It's official...I love Vietnamese food!

So last night I ventured back to my new favorite Vietnamese restaurant to try another delicious meal. I waved to the owners as I came in and they recognized me (probably thinking there’s that crazy girl again). She came over, said hello and asked if I wanted to try something different than last time.  I, loving this new adventurous side of me, happily accepted the challenge.

I went with this delightful dish called Bun Thit Nuong, or Grilled Pork with Vermicelli. My taste buds were swirling. The dish had grilled pork, veggies, green onions, peanuts and was all on top of vermicelli noodles. They even threw in a spring roll just for me! It also came with a side of sauce, which I assumed was for the spring roll. The owner came over (next time I’m in there I’ll be asking her name) and told me to take the sauce and pour it over everything and mix it up! I’m not sure if you remember but I’m a sauce-on-the-side kind of girl…but I just did it and OMG! SOOO GOOD! I LOVED IT!

And, here's the proof:

I can’t imagine what it’s going to be like having this food in Vietnam! So many different flavours to challenge my taste buds.

Just so you know, I haven't just been eating out. I've also been checking off tasks on my list of things to do! There are a lot of things to get done before our departure date mid February. Today I got my vaccinations (OUCH!) and travel insurance. I came home and felt even more excited so I surfed through the pictures on the CBT Vietnam facebook page. Seeing the images of the villagers, the friendships, the colours and the landscapes made me realize that these  little windows into experiences I never thought were possible, are possible! I keep having to tell myself that this is happening - an amazing opportunity that is so real I can taste it!

We can do anything we put our minds to! 

What are your dreams? Let's make them happen too!

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The beginning to a whole new world

It’s been over ten years since I’ve done any international travelling. Ten years! Well, it’s time for me to step out of my comfort zone, dust off my back pack, kiss my hubby goodbye and step into my next adventure; I’m going to Vietnam!  Okay, so maybe that’s a little dramatic for a 13 day trip but I’m excited!

Being selected as a volunteer on the CBT Vietnam Project is both one of the most exciting and terrifying opportunities I’ve ever had. The program is a partnership between PATA, Capilano University and Hanoi Open University focused on delivering sustainable community based tourism (CBT) to villages in the Sapa Region of Northern Vietnam. I’ve never travelled to Asia and getting familiar with Vietnamese culture is what everyone is telling me to do; research the history, familiarize myself with the geography, try the food, understand some of the language, learn all about this amazing CBT project. It’s a long list but I'm excited!

I have been having a hard time knowing where to start so I decided to start with what I love most: food! Some people eat to live but I live to eat! And, Vietnamese cuisine is one that I’m not familiar with in the slightest. 

A few nights ago I decided to take myself out for pho - a traditional Vietnamese soup. I went to this lovely restaurant a couple blocks from my house, Kim Penh Xe Lua Cambodian and Vietnamese Noodle House. My husband and I have gone there many times but we’ve always ordered the same thing, Vietnamese subs or banh mi! 

I told my waiter that I was traveling to Vietnam in a month and that I’ve never had pho before. I asked her what she thought I should try which isn’t something I normally do because as much as I’d like to be that person that just goes for it with their orders, it just doesn’t work for me because I'm picky. I can’t do spicy, can’t do dairy, don’t like mushrooms, sauce on the side...you get the idea. For those of you who have seen When Harry Met Sally, I’m a bit of a Sally when it comes to ordering! The waiter suggested the beef pho and, accepting this new courageous side of myself, I just went with the flow. 

Five minutes later she brings me a steaming bowl of soup with a side of greens and spring rolls. As soon as the bowl was placed in front of me the aromas hit and my senses were swirling. I had no idea what to do with the plate of sprouts, basil and lemon. Was there a special way to do it? I looked around in hopes I would see someone who, unlike me, actually knew what they were doing.  No one. I ended up just putting it all in the soup and it was AWESOME! The rice noodles, green onions, and the broth were delicious mixed with the sprouts, basil and lemon. How have I not had this before?

Tomorrow I will be returning to my new favorite restaurant, Kim Penh Xe Lua Cambodian and Vietnamese Noodle House, for some more culinary adventuring. Not sure what I’ll try next but I know it’ll be a first and I’ll be sure to let you all know how it goes!

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