Bia Hoi Corner, Hanoi (by jacquesofalltrades)
Whenever I think I’m carrying a lot on my bike, I remember our trip to Vietnam, and it shifts my perspective.
Grains, well-packed (by jacquesofalltrades)
After a recent Yelp! hiatus, I returned to the game today with a quick review of Sprig & Sprout, the new “Viet-American” spot in Glover Park.4 Stars (though I’d probably give it 3-1/2, given the option).
3-1/2 stars, for nice addition to the neighborhood! We stopped in last week after they’d only been open for a few days. I had the pho with eye round, and the broth was quite delicious (particularly when I sriracha’d it up to my liking). We also had the vegetarian egg rolls, which were fine, but not amazing.
It’s great for a fast meal, though I’m not sure how it travels if you take it to go. While we were in there, though the tables and counter seats turn over fairly quickly. The prices are higher than what you’ll pay at a “numbered” Pho restaurant, but certainly reasonable/competitive with other quick dining options in Glover Park, and worth a visit, particularly on a cold night.I’m looking forward to going back and trying the banh mi!
One Downside to Bicycle Commuting: Biker’s Lung
If you bike to work, you’ve probably got pretty nice thighs. Your lungs, though, may not be in such great shape.
New research has found that bicycle commuters inhale more than twice the amount of black carbon particles as pedestrians making a comparable trip. That healthy bike ride to and from work might be getting you out of a car, but it’s not getting you out of the way of the automobile emissions.
The study, led by Professor Jonathan Grigg from Barts and the London School of Medicine, looked at bicycle and pedestrian commuters in London to determine whether different modes of travel exposed commuters to higher levels of black carbon. By comparing levels of carbon in the lungs of five healthy bicycle commuters to the levels of five healthy pedestrian commuters, the researchers found a large disparity. The bicycle commuters had 2.3 times more black carbon in their lungs. They claim that the probability of this happening by chance is less than one percent.
Read more at The Atlantic Cities
When I started bike commuting full-time in June and July, I realized that seasonal allergies started getting worse, and soon figured out that sucking in car (and occasional bus) exhaust was probably not helping, especially when combined with the humidity of a DC summer.
The conditions improve as the air cools, but I have also made some route modifications to try to lower my exhaust intake levels. While making some of these behavioral changes, I’ve also considered (though not yet acted on) the idea of learning from millions of masked Vietnamese motorbike operators, and filtering out some of the exhaust before it hits my nose and mouth.
(photo via ottworld)
(via jasencomstock)
American In Vietnam of the Day: Why did Mike Beatty cross the road in Ho Chi Minh City? I have no clue, but clearly insanity played a major part in his decision to do so.
Oh, and the Frogger remix you were about to ask for is below:
[biotv.].
This was totally our experience in Hanoi, with the ultimate realization that the only way to cross the street is to just step out into traffic and keep moving. (If you’re waiting for a full break in traffic, it will never arrive).
(Source: thedailywhat)
Up the stairs, into the day.
(This photo is actually from a visit to a Buddhist temple in Vietnam, but the imagery felt right for Easter).
Nicolas Cage, with a mysterious full head of hair, was hawking watches on the side of this Hanoi building.
(Scenes from Jacques and Liz’s Asian Adventure)
(Silk) Flowers for Sale — Hanoi, Vietnam, 1/2011
(Scenes from Jacques and Liz’s Asian Adventure)
