a shock to me, the next thing left me floored – a bottle of Penfold’s cab sav.

It was the best wine I have tasted in years. Now I will not profess that I know anything about wine yet this was good. After we finished the wine we were about to go when it was suggested that I get a photo with the waitresses. Well in this picture I look a little too excited, maybe even scary, definitely creepy. I will blame the wine and beer combo.

Just as we left Dr Rang asked if I would like to have a few more at another place and as I hadn’t seen him for a long time I thought why not. He invited his friend who had also just returned from Australia. Well after a few, I saw the picture of Larue beer (terrible hangovers in the morning) and the Sydney opera house trying to put them together. I couldn’t and just figured that it was all the beer and wine again.

Whisky and green tea

I read about a new drink which is popular in Asia called whisky and green tea. It is described as taking the harshness out of the scotch. Well I wasn’t really sold on the idea until the weekend of Tyler’s farewell, when I was talking with Jeff about it. He thought the flavours of the tea would add to the complexity of the scotch making it surreal drinking experience. Now after some advertising like that I was a fool not to try.

I had organised some different types of green tea and a bottle of Glen Fiddich. I was really excited after the discussion with Jeff and a little sad that he was not here to enjoy it. The night before Hendrik had told us he had never had Glen Fiddich before and we thought we might as well let him have some on his last day in LX. After the unknown farewell party, Eric and I headed back to the ER to try the drinks.

After what seemed a long time to we were able to dispense with the photographing ceremony and proceed to open the bottle. The first drink we had was with the traditional Japanese green tea. Eric searched the web to see if there was a special way to do this yet we came back empty handed.

So we just mixed them as you would any drink with whisky and proceeded to drink it. The taste was all green tea. It overpowered any of the delicateness the scotch had. We both decided that the next one had to be different.

The next one was the honey green tea. Now I thought this would compliment the scotch due to a drink known as Drambuie, a scotch liqueur. So this time we measure a lot less tea with the scotch and proceeded to taste. This was about equal parts and it still just tasted like tea. I was disappointed and wondered why does anyone want to do this to scotch, especially one like this.

Eric and I had one last chance, tonic. Of the drinks so far this was the best one. It had a citrus taste which was not so dominant. If there was one thing I learnt that night, is the best way to drink Glen Fiddich is on the rocks. Oh yes there was some left when Hendrik arrived back as well.

Hendrik

For the last 9 months Hendrik has been with us here at AGU. He was a postgraduate IT student doing a project with the library. I learnt a lot of things about Germany and German culture. He really was a great guy, not what I would expect from an IT student. I also learnt the correct way to drink those German beers. The big ones. At Oktoberfest last year, which coincided with Hendrik’s birthday, we went Lang Toi and ordered litre beers. Metta, a Danish girl was also there and they wanted to have a proper Oktoberfest drinking comp. After much instruction I followed their lead and found myself with a sore arm. How can these guys lift a litre of beer with one arm. I thought it was crazy. They proceeded to tell us that there were barmaids capable of carrying 8 of these glasses through a tent of drunk Germans doing there slap dances.

Occasionally when the mood was right Hendrik would do a slap dance. Of all the crazy memories I have of Hendrik, one dance he did etched in my mind forever and when I picture Oktoberfest I am sure this is what all the people are doing.

Saturday Hendrik departed for the Middle East then off to Germany. We heard he arrived safely and did some things we wanted to do. On Wednesday last week was his official send off. He had a private dinner with his boss and the head of the university. By about 7.45 I was starting to feel my stomach eat itself as I could no longer wait for the food at the after party. I went to contact Eric yet his yahoo message was perplexing making me feel that I should not contact him.

Eventually Eric was starting to feel the pangs of hunger and contacted me and we quickly made our way to Truyen’s. At the restaurant Lillian and the family were there waiting. Next along was Sabrina. She is from Switzerland and is working for the pesticides department of the department of agriculture and rural development. She is doing her internship for here degree here in Long Xuyen.

