Mikey Travels Lightly

36 hours in Saigon

VIETNAM | Saturday, 7 November 2009 | Views [42] | Comments [3]

After 24 hours of traveling I have been quite happy to be on the ground. My flights went well 19 hours of flying was much easier than expected. I met a vietnamese man on the flight from seattle to seoul, which was a fortunate introduction to bridging communication barriers. Tuan has lived in oregon for 15 years and is visiting family in Saigon. I may get together with him tonight.

I have heard Saigon referred to as an organized chaos and completely agree with this definition. A city of 4.5 million; there may be 5 million motorbikes. I now know that i am safe crossing the street and at times find it amusing... but my belief that i am safe does not stop the release of adrenaline when i curl my toes or clutch my hands together to avoid the onslaught. I feel mildly sick- noise, smells, the desperate need of so many people, jet lag, carbon monoxide, heat and humidity are among the causes. I am sure it will pass. I cannot drink enough water.

Drinking coffee is an adventure, if you have a window seat: 110 cc motorbikes carrying- 1)about 30 gallons of vegitable oil in 5 gallon containers 2)twelve to fifteen 4x10foot pieces of drywall and a bundle of metal shielding for wiring 3)a family of five 4) a golden retriever- paws on handlebars, the could go on forever.

I walked all day yesterday, watching everything. Everything is for sale... i guess thats communism for you... I say no before i know what i am being offered. I say no constantly. I just remembered my dads method- speak hawaiian. The vietnamese-english language barrier does not dissuade anybody. I said yes to some great pho (rice noodle soup)yesterday for breakfast, Bill Clinton had eaten there, oddly enough. I have enjoyed everything i have eaten so far.

I plan on slowing down today and wandering through museums. I will ride more motorbikes today. I will pay no more than 15,000VND. I will not make the blisters on my feet any worse.

Thank you to Dr. Brandy Web for instilling in me a perfectly rational fear of nematodes and helminths, and the knowledge that lesions on the feet are a common port of entry for a variety of parasites. 90 degrees ought not be sock weather. :)

Comments

1

i love the picture you're painting! please keep taking the time to document your adventure, & thanks so much for sharing it. lots of love - T, E, & J

Tara Nov 7, 2009 3:23 PM

2

You make the scenes come alive. Thank you for sharing this with us.

In Thailand we also saw families of 5 on a motorbike. Families of 6 on a single bike were very rare.

Your coffee shop sounds like a window on the world.

Keep enjoying your adventure!

Pete & Karen

Pete Nov 9, 2009 7:30 AM