There are many different travelers out here. Some like to see many places, leaving every day or two, watching the country appear and fade through the eyelids of window shades while speeding away on wheels or rails. Some like to fly, touching more ground while spending less time in yet in more expensive transit. And still some like to stop, festering in fewer places but for longer periods of time, in order to gauge a more authentic feel within each experience. I am this type of traveler. But,. It comes with the high price of not being able to see everything I had hoped. I suppose I have always been one to choose quality over quantity, and seeing Vietnam is no exception. Henceforth, I chose to bypass the famous mountain town of Dalat and waterfalls of Bon Me Tot in order to experience quality in Ho Chi Mihn. And, I am glad I did.
Saigon's flourishing arts scene made it's first impressions on me while sleep hung my lids low in these sunrise hours. I sat in a central park amongst the refreshing movements of the public lubricating their joints with tai chi, sword and umbrella martial art lessons, and shimmying and shaking themselves alive.
I was fortunate—a friend from home enabled me to experience this wonderful city from his humble home. The opportunity to experience the “real” city life, is one not easily passed up. Especially when my friend offered me the equivalent of my own room, with my own entrance, two bathrooms, and my own living room. As if that wasn't enough—he always met me on lunch breaks or after returning from work, to swoop me up and drive me around the glory emitted from the neon lights as the city lit up at night. As if that wasn't enough—he threw me some passes for free massages at a quality place he has been attending for at least 5 years. Scootin and Spain Saigon—I couldn't think of a better way to do it!
I always loved walking around the towns I was in, finding the wares within the shops and markets.
Vietnam's famous laquer artwork.
Lunch break for students at a city square.
Bubba Tea.
Mugshot.
MotoModel.
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Shrapnel Sculpture--Vietnam War Museum.
War Plane--Vietnam War Museum.
As close as I wanna get to a war helicopter--Vietnam War Museum.
Vietnam War image.
Tiger Cage & Vietnam War image.
Bikes.
Embassy.
Sailin' Shells.
On my last night, we ate dinner at a fine seafood bbq extravanagza of a place. Complete with live entertainment including karaoke, live music, flamenco dancing and yes...even ballet in high heels! What a send-off!
The sailing shells are fantastic! Love, Dad
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