Les Go…

Isolation got me like…

Whoa. This shit is real. Each day I wake up to the same four walls, the same view from my window, the same loneliness. But, solace comes in solidarity. This is our global shared experience and we are all coping within the means we know how. So, Les Go: Quarantine Update.

Active, Active, Burnout

When I hit the divided soil that is the United States of America I hit the ground running. I hopped online to tutor and shared experiences with people around the world through their social distancing isolation. Through the illuminated screen I could sense their slight panic as nervous laughter seeped from their smiles. Aside from aggressively tutoring for hours on end I signed up for free Ivy League courses and started applying for jobs.

This was in the first week. Welcome second week. Well, fuck. I was burnt TF out. And not because I had done too much in the first week but because I was lonely. Reality was in my face and it was depressing. See, we are living in a pandemic. A fuckin pandemic with no World Leader. The gravity of that is too heavy sometimes. So the second week I slid down to the depths and very well balanced along insanity.

Birthday Isolation

But what did cheer me up was my birthday! I tried not to think that for my last birthday I was in Tokyo, Japan. The land of advanced technology and thinking. Where trash is out of site and the air is fresh as dew in the morning. As I turned 32 years old I stayed in isolation with my 70 year old dad in Milwaukee, Wisconsin during a world pandemic. It could have been worse. Thankfully me and my family still have our health.

I had a good ass time on my birthday, y’all. Technology is Goddess-sent, I’m telling you. It felt like I had a party all day. People were jumping in and out of the party from all over the world and country. Not to mention I received birthday songs and videos from those across the world. Ya girl was cheesin the whole day. Isolation birthdays aren’t that bad.

Adapt

Approaching three weeks, I’ve come to the realization that I must adapt. This is our reality for the foreseeable future. Do I miss human contact? Yes, unbelievably so. Do I want to give my Milwaukee peoples and family a hug? Of course. Can I? No. And this is what we will have to adapt to. All I can do is keep my body and mind active. Turn to creative channels and reach out to my loved ones at all times.

My New Reality – Quarantine Series

I am a few days away from turning 32 years old n I just moved back in with my Pops. I was literally just on the other side of the world livin my best life rompin’ round Hanoi. I was headed to Indonesia which was to be my home for the forseeable future. I had a boo thang whom I was vibin’ with. Life was good. Then COVID-19’s bitch ass showed up and ruined the party. So, Les Go Live With My Dad.

Check your Privilege

DISCLAIMER- I know I am privileged and I am checkin that shit on a daily. I realize that this pandemic is decimating people’s existence and lively hood way worse than mine. There are people who are dying and there are vulnerable and marginalized populations that don’t have the means nor the tools to combat this pandemic. There are complete nations that are too under resourced to even begin to tackle this shit. I realize that. I am jus using this blog space to talk about my experiences, not to play the world’s smallest violin n have a pitty party for one and by no means invalidating others real, life changing, life threatening realities due to this global pandemic.

Hello, Quarantine

I thought I had my shit together. As an introvert, I thought I liked being by myself. See, I do like being by myself but not when I’m back at my Dad’s house “living” here for the first time in 14 years. I literally was going stir crazy the first 12 hours in. So I got my priorities straight: setting my reading materials in order, organizing my yoga “studio” and coordinating my earrings, duh!

My dad has this attic that is every hipster’s dream. The amount of mom-jeans, acid washed jean jackets and windbreakers one finds up there could place any hipster in heaven. As an aspiring minimalist, I came back home with a half filled suitcase and one backpack. I literally have no winter clothes. Did I mention I’m in Milwaukee, Wisconsin now? Cold as shit all. the. time. So I went browsin upstairs and I found some gems including these apparently busted ass shoes. Nothing that a little elbow grease can’t fix.

