HO CHI NIMH CITY

MARCH 8TH

Sunrise on the Mekong River Old and new combined. The man on the bike, carrying his wares, is talking on a cell phone

A woman carrying her wares to sell. She has walked who knows how far with these heavy bundles on her shoulder

One of the pedicabs we took. The traffic is misleading. This was the only second of slow traffic so I could take the picture

New and old

Notice the no pedibike sign

That is more typical traffic. Much of the time we were stopped.

Very new. Hydrafoil.

March 8th

Saigon. Even tho yesterday some vets got together to talk about the war, coming to Vietnam is emotional. Duane awoke early to watch us come up the Mekong River. It was very difficult for him. We were both moved by being here. So many different emotions come into play, that I can't describe it. The people here are friendly and helpful. But....

(the but... has nothing to do with them, but with us.)

We took a shuttle into town, which, since we were unable to dock near the city (another ship got here first) we had a 45 minute ride to the city. Much of that time spent standing still. The traffic here is unbelievable. It is almost as bad as China. In some ways it is worse. There are less cars, but more motorcycles. The motorcycles do not follow any road rules. They go in either direction on a one way road, they ride on the sidewalks, when there are some, they turn left from the right, you name it they do it.

Crossing the street is a hairraising experience. I thought when we heard from a crew member last night, when she described how her family escaped from Vietnam after 3 tries, that the best way to cross a street is to close your eyes and go, I thought she was kidding. Now I think she is right. When you cross, you step out and keep walking and, somehow, everyone goes around you. I guess they don't want to hurt their bikes.

We walked from the expensive part of town, where we were dropped off, to see a church in the style of Notre Dame. It was ok. Interesting to see in southeast asia, but understandable after the French occupation. Then we walked to what they call Reunification Hall. It is where when the tank crashed through the gates of the former Presidential Palace, the Vietnamese war ended. Then we walked to Da Kao market and bought some stuff. It was surprising that they don't bargain there. "fixed prices" Not bad prices, but no fun. We bought silk robes, embroidered pictures and silk painted cards. (oh yeah, and fans)

It is very hot and humid here. We are now back in hot temperatures. (I know, you don't want to know that) It is very tiring to walk and travel and shop when you are dripping wet. So, we took pedicabs back to the shuttle pick up spot. Each bike took one person. They asked two dollars each for a 2 block ride and we said no, so they agreed to one dollar. It was exciting to be at car level in that traffic. It was scarey enough when we were in the bus, but on a bike, YIKES. When they dropped us off a couple of minutes later, they tried to get the two dollars. It didn't work.

Now back on the ship we have cooled off, gotten some food and now will get some rest before we sail out.