Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Brotherhood

Despite all the people that come through this town, you can generally identify the cliques that start to form. Over time, people begin to be remembered by the group they keep company with. Sure there’s a crossing of paths, an exchange of greetings, or even the merging of certain clusters but more times than not, you sort of find yourself sticking with the same group of people you mesh well with. And here we are, this band of thieves who enjoy the finer things in life together, rubbing people the right and wrong way.

You know you're a local when...

#28 you do your thing on the public toilet and use the time to talk business or carry conversations to catch up with friends.  Since most restrooms don't play techno or house music this void is easily filled with your mobile phone, for your own personal appreciation of techno and house as well as others using the toilet and restroom.

SP

10 Essentials : John Ho

Every famous band/group has a "best of" or "essentials" album,  a collection of songs that complete the image and feeling of the band/group.  My personal favorite is "Smith's Best I," and firmly believe that every track on that album belongs there.  Being in a different environment here in Vietnam , I too have developed my own essentials, a list of things that maintain my sanity. Sure most of my items can be sourced in Vietnam, but I wouldn't trust shoddy/low quality goods with my mental health.  Without these seemingly "normal" things in my life I would probably go bonkers and try to strangle the next motorist that cut me off.

You know you're a local when...

#27 a river that basically serves as an open sewer seems like an inviting place to enjoy coffee and beverages.  Plastic chairs and tables set up in the dirt next to this river merely add to the festive atmosphere.  

SP

You know you're a local when...

#26 you can nap ANYWHERE!  On the motorbike, middle of a busy restaurant, near garbage, hazardous construction zones.

SP

Honey I'm Going to Singapore.....

Whenever I hear that phrase it always raises suspicions about the true identity of my female friend. To any person not-in-the-know it sounds like a pleasant vacation, which it could be. But over the course of 20 months here in Vietnam,  I've heard numerous accounts from local verified-pros and close confidants the reasons behind "vacationing" in Singapore. Local sources and many news articles suggest that Vietnamese local women travel to Singapore to make quick money(1000USD-15000USD) because it requires no visa.

10 Essentials: Si

Inspired by GQ, we bring you 10 favorite things from each of the members in the house.  For our first installment, we ask Si what things he can't live without in Saigon.