Social Connecting During Social Distancing

Traditionally when I visit home I am booked with family and friends. If you’ve been around me for a short amount of time you’ll notice that fam is everything for me. Basically the only people I text are my sisters and I face-time with my dad twice a day. And my friends, Girl, my friends. I have a handful of friends and it is intentional. I love my friends dearly and accept them in all their glory. I go hard for my friends and get hype as shit when I get to see them.

For now, technology will have to suffice.

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All of these convos brought me joys specific to each relationship. For example, making a new song with a friend who is over 7,000 miles away and 12 hours time difference is a priceless experience that I honestly never thought I’d have.

Hearing my 6 year old niece talk about the book she is reading (a book about powerful African American women) overfilled my heart to the point I almost imploded. YES QUEEN, YES!

Laughing with friends and family during these new times through technology has been common for me as an expat but, this feels a little different.

I love me some got damn DURIAN! I mean, honestly, I’ve never been in love like this before. Every time I see it’s spiky flesh my heart flutters and my mouth waters. Jus as if I were to see my future wife walk through the door; Same same. Basically the main thing I’ll miss from South East Asia is Durian. Oh, Durian, you funky ass fruit, how I love you. So, Les Go Love Durian.

Our first date

Durian and I didn’t meet online like most millennials these days. We met the good ole fashion way; in person. I had hear about her savory ways from multiple people. She’s made her way ’round the block, if you know what I mean. From the moment I heard of her I knew I had to give her a try. I knew I loved her before I met her.

Durian is unlike any fruit out there. She reminds some people of rotten fruit or raw onions. For me, Durian brings immense happiness with jus a whif of her pungent odor. And don’t let her looks fool you. Underneath her hard exterior is a soft, sensitive inside. You jus have to get to know her in all her forms, good, bad, and the ugly.

I once almost moved my whole existence to Penang, Malaysia to be with Durian. In Penang they have Durian everything. Durian coffee, durian cheescake, durian pancakes. I mean, I could go on and on. I fell so hard in love she’s stuck with my ever sense. The first time I cut open my first whole Durian it filled me with a sense of accomplishment that I have yet to match.

Durian, I may be leaving you in this moment but we are stars-crossed lovers. I know where you come from and I will come back for you one day. Until then, kill them softly with your funky ass ways.

Goodbye Hanoi

It’s official. My time in Hanoi is ending. After two years, twenty-four months, this chapter of my life is closing. What a beautiful end it was. Due to COVID-19 I am leaving on a weird note on unimaginable feelings. So, Les Go Say Goodbye.

The Experience

There are few times in one’s life where you go through something and come out the other side a changed person. I can say from the bottom of my heart that I am leaving Hanoi a changed person. A literal completely different being than when I stepped off the plane two years ago. The changes have been subtle in forms such as how I look, how I’ve aged, and how I carry myself to profoundly deep in forms such as how I think, interact with humans around me and how I process experiences.

I don’t think I have the skill set to describe the depth of how much this place has changed me. Change can be painful as a mother sucker but it is necessary to grow as a person. Without Hanoi I would not be the woman I am today. It’s as if my soul has been fundamentally transformed just by a city.

Within this city I saw raw human interactions. I experienced unconditional connections that have ultimately projected me onto the trajectory to the rest of my future. I struggled through heartbreak that was at points unbearable. At times I experienced a level of anxiety that has undoubtedly brought me closer to understanding the true Tammy. I have challenged myself in ways that I NEVER would have thought I’d have the capacity to do and I survived.

This by far has been the most emotional leaving I’ve ever experienced. I’ve left so many former homes I’ve lost count. I’ve said bye to so many people I’ve become numb to it. This goodbye feels like I am leaving a part of my soul. Because I am no longer the Tammy from two years ago I feel like I am saying bye to my old self.

The Love Letter

Hanoi, I have mad love for you. I’ll always cherish:

The feeling of driving around after midnight and soaking in the stillness of the abandoned streets.

The distinct smell of fish sauce, moldy buildings, and boiled chicken that will propel me to the back alleys of my first flat where I lived with the most precious woman I’ve ever met, Mama Thuy.

