Arriving in Ho Chi Minh City
Trip Start
Oct 26, 2007
1
7
23
Trip End
Nov 17, 2007
Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
We made it into Viet Nam. The noise, the fumes, the scooters. the traffic.. ( please never let me complain about Raleigh Durham or Charlotte traffic again)
We got in about noon, found a travel cafe and made our plans for this lap of our journey..
Amy hooked up with some cyclo drivers(rickety bicycles with a seat on the front and a rider pedaling in back)and for $10 or $150,000 dong they took us on a wild ride through the streets of Saigon.. My driver pointed out the US embassy with guards and barricade posts all around and then showed me across the street the Indian embassy with no guards or barricades... We stopped at the post office, very beautiful, apparently built by the French many years ago
Amy and her cyclo
. and Notre Dame church across the street. a lot of French influence in the city. We visited a small Buddhist temple and a lacquer factoryRiding around on a cyclo is very harrowing... Traffic is coming at you from all directions and a big bus will be right behind you .. The best thing is to pretend you at\re in no danger at all ...
.. Elaine 2 things... NO I have not used a squatter yet.... Amy's niece Carley , who is staying with them and teaching English to 20 classes a week, says she has to take one leg out of her pants so she can get her legs far enough apart to be able to go.... I have feeling I will have to do the same.. What a balancing act that will be....
and 2 at the lacquer factory a Gustav Klimt influence was very evident .. The Kiss was everywhere and you know it is one of my favorite paintings... The piece I really like was a small chest with that painting on the front but $800 US was a bit too much...
Tomorrow a tour of Chu Chu tunnels and the War Remnants museum.
Love to all this is an adventure
Comments
Hi guys
Linda what an experience. I'm lovin following your trip. I know you and Amy are having a great time. I don't think I would be good at the squatters, all I can say to you is hang in there. Off to Florida tomorrow. My best to Amy and Steve.
The Wires!!
I am not surprised at all that those caught your attention...they were always one of the first things you comment on in any neighborhood. But these things...woeeee looks scary... did the lacquer factory smell, that is what I kept thinking. amazing to see the different types of working conditions. Love the- just go with it and pretend there is no bus behind me. Enjoying the tour and photos!!
Great photos
Pictures are amazing! For god's sake, don't fall on, in, or near the toilet :) Sounds like riding the bicycles are quite a cardio work out and you don't even have to pedal. Will stop by this week to check on the kitties.
Joyous journeys!
Cat
WOW....all the codes
I'm trying to wrap my mind around all of the ecodes surrounding you at every turn :-) Careful of the squatters, cyclos and electric wires! I'm glad you're having fun. Sounds like an awesome trip. Keep posting pictures and blogs. You know I live vicarously through my worldly friends! Stay safe and enjoy! Debra
Great to hear from you
Good times.......How about some pictures of YOU too!! We need some people pictures. Lots of love.
T-N-T
And another thing
Looks like those workers at the lacquer factory would use the squatter toilet. it must be comfortable. I look forward to hearing about your experience! too bad the lacquer klimt was 800 but I agree that is a lot...
WOW
What a great time you are having. I am totally envious. It doesn't look anything like my pictures exploring this lovely State of North Carolina.