Post Haste. (Not)

So I've been a little slack on the bloggery lately. A perfect storm of not much new going on (other than our lovely new granddaughter, who O. has covered very well), being incredibly busy at work, and working the logistics for our next big adventure: we leave Saturday for Saigon and Cambodia for a two-week, much needed vacation.

We're in the process of reassessing everything in the wake of Mirabel's birth. We want to move to Boise to help John and Emily, but we're worried about the economics of that move. We know we can make at least a little money here, and the idea of going back to hemorrhaging cash doesn't appeal. Also, though the emotional absence of family and friends is extremely difficult, the freedom and adventure of what we're doing is still immensely enticing. It's a dilemma. We have time to ponder this; we're committed to being here through mid-June. Then we'll see where we need to be.

This was a major week for me at VietSoftware. They've been trying to partner with a large American software company to help modernize one of the major local banks, but had been unable to interest anyone in the project (or even get anyone to return their calls). I was able to connect them with the right people at the company, and this week we had a meeting with the bank and the American company's top technical sales guy. The bank has agreed to fund a pilot program, so we're moving forward. This could be a huge opportunity for VSII, since they have connections at many of the local banks and telcos to replicate a successful program.

Saturday, we fly to Saigon and immediately connect on a flight to Phu Quoc, a small island between Vietnam and Cambodia. There I will dive and O. will loll on the veranda of our beachfront bungalow for four blissful days. Then it's back to Saigon to visit with our friends Colin and Natalie, who moved there from Hanoi at the beginning of this month. We've missed them, so we're really looking forward to seeing them again and exploring Saigon together. Then we go by coach to Chau Doc, deep in the Mekong delta, and catch a boat upriver to Phnom Penh. From there we take the bus to Siem Reap and Angkor Wat, a place we have dreamed of visiting for years. Our friends Justin and Jyoti just happen to be there at the same time, so that will be fun. We'll stay there and explore for a few days, then bus back to Saigon before we fly back to Hanoi.

We don't know if we'll be able to post much on our travels, but rest assured that many pictures will be posted as we can do so.

P.