The precise timing of the Government propaganda music that blasts every morning at 7:30 directly outside my apartment.

The flower market at 3am where you can find everything from glitter-sprayed tulips to sunflowers that will immediately die once getting home.

The endless back alleys where I’d find myself lost for an extra 40 minutes but was too entranced by the sights and smells to care.

Lastly, the .30 cent Banh Mi sandwhiches. All the hipster-hangouts trying to sell Banh Mi’s for $7 in the States can miss me with that.

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The Future

I’ve never been more afraid for the future as I am today. I know the steps that I am taking will change the course of my life from here on out. As my friend told me as she walked me through my fear and anxiety, when you’re taking the steps towards what you were really meant to do, fear will try to stand in the way. Here’s to bulldozing through fear and perservering.

Though my plans are put on hold, I believe in the Universe. I believe we meet people who we are suppose to meet, make experiences we are suppose to experience and the Universe will always guide you. Everyone is up in the air in these unprecedented times. I am thankful for my privileged stance to get my ass back to my country when I can be quarantined with my quirky-ass Dad. There’s always a silver lining, you just have to find it.

Dystopia. That is what it feels like all over the globe. I am trying to be an optimist, especially because I am actively trying to be the best version of myself but… DAMN! In order to combat this dystopic situation, my friend and I decided to take a short bike trip to the mountains in northern Vietnam to a town called Ninh Binh. So, Les Go to the Mountains.

Road Trip

I’ve been riding a motorbike around Hanoi for the past 8 months. It took me 365 days to get up the courage to do so and that is the one regret I have about my experience in Hanoi. I love riding around the city. I feel if you can master this and not go crazy then you can handle any life’s situations.

Ninh Binh is about 3 hours away via bike and this was my first bike trip outside of Hanoi! For some reason I was hella nervous. I was on the verge of panic but I had to remind myself how cool I looked with a guitar and yoga mat on my back. Mothersuckers thought I was doin shit, jus sayin’.

And the ride there, girl, bye! I thought it was gonna be all peaceful n shit. Oh, no. It was an industrial wasteland. This trip was so gloomy and chilly and my eyeballs felt like they were gonna fall out because of the dust. But jus as you think you can’t take anymore, you enter a small little city where the mountains peak through and the clouds break. Though you only have about 15 more minutes left of driving, the view is worth it.

Ninh Binh Closure

So, during this scary ass time of COVID everything is shut down. Which it should be. I think VN has been taking extraordinary efforts to curb a contagious ass new virus, so round of applause for that. When we arrived to Ninh Binh we were informed everything was basically shut down and surrounding the hostel an eerie presence was lurking.

To avoid people, we hopped on a bicycle and explored the misty surroundings. Oh yea, and did I mention my friend brought her boarder collie along? That lil guy was in his element as a free range explorer!

As we were roaming around a particular joint caught our eye. Graffitied signs highlighting “massage, haircuts, and local dirnks”… what’s this you say? The allure was too strong so we meandered down a muddy pathway to come upon a amalgamation of cultures that I honestly couldn’t wrap my head around. The hip hop influence touched this guy’s soul as he rocked his permed ‘afro’ and played lofi beats. Hey, do you, boo, do you.

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But all aside, this guy was a fuckin gem. His dimples warmed my heart and his passion for break dancing and interacting with humans on a raw level touched me. Bless him. And seeing as he was a jack of all trades, I let him cut my hair for the thrill of it!

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My Muse

I wish I were musically inclined. Passionate people give me life. I once set a resolution to learn to play the guitar. That was in 2016. Enough said. But, though I’ve never been musically inclined it seems as though if I’m with the right person I become enraptured in the moment. Maybe I’ve found my muse because in the last month we have written two songs together and I love every minute of it.