Truyen had cooked up too plates of beef. If the beef had of been Australian it would have been divine. All the same the flavour was great if a little chewy. There were some really good deep fried mushrooms as well.

After everybody had arrived, I started to wonder if Hendrik was coming. He contacted us to tell us he was on his way yet this was about 30 minutes ago, and nothing takes 30 minutes to get to in Long Xuyen. I met Jack for the first time that night, he is the long term defacto of Kirsty, the other AVI who is newly arrived. She is working with the English dept. Jack kind of reminded me of my uncle Mick, a good bloke to have a drink with.

When Hendrik and his girlfriend Thu, arrived they were carrying a special present, a bottle of Johnny. We continued to eat and Truyen was well and truly beyond the great unknown expanse of drunkenness and kept ordering food. We kept drinking and then left at the latest possible moment.

Saying goodbye to Sabrina, with Truyen watching.

At the guest house the party continued and we drank the whiskey empty. Hendrik was even brave enough to pick up a guitar and play. I was starting to feel tired myself as I did not sleep well the previous few days and by this time I could tell Hendrik had had a long day and the whiskey was taking its toll. We had a mission to complete, finish the bottle. I struggled through the tiredness and together the three of us finished the bottle and called it a night.

Playing the Guitar

The evidence makes us guilty

What are they doing?

Well the Coop Mart has done it again. After asking them to stock cheese they finally did. I felt elated about having cheese, and relieved not to need to ask for cheese every time my friend goes to Can Tho. After rectifying the cheese issue it has done one worse.

Now when you are hungover there is nothing like lemon-lime Gatorade (or even orange). It just peaks you up. So I felt that now everything is set, drink all night and one bottle of Gatorade for breakfast. Such a sweet deal.

Now they have decided not to stock it. Why? If there was ever a place that needed Gatorade outside of a sports venue it is Long Xuyen. Drinking is a national sport here. And I have seen some guys at work looking like they fought a truck at high speed (I have even seen it in the mirror sometimes too). I guess I am disappointed. No really disappointed. You see Jeff rocked in from Long My yesterday and we started a little early and finished a little late. And today I woke up feeling like I had survived a nuclear detonation in my head. I really just wanted to go and vege out and have some refreshing, life giving Gatorade. As I write this my mind is ticking (loudly) about how to get more Gatorade into LX. (pic is from Wiki)

The last days of Tyler

Tyler is a volunteer from America working with VIA. He graced our presence about August 2005 and has left to see his family and friends in America yesterday for a short time. In August he will return to Vietnam to work in Hue at an orphanage. I feel that he is the first of our family to go over the next month or so. After a week full of parties (including with his faculty, pictured) he planned a big one up in Ho Chi Minh City to send him off. Saturday was the only day he was available so we made all ourselves available as well.

Upon arrival at the hotel Tyler chose we were greeted by his friend who seemed happy to see him. I was feeling tired and hungry and was just longing to solve these problems. Unfortunately once in the room Discovery channel had different plans, Mythbusters: the pirate special. I was amazed at the damage a canon could do. As Mythbusters tried to disprove common pirate myths I was more and more intrigued by what they would do next. Luckily Hendrik was not so into the Mythbusters and he prodded me to go and find food. We went across the road to Lotteria, a Korean burger chain. When we returned to the room we met Jeff, another VIA volunteer stationed in Long My, deep in the south. He liked the idea of food and proceeded to go and grab some burgers. As I opened my sustenance packages I was shredded by how small the triple beef burger was and after a short debate with myself joined Hendrik yelling at Jeff down the street to bring more food. Once that was all settled we decided just to kickback and wait for the evenings activities.

The restaurant chosen was Mogambos, a kind of American styled menu restaurant with an African theme. As I waited at the table I felt that I was deep in the jungle as Lilian, Tyler, Jeff, Eric and I debated what animals were what. Too bad Wikipedia or Discovery channel were not around now. I ate Cajun chicken for the first time in a long time and it was delicious. The cream coated my mouth in each mouthful while the softness of the chicken was complemented with the capsicums and olives. As I was eating I was wishing that I had not eaten the second burger at lunch, as I was rapidly becoming full. I managed to survive the task and try the Creole rice that was served wit the chicken, yet that was really disappointing as it was dry and hard.

