Couple on the Run: Good Morning Vietnam!

So, enter four tired travelers, weary from another crappy overnight bus onto the bustling streets of a Thursday morning in Ho Chi Minh City. We have no cash, or any real grasp of the currency in Vietnam, and are hustled off the bus into the waiting arms of taxi drivers crawling over each other to get any traveler coaxed into a ride to their lodging, at the expense of a zig-zagging, unsuspecting, meter-running, city street tour. We come to a stop, asked to get out, reassured that our hotel is a 2-minute walk down a one-way street, told our fare, and on our way. Once checked in, and cooled down with some A/C, I realize that I paid this guy $25 US, for a 10 minute cab ride, when our bus had dropped us off 1 1/2 blocks behind our hotel. ***Urgghh*** I had a bitterness for that taxi driver for the rest of our stay....maybe still I do.

Saigon, which is what most people still call it, had a lot to offer right out of the gate for us. The streets with large trees lining both sides provided much needed shade, and added to the beauty of the city. Parks and statues, cafes and restaurants filled every block, and city workers cleaning the streets! It really was a nice change from the Cambodian countryside from where we had come. We were staying along the road that was a true "backpackers haunt", so we were seeing more tourists than we had yet, and with them are the people haggling and pushing whatever they have to sell on you. We had all been so exicted to get into Vietnam for the food, and had been craving Pho, banh mi, and vietnamese coffee. So we set out to fulfill those needs.

Staying near the city center, most of the sights to be seen were within walking distance for us. With Eric and Michelle only having one full day left before they travelled home, we set out to tackle it all. By this time we are all no strangers to walking, for there has been many miles under foot so far, but it was hot. Really hot! We made our way through the "American War" museum ( a visit that was cut short due to their closing for a two hour lunch....Really? Katie and I finished this visit another day), the Notre Dame Cathedral, Post Office, Reunification Palace, Saigon Square, Bitexco Tower, and the main market at night for dinner. Unfortunatley for our travel companions, it was rushed, and was a very limited experience of Vietnam.

The next morning, they were off to the airport, and destined for the comforts of home; which at times I already catch myself wanting for. I couldn't have been happier to have our friends be part of this experience with us, and was saddened to see them leave. Thanks you E and Chelle!

We were on our own now, like it or not, for the long haul! We finished up some sight seeing, and were making plans to move on from Saigon. Just to find out we were in the midst of another national holiday! They seem to be following us. This was Vietnam's "Reunification Day", or "Independance Day". The day in 1975, that tanks of the Communist North stormed the gates of the palace in Saigon, for the purpose of uniting the country. Hmmmm. Anyway, everyone is off work, and locals travel all week, so hotels are all booked up, and travel prices are at least doubled. So we stayed put for the week. We took in a few more sights;went to the zoo, Chinatown, saw fireworks at the riverfront, went to the market a few times, napped in the afternoons......yep, that's it.

We got travels booked up, and were looking forward to our next beach destination, Mui Ne, North up the coast. Final thoughts on Saigon. Huge city, we saw a lot but at the same time nothing. Very modern, as far as Vietnam goes. Moto crazy! It takes a few tries, and some guts to learn how to cross the street. Best coffee so far, still in search of the best Pho! Bring me the beach.