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As we were sitting looking at the mountains while writing songs (I must admit, by myself I can not write any bit of a song) the calmness engulfed me. I was trying to push the nerve wrecking times out of my thoughts when the whole damn health department swooped on the hostel that we were staying at. It was at this moment that I became scared. They were just doin health checks and precautionary measures but it’s still felt all too real.

I had plans, like us all. As an expat I have to think about visas, insurance, being away from home and family and feasibility of all of these factors. As I swallowed the lump in my throat, I knew that it was time to put a pause on my plans and come home. And so the Hanoi chapter ends, the Yoga Teacher Training pauses, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin life commences.

Train Travel

Train travel is my favorite mode of travel. It’s in my genes. My grandpa worked on the Burlington Northern Railroad and there was always train memorabilia scattered throughout my grandparent’s house growing up. I’ve traveled across the US multiple times via train and up to Canada. To wrap up my final two weeks in Vietnam I thought why not hop on a train along the coast? So, Les Go Train Hoppin.

Glorious Da Nang

This trip started out a lil funky due to COVID-19 virus. Let’s be clear, I planned this trip hella time before this outbreak. I am not one them millennials capitalizing on cheap airfare during a pandemic but, a bitch wasn’t gonna cancel her trip, either. Before boarding the plane both hostels sent a message saying they were in quarantine and to basically not stay anywhere near their location. That was reassuring. But, with proper precautions we were able to get 5-star hotels for the low!

Let’s take a moment to acknowledge Da Nang. I’ve already written about DN in the past but I love that place. It is perfect. It has a great balance of city, beach, river, “mountains”, forests, and chill. The people are nice AF. Like, so got damn nice. You know you’ve been in your wrong element when you gush every time a stranger acknowledges your presence an smiles. I must of said, “they’re precious” bout 100 times per day. And it’s clean. CLEAN!! I was seriously looking for trash and I could not find it. The beaches and streets are clean due to a concerted effort. This shit is intentional and thought out and I am here for it! I didn’t see a got damn person throw their trash on the ground, that is shattering compared to what I’ve seen these past two years.

Da Nang to Hue

The sole purpose of this trip was to link up with my dear friend one last time in VN and see bangin ass views from a train. One was accomplished more than the other. See, the train from Da Nang to Hue glides along the coast and bends along “cliff” sides. It’s magical if you’re sitting on the correct side of the train. But, when some stranger takes your seat and is so engrossed in their reality of their cell phone the whole time sometimes you’ve jus gotta accept that defeat. But I was still able to poke my big ole head into another window seat at times.

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The logistics of getting the train are super simple. We used this site which was shockingly accurate. The trains run pretty frequently and maybe it was because of the virus but, if wasn’t hella crowded. To get to Hue it takes about 3 hours. Not gonna lie, I slept for most of the way because train travel jus lulls me to sleep like a baby.

(Not so) Glorious Hue

See, I don’t know what I was thinkin of when I thought of Hue. Maybe it’s the cute lil name or the beautiful google images one sees when they look up Hue but, I was not impressed. It was kinda the opposite. The driving and mannerisms reminded me a little too much of big-city Hanoi for comfort. Funnily enough, I’ve been living in Vietnam for 2 years and I’ve never been propositioned to buy marijuana. Well, I guess I jus needed to go to Hue because every got damn grab driver was slangin. Felt like I was back living in Baltimore or some shit.

And the food. Oh my. I like to be adventurous when I travel and I think eating local cuisine is so important. I find food can give you so much insight and I love how it makes local people proud to shine through their food. So, I thought it was a good idea to order “tapioca shrimp”. It was classified as a Hue dish and though it didn’t sound too appetizing I thought, ‘what the hell!’

I should have thought again. I tried, y’all. I tried. But damn I couldn’t even get through one. The texture was like, you may guess, tapioca and the shrimp was a shriveled little guy that lacked all flavor. I felt hella bad because you know they worked hard on this. It’s def an art form but maybe I jus don’t have the eye to appreciate the art.