After dinner we were eager to start the night’s entertainment off. We went to Sheridan’s Irish House just around the corner. When we arrived it was quiet because of the FA cup and also it was Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, and National Assembly elections Sunday. Michael, the owner later informed us that it was the feast day of Ivo of Kermartin (the patron Saint of Lawyers). Because of this he was in a singing and partying mood, and I felt his presence made the bar full. He offered a token of loyal attendance by giving us each a shot of feliz with a sparkler.

I was electrified by the atmosphere in the bar and didn’t notice that closing time was upon us until Michael asked us to finish our drinks because it was past closing time. We returned to the hotel and some of us decided to finish ourselves off while others went to sleep. All in all I felt it was a fantastic success.

Ruou Can

Ruou Can is a type of rice wine that is a speciality of the central highlands. In February, Hendrik went to Boun Ma Thout in the Vietnamese central highlands and scored us a jug. The jug was supposed to be for 4 litres worth of wine, enough for 5 people. Wednesday we decided to measure whether 4 litres was enough. The first step in its preparation is to open the jug and fill it with water. The jug itself contains two types of rice ingredients, sticky rice and normal rice. We are unsure how adding water to these ingredients actually produces alcohol, yet Tyler’s early experiences in the highlands assured us that there would be some. During the 20 minutes in which you wait for the wine to ferment you need to check that the bamboo straws have no holes in them. Like most things involving drinking and eating it a communal jug, that is everybody has their own straw in the jug. As all this was happening I was a spectator feeling nervous as I can recall the taste from one attempt previously. The taste can best be described as sour, and no indication that there is any alcohol in the jug.

After about an hour, I felt the mood had really changed from one of drinking to one of talk. Hendrik wanted to milk the jug for all it’s content. He appeared to be disappointed that there was really no alcohol in the jug so he decided to go quick fix and add rice wine. He thought it improved yet Eric didn’t. By this time had opted out of the jug due to the lack of an agreeable taste. I felt the highlight of the night was discussion rather than the drink, yet now I can say that I have tried this type of wine.

Trance music

Trance music to most is probably best described as noise and a drum beat. 130 bpms ([drum] beats per minute or more) with background (or foreground) sounds and vocals tweaked only the ways djs know how to do. I guess it is why most people need some kind of artificial influence to enjoy it. I however just enjoy the way two records come together and how the sounds can lift, drop, or turn you around. I have enjoyed this music often drunk or sober.

Today is the first day after a long weekend commemorating the reunification of Viet Nam and Labour Day. I caught up with an old friend and when I got home I thought listening to the newly acquired DJ Tiesto mix and some Tigers would be a good way to finish the day. It was nice to feel the ups and downs, the blend of music merging into the next track on the same key. The music is good (even though the quality of the recording is not) and enjoy it with a beer or two looking at the coconut trees outside my room with Buong (my Eric’s cat) hanging around deciding to jump off the balcony to catch lizards or not.

A great way to end a lazy day (waiting for Liverpool’s victory tonight at Anfield of course).

Lest we forget

Yesterday was ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) day the day in Australia which we remember the sacrifices made by the armed forces and others to make Australia great. I always thought of this holiday as an excuse for the old guys to go out and have a drink. Yet now I can reflect on it a lot more. I feel that it really stands for a great tradition. I feel that we should remember all the sacrifices from all of Australia’s citizens, especially the people who are not so visible. The plans to scrap this holiday should be ignored and the ANZAC legend should always be remembered.

Since I am far from the Great Southern Land it is hard to find Australian’s in town. Yet I was able to recruit some takers on my mission to remember ANZAC day. I felt rushed on the way as I was late to the restaurant.

