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Meeting the team, Vietnamese food, and shopping

No pictures from today, but I had a really good day. Ate a nice buffet breakfast at the hotel restaurant, then got to the office around 9 AM via taxi. Today was extra special to me because I finally got to meet all of the team members that I only knew by name. I got to know them a bit better and they got to know me. I tried to give a welcome messege in Vietnamese in our team meeting and I think I did okay. They at least acted like they understood what I was trying to say. I've been studying Vietnamese for about 2 months now and it's fun to try it with my Vietnamese coworkers. I don't think I've ever been so nervous speaking in front of a group. Tu, our QA Manager, volunteered to help me learn more while I am here.

We had lunch at a Vietnamese restaurant near the office and we split three dishes; fish soup, cubed beek, and beef kabobs, which was really slices of beef. It was all very good. You are served a little dish of a salt, pepper and lime mixture that is quite good and seasons the food well.

On the way back to the hotel from work we went to the Saigon Square market, which is an outdoor shopping market. The prices are unbelievably good and I was able to pick up several Christmas gifts. Can't tell you what I got because that would spoil the surprise.

After that we headed to the hotel to drop our bags and headed to a microbrewery for dinner. We had french fries, sliced pork (like our deli ham), and shrimp spring rolls for an appetizer. We then split grilled pork, Vietnamese beef and sauted shrimp for dinner. Sharing the meals seems to be the custom here.

Kevin (an FCG employee here for another project) and I dropped Scott off at the hotel and headed back out to the markets. Unfortunately they were all closed, which surprised us. Kevin and I went for a beer at the Rex Hotel before heading back to the hotel. I'm liking Saigon more and more given it's diverse offerings and environment.

I hope to snap some pictures tomorrow to share with everyone.

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