Vibes

After exploring a little bit through Hue we were eager to get back to chill ass Da Nang. Da Nang is vibey. That is my word for it. Once we reoriented back to Da Nang all the good vibes were with us. We capitalized on that shit. People who spend time around the ocean jus have an energy that exudes out of them. The most powerful, profound force, the ocean, vibrates this energy into everyone that comes in contact with her. For instance, we happened upon an eclectic ass little cafe which opened us to have thoughtful convos with French yogis who jus exuded positive energies.

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As my friend boarded his plane back to Ho Chi Minh City I had proper time to reflect. I honestly feel life is beautiful. Sometimes it overwhelms me with emotion how profound this life is. Yea, there are vast amounts of traveling I want to do but, the human connections is what I yearn for. The deep relationships formed along that way is what drives me.

I am in the homestretch. I have four weeks left in Hanoi. Four weeks and my entire reality will be drastically changed. Four weeks and I am leaving all that I’ve known for two years. Within these four weeks I’m gonna do all the things. Including debauchery because I am shamelessly hung over AF right now after coming home at 5am. I am adulting, leave me alone! So, Les Go: The Final Countdown.

Life in the time of Corona

I live in Asia, y’all. This Corona virus shit is real. Real ridiculous… For the past 4 weeks all schools have been closed in Vietnam. Now, I’m not a teacher so fortunately I still have work but these folks are out here strugglin! With all this free time on everyone’s hands I have seen some beauty come out of it. Firstly, women are amazing. I love being in women-centered spaces and surrounding myself in their presence. With that being said, in the time of Corona I feel women in Hanoi have really been coming together. For example, I have two women who have opened their homes to hold yoga sessions and it literally gives me life. What beautiful souls.

Practicing Socializing…

If you know me, like really know me, you know my comfort zone is calm morning times with coffee and a book. Alone. Or with one person. I don’t wanna say I’m antisocial, I can be nice AF if needed but, I am introverted and random social acts give me slight anxiety. But, in this process of actively being the best version of myself I have been social times 10. It helps that I found an amazing group of queer woman that literally welcomed me with open arms. Like mentioned, women are amazing.

I’ve also been practicing for my first open mic. Yup, the introvert is doing open mic. I’ve wanted to since I got to Hanoi and this seems like the perfect time. Of course I’ll be accompanied by a very talented musician who will easily make us look good. It’s amazing what happens when you find the right people at the right time.

You’re either doin something right or something terribly wrong if you end up at the flower market at 4am. Well, les jus say that happened to me last night and I was def doin something right. And can we take a moment to acknowledge the fuckin insanely delicious food that the flower market has. Ok, maybe I was a little drunk but got damn!

Puppy Cafe

To nurse my hangover and to force me to get out of the house I ventured to a neighborhood puppy cafe today. It is as good as it sounds. Oddly enough they chose to lay the faux grass throughout the cafe. I legit saw a puppy take a dump right on the “grass.” It warranted a solid chuckle.

My goal for these last four weeks is to live in every moment. In the present. I should have been doing this but it’s never too late. Hanoi is a funky ass place that has really been wrapping around my heart. It may help that I see my end, my exit strategy morphing in front of me or that I am surrounding myself with positivity but whatever it is, Hanoi, keep it up.

Hanoi is an urban jungle if I’ve ever seen one. It’s loud, dirty, polluted, congested and crowded. If you’re in it for nature well then you’re barking up the wrong tree. But at the same time, Hanoi is magical, beautiful, tantalizing and fascinating. I’ve heard about Banana Island and it’s charms for some time now but life always got in the way of me venturing down there. It sadly took me two years to basically go explore my own back yard but I’m so glad I did. This nature oasis is exactly what I needed on this polluted day. So, Les Go to Banana Island.

