Word for the Travel Wise (02/02/07)

If you’re going to head out to Vietnam during monsoon season you’ll need one of these, if not more…

Today’s word is a Vietnamese word used in Vietnam:

cái du – (gai zoo) umbrella

To continue learning Vietnamese online start with phrase list found at the NY Public Library. This Wanna Learn / Geocities page has some free words and phrases listed. It was one of few I could find online for free though you won’t get far. Rosetta Stone offers audio and web courses for a fee and there’s always the opportunity to take a Vietnamese language class in Hanoi, Vietnam with CIEE. For those flying through the country for just a few short days pick up the phrasebook.

Past Vietnamese words: Xe Ðap, xinh xinh, cam hut thuoc, tam biêt, bàn dô, phong giat (fom zuht), hành ly

Jasmine Lounge

As some of you may remember I am on the road touring for HP. While I’m working very hard out here in the Northeast I’m making sure I grab every opportunity possible to stay far away from chain restaurants to try the local and new tasty flavors. I do this mainly because I love getting the word out on good food as well as bad food on menus less explored, but also because it gives something to serve you here on Gadling. (Yes, I know – everything I do, I do it for you.)

My latest stop for lunch was at the Jasmine Lounge found in Wilmington, Delaware. The Zagat rated restaurant serves Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Vietnamese cuisines. When I drove by the first time all I spotted was Sushi so I had my mind set on a roll of Hamachi with scallion and some miso, although the Vietnamese dishes sounded extremely tempting too. Considering how I was on a late lunch break, the place was pretty quiet. There were a couple of patrons scattered throughout the large size restaurant and lounge. I soaked in the silence as I slurped down my miso soup. Something about the seaweed in this particular bowl was extra delicious. The Hamachi and scallion roll was equally tasty, though I’d have to say it didn’t knock my socks off. I also ended up ordering the house salad, which was okay, but the ginger dressing didn’t thrill me either. So my overall thoughts about the food – it’s good. There are tons of other items I’d love to come back and sample one day, but I don’t know what the chances of me spending time in Wilmington are like outside of work related reasons.

Anyhow, in the evening the restaurant turns into a lively lounge where people drop in for drinks, eats and after work gossip I’m sure. If you’re in Wilmington one day stop in to fill up and share your own thoughts.

Jasmine is located at 3618 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803. Ph. 302.479.5618. www.jasminelounge.com

Word for the Travel Wise (11/22/06)

It was the eve before Thanksgiving and some American was off abroad in a land where people spoke Vietnamese. They searched for turkey, but no one understood; they asked for gravy, but received phô instead and to make matters worse they were dirty from toe to head. If there was one word the poor tourist could remember it was the word for laundry place.

Today’s word is a Vietnamese word used in Vietnam:

phòng giat (fom zuht) – laundry place

To continue learning Vietnamese online start with phrase list found at the NY Public Library. This Wanna Learn / Geocities page has some free words and phrases listed. It was one of few I could find online for free though you won’t get far. Rosetta Stone offers audio and web courses for a fee and there’s always the opportunity to take a Vietnamese language class in Hanoi, Vietnam with CIEE. For those flying through the country for just a few short days pick up the phrasebook.

Past Vietnamese words: Xe Ðap, xinh xinh, cam hut thuoc, tam biêt, bàn dô

Word for the Travel Wise (07/28/06)

The other day while I was getting my eyebrows shaped I suddenly realized yet again how much of a melting pot America is and while travel abroad is dandy and all, that there is still a lot to learn from the people here. I believe all but eight words were spoken in the Vietnamese language by the staff around me. Hoping they weren’t talking about how out of control I let my bushy brows grow, I later requested some of their Vietnamese lingo knowledge for you guys here. I asked them what ‘to pamper’ or ‘to treat yourself’ would be in Vietnamese, but there was a slight debate on the word meanings there, so I stuck with the one listed below.

Today’s word is a Vietnamese word used in Vietnam:

tam biêt – (pronounced tam be-eh) good-bye

To continue learning Vietnamese online start with phrase list found at the NY Public Library. This Wanna Learn / Geocities page has some free words and phrases listed. It was one of few I could find online for free though you won’t get far. Rosetta Stone offers audio and web courses for a fee and there’s always the opportunity to take a Vietnamese language class in Hanoi, Vietnam with CIEE. For those flying through the country for just a few short days pick up the phrasebook.

Past Vietnamese words: Xe Ðap, xinh xinh, cam hut thuoc

Word for the Travel Wise (05/16/06)

After traveling the states these last few weeks and with several more to head through I’m amazed at how many places have gone completely non-smoking. There are more places than one might expect like the Argosy Casino in Lawrenceberg, IN which has an all non-smoking area. I wish something like this could be put into effect all over, but I’m sure this would make for just as many unhappy campers as it would for the happy group. I’ve never been to Vietnam or much of anywhere in Asia, but it’s one of those places that leaves me with the feeling that smoking goes just about anywhere. I could be wrong and in the event you’re there looking for a clean, smoke-free, air zone this one is for you.

Today’s phrase is a Vietnamese phrase used in Vietnam:

cam hut thuoc – no smoking

To continue learning Vietnamese online start with phrase list found at the NY Public Library. This Wanna Learn / Geocities page has some free words and phrases listed. It was one of few I could find online for free though you won’t get far. Rosetta Stone offers audio and web courses for a fee and there’s always the opportunity to take a Vietnamese language class in Hanoi, Vietnam with CIEE. For those flying through the country for just a few short days pick up the phrasebook.

Past Vietnamese words: Xe Ðap, xinh xinh