It was really surprising to see Hendrik there as he usually does not come out with us that much. He is more like the guy who always comes late to the party yet with supplies. The beer fuelled interesting conversations from medals you can win for citizenry to Liverpool’s chances of repeating 2005 feat. I enjoyed myself, and heard many jokes which made me laugh. Hendrik and Tri had to go so we called it a day.

After that restaurant I met Son, a teacher in the agriculture department. We decided that it would be a good idea to get some bbqed beef and beer. Later Eric joined us as did Kien. Kien studied in Australia at the ANU in agriculture and works with Son. We continued to have lots of fun and Kien was telling us about studying in Australia. I reminded him it was ANZAC day and he started talking about visiting the memorial in Canberra. I started to feel very nostalgic as I had been there as well. Eric and I had two more ports of call for the night and we lost and gained new people until the end.

This morning though I felt that I had been ran over by a train. The news was out that Liverpool lost at Chelsea 1 - 0. Feeling absolutely gutted I went to lunch to find I had no appetite. When the rematch at Anfield comes Liverpool will play well I am sure.

The mission

Thursday lunch I received the news that Eric wanted to have a small party with one goal in mind. From then on the afternoon seemed to drag as I was eagerly awaiting this party. I had just gotten home exhausted from teaching when I got the message go to TB immediately. As I arrived I saw that Tyler and Eric were having a good time. Just after me Nam arrived, and informed us some other friends where at another restaurant. We made the arrangements to meet them later.

The next place was called Truyen’s and the owner is a wonderful guy. When he saw us arrive he went all out to find accommodate us in the restaurant. It was packed; filled with laughter, loud voices and the aromas of food. We got ourselves a table and the others arrived. The beer started flowing fast and furiously and along came the food. Not long after Hendrik arrived with a surprise; a black bag.

Enough beer had been consumed and customers leaving the restaurant that the owner Truyen pulled out the guitar stashed out the back somewhere and asked Eric to play a ditty or two. The air was now filled with the sounds of drunken singers singing loudly to Beatle and Stone songs. Everyone was having a blast, and the excitement proved to be too much for the black bag and Hendrik’s surprise was revealed; a bottle of JW whiskey.

At Truyen's restaurant

At 11 we felt we needed to get home so that the guards wouldn’t be too upset with us yet we felt compelled to stop at the shop to get some more whiskey. In the room Eric and Truyen continued to play music.

Eric playing the violin

We all occasionally stopped for drinks.

Truyen and I

Teddy and I were sharing the feeling. I realised it would be the last time I see him, as he was off to Sweden next week to complete his PhD, and will return after I have left. Carrying on the feeling when it was time to go we stopped by my room and took some photos. In our state we must have thought it was artistic to sit in front of each other’s flag.

Teddy and I

And after 9.5 hours we completed Eric’s mission for the night, completely shoused.

The dirty duo!

Wow! Today (last night was when i wrote this) is a day that we had a hell of lot of fun. Well we ended the night with vodka (mandarin flavour) and i started with 333 beer (kinda like xxxx beer but better). One of the last songs we played was the Queen song Somebody to Love. It was a first for me as I had no idea that song was by Queen. And, it was great, we all were dancing together, me, Tyler, Eric, and Hendrik. fantastic experience. A little later we all we went to sleep, as vodka in all its forms is hardcore. Goodnight all and thanks Teddy for sharing it with us.

It's my birthdaty

Well today is my birthday and I am still celebrating. It was a great day. My friends here in Long Xuyen came out and celebrated: Tyler, Trang, Nam, Tri, Teddy, Hendrick, Dameeli, Lillian, Eric, and Phuong. It was great first at Ca Dao, then my favorite restaraurant Binh Dan (popular & cheap). It was great to feel all there warmth. Now I am listening to songs from the old country feeling nostalgic.

What a feeling. Anyway what great day and I want to thank all those involved, those mentioned above and not (you should know who you are) for making it special. Well anyway in the style of the 40oz quartet, I am drinking more beer and singing "I am just a drunk" in LX, AG, VN.