First les have a magical morning…

After climbing out of a shit start to 2020, I’ve been all about self-love and being the best version of myself. I truly feel like I am living for myself for the first time in my life. I am taking chances on myself, getting to know myself, and making decisions that will honestly fill my soul. I am livin my truth and I am here for it.

Part of that journey involves going to therapy/having a life coach. I.love.it. My therapist, Nomie – CBT practioner and Life Coach, is everything. I attended my last session this morning and my soul feels fortified. I wish I had discovered the powers of therapy years and years ago, but it is never too late. After this last session my conscious felt cleared and I knew that it is OK to live for me, to validate myself and not look to others for this. These therapy sessions have been one of the main components on my journey for self love. If only mental health services were affordable and readily available back home. Imagine that…

Explorin’

After my therapy session I knew I had to keep the positive vibes up so I ventured to this bright ass kafe that has been intriguing me for years. From the outside it screams, “I’m here, I’m queer” but on the inside it jus gets real weird real quick.

The ambiance was giving me fantasy play and my grandma’s house. The music, slow jazz, was the absolute oddest choice you’d ever find with this setting and there was a distinct gramma’s house smell thoughout the entire kafe. Maybe the smell was trapped in the oddly layed faux-grass carpet.

I rarely walk around these days and that is a crying shame. I made it a point to explore my favorite neighborhood in Hanoi, Truc Bach, and can we jus take a moment?!

Banana Island

So, Banana island is this natural oasis that is hidden in plain site in the belly of Hanoi. To get there you have to hug the railing of the glorious Long Bien bridge as motorbikes, bikes, tourists and a random train whiz past you. Endearingly so, my friend’s dog was having a tough time mastering this task.

Once you slide down a step passage off the side of the bridge you are magically transported to another world. The nature along the pathways engulf you and suddenly it is quite. Down in the realms of Banana Island strangers actually smile at you. Just about every stranger I passed smiled in all their glory. It was a profound statement that’s hard to find in Hanoi.

It’s almost urban legend of the nudist colony on Banana Island. Yes, you read that correctly. There is a vibrant and healthy nudist colony of men that exercise and socialize along the river of Hanoi. I thought in the best case scenario I’d see a few stragglers from the colony and that’s it. I was so wrong! They were out there today in all their birthday suit glory. It’s not every day that you see a group of stark naked Vietnamese men playing badminton. Oh, and they invite you to drink tea. I politely declined. If that is the last memory I have of Hanoi I’d be completely OK with that.

After spending hours free roaming the Banana Island (which I saw no actual island…) it was time to come back to reality. As I emerged to the traffic, pollution and horns of Hanoi I realized the Universe always knows and you get back what you put in. I’m putting all my self-love and positivity out there and the Universe is sending it all back. I am ready for it.

I am a bibliophile. I said it. I love me some books. If I don’t have a book on my person it is panic inducing. If I carry “purses” they have to be able to fit a book, period. Gift me the right book and you’re halfway to my heart. It’s that easy, ladies ;). Luckily, Hanoi is littered with cafes and reading nooks that could fill several months of soul searching. So, Les Go Read a Book.

Reading is cathartic for me. It’s an easy escape that allows my mind to be challenged in ways that most conversations can’t. When people come to me with ignorant ass questions such as, “When did you decide to be Lesbian” (it’s true, I got asked that the other day and almost spit my Hanoian black coffee in their face) I find myself responding with the only logical thing I know: Read a fuxkin book, damn.

In middle school I used to get hype AF about the book fairs. I remember 7th grade summer I tracked all the books I read and my goal was to read 35 books. I exceed that goal. Shit was real and shit continues to be real. I am a reader and I love it.

My spot

I love chill settings, chill people, chill music and chill lighting. Which is funny because I can be the most un-chill person ever sometimes. I guess that’s why I need that shit to balance me out. My all time favorite place to read is Tranquil Books and Coffee. I go here to decompress. As the name states it’s Tranquil AF. It is their policy that while in the cafe you have to speak quietly. How pleasant is that. If I’m ever MIA in Hanoi after a stressful day you can basically bet that I’m here.

