lirelou
Introduction
Retired American with 21 years of living abroad in Latin America and Korea. Speak English, French, Spanish, basic Vietnamese and some Portuguese. Former military officer, attorney, and civil servant. Served with a Special Forces team at Dien Khanh, near Nha Trang for five months, then as an advisor to the Biet Kich Quan / Tiep Ung at Pleiku. Wife is from Hau Giang province in the Delta. We visit VIetnam every two years, more often when we lived in Korea. I have written one historical novel which has several scenes set in Nha Trang, and am finalizing a novel set in the Seven Mountains region of the Delta.
I joined expat.com on 16 September 2013.
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lirelouposted on the thread New members of the Vietnam forum, introduce yourselves here - 2019
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lirelouposted on the thread NO Daylight Savings Time in Vietnam
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lirelouposted on the thread How is Quy Nhon as a place to live as a retiree
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lirelouposted on the thread Expat proposing to move to Nha Trang in Vietnam
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lirelouposted on the thread I just want to know what vietnamese people think.
Expat experience
Home was a far on a hill overlooking the Guanajibo Valley between San German and Cabo Rojo. It was my dream to return here, but no Vietnamese. Wife was very lonely.
Late afternoons and evenings looking across the valley at the Cordillera Central from my veranda.
It had changed so much since my Uni school days, and not for the better.
Working up projects with Panamanian and other LATAM governments. This was my third assignment toPanama
The beaches, mountains, festivals, people, food, music, travel to all LATAM nations except Chile.
Worked in U.S. Embassy on Reforma. Traveled from San Miguel Allende to Zihuatanejo, Acapulco, Huatulco, Oaxaca, Puebla, Veracruz, Tequisquiapan, and Cuernavaca as well as D.F. ANd yes, Teotijuacan.
Mexico as a nation state sucks. But Mexicans as a people are one of the wonders of the earth! Great food, great music, great times, wonderful friends. I did get to see Cameron, where the Foreign Legion legend was born.
Mexican coffee is a poor cousin to Latin America coffees, and far less tastier than fresh Vietnamese brew.
Worked for the Joint Special Operations Command.
Extensive travel in Latin-America ranging from a week to a month. Great place to stay in shape. Worked with the very best the U.S. military had to offer.
Never much personal time off. Wife had to travel to Vietnam alone.
Directed U.S. Army exercises and operations in the region.
Extended travel to all countries except Chile. Learned Portuguese (and Portagnol) to intermediate level. Took my son to Bolivia, Uruguay, Argentina, and Rio. Saw many old friends.
The Panama Crisis, very sad for everyone involved.
Attended French Army Parachute course and visited French Infantry School.
Great food, great locations, great comradeship, and an interesting look at a very different Army. Met several French officers with Vietnamese last names.
Having to leave.
Advisor to Vietnamese light infantry companies and reconnaissance platoon.
Wonderful people, beautiful setting, good food.
The war was a bit of an inconvenience.