They even have a book map! For me it doesn’t matter what language the books are in I jus love being surrounded by books. Period.

Bookstores

If I’m looking to browse books the best selection in Hanoi comes from The Bookworm. They’re pretty expensive for Hanoi standards but hey, get yo money.

Their selection of books is decent and I appreciate the amount of books on Hanoi/Vietnam they provide. I have a pretty specific genre that I tend to lean towards. I am all about Critical Race Theory. I could geek the fuck out over Michelle Alexander and Angela Davis all day. That genre is near impossible to find here but I have read hundreds of astounding books since my time in Hanoi so no complaints on my end.

I consciously choose authors that will challenge me and push me to critically think. I went a whole decade (basically) exclusively reading women authors (started consciously, morphed into subconscious preference). There is no lack of the cis-gendered, white male’s POV out there. I’ll let someone else read them. I deeply appreciate my guy Chris’ book reviews at Ploughshares. If I had access abroad to the books he flawlessly reviews I’d read every one.

Temple of Literature

After a solid 3 weeks of shit weather, Hanoi finally got it together. The first warm day sprung upon us (by warm I mean muggy as shit but I love it) and I knew I had to be out in them streets. Hanoi is sprinkled with Pagodas and Temples. It’s part of the charm of the city. One temple that I’ve particularly had interest in visiting is the Temple of Literature. People come here before big exams to give offerings or when they graduate from school. That idea alone warms my heart.

The Temple its self is expansive. There are a few ponds that one could sit and read all day and the greenery alone could keep me there for a few hours. Maybe my mind was playing tricks on me but, I swear the air was fresher the moment I stepped in the Temple.

As I prepare for my next destination, my next adventure, I realize I am starting a completely new book in my life, fuck starting a new chapter. I could not be more excited to begin that book.

Tiny Music Club

If anyone spends time ’round me in my comfort zone you know I love me some NPR Tiny Desk series. Lately I’ve been stuck on Lizzo’s Tiny Desk. Like, at least thrice a day type stuck. I love the idea of intimate settings to listen to live, soulful music. Luckily there’s a gem of a spot to experience this in Hanoi. So, Les Go to Live Music.

Dedication

Let me paint ya a picture. Hanoi gets cold. Seriously. Cold. I was so committed to getting out the house and seeing this show that I drove on a motorbike in the rainy ass weather in no rain coat with no proper ass got damn shoes with droplets smackin my eyeballs while literally screaming out loud. I am from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I know some cold but there is nothing that I hate more in this universe than cold. And to top it off, my house has no heat and the breeze jus swoops in at night and spoons me.

The Venue

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I remember the first time I came upon The Hanoi Social Club I was in love. There’s a rainbow flag painted outside on the ground, a rainbow flag on the welcome door and rainbow flags strung along the ceiling. I mean, hello! I’m here, I’m Dyke… that’s me! Not only does this place have decent food but the music shows they have on the roof top is just the absolute perfect, cozy ass escape you need in this city.

The Music

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When I saw that this was going to be Salas the artist’s last show in Hanoi I knew I had to go. When I first arrived to Hanoi I went to The Mad Botanist (a fantastic cocktail lounge that over looks the main church downtown) and this artist happened to be performing that night. Understand, I had jus spent two years of my life in a Spanish speaking country so when I heard his smooth Spanish lyrics flowing from his soul I was hooked. My heart melted.

I’ve seen him several times after that and each time his sound touches a cord within my soul. It brings me back to the rooftop sipping cocktails and to my first enrapture of Hanoi.

Accompanying him was a duo called Tiny Giants. They played some experimental, incense burning music and I was here for it. Also, I had mad earring envy.

If it’s the only thing you do in Hanoi on a Tuesday night I’d recommend Tiny Music Club. It makes me realize that there are an endless amounts of beautiful souls out there and I want to connect with them all.