Well, it was a fabulous experience and a wonderful trip. I am sad this will be my last post (although I will updating with some photos when I arrive home). I am awaiting my flight back home. It will be a long one.
I arrived back in HCMC yesterday around 7:00 pm. I had a dress fitting at 8:00 pm (I had a wool/silk blend suit and a silk dress with matching jacket made) and then had plans to meet up with Juliana around 8:30 pm. We started off at a place called Mojo on Dong Khoi Street (near my hotel downtown in District 1). I never drink beer - I don't like it but there is something about a cold beer in a hot humid country! We went to dinner at a quaint restaurant (Alibi) with outdoor seating and then to a pub. It was a nice night.
We also met up today around 11 am (of course I was up early and shopping at 9am before our meeting to get a little more shopping in being it was my last day) and went to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. It is always interesting to see museums in a communist country. There was a lot of war memorabilia and of course there was some mention about the US involvement. We also did some shopping, drank beer and had lunch and drank more beer. I took a Tuk Tuk back to the hotel and packed my bags.
Things I have learned about Ho Chi Minh City:
1. The non communist party call HCMC Saigon. You don't want to called HCMC Saigon when speaking to an official of the government.
2. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way for any reason. Crossing the street is an art. Never show fear or hesitation-just run like hell or you will get run over. They are crazy drivers and there appears to be more motorbikes and bicycles then cars.
3. It is a shoppers Mecca and I mean Mecca and there is nothing better then naming your own price-bargain like crazy and if they won't go that low then no worries because 10 other shops sell the same stuff.
4. There is no Starbucks or Peets Coffee. However, there is a Gloria Jeans and Highlands Coffee (who are they???)
5. There really is no middle class-you are either rich or poor and a monthly salary for many is $200 a month.
6. It is really, really hot here too.
7. One of the friendliest country's to visit. The people are wonderful and I also felt very safe here.
I arrived back in HCMC yesterday around 7:00 pm. I had a dress fitting at 8:00 pm (I had a wool/silk blend suit and a silk dress with matching jacket made) and then had plans to meet up with Juliana around 8:30 pm. We started off at a place called Mojo on Dong Khoi Street (near my hotel downtown in District 1). I never drink beer - I don't like it but there is something about a cold beer in a hot humid country! We went to dinner at a quaint restaurant (Alibi) with outdoor seating and then to a pub. It was a nice night.
We also met up today around 11 am (of course I was up early and shopping at 9am before our meeting to get a little more shopping in being it was my last day) and went to the Ho Chi Minh City Museum. It is always interesting to see museums in a communist country. There was a lot of war memorabilia and of course there was some mention about the US involvement. We also did some shopping, drank beer and had lunch and drank more beer. I took a Tuk Tuk back to the hotel and packed my bags.
Things I have learned about Ho Chi Minh City:
1. The non communist party call HCMC Saigon. You don't want to called HCMC Saigon when speaking to an official of the government.
2. Pedestrians DO NOT have the right of way for any reason. Crossing the street is an art. Never show fear or hesitation-just run like hell or you will get run over. They are crazy drivers and there appears to be more motorbikes and bicycles then cars.
3. It is a shoppers Mecca and I mean Mecca and there is nothing better then naming your own price-bargain like crazy and if they won't go that low then no worries because 10 other shops sell the same stuff.
4. There is no Starbucks or Peets Coffee. However, there is a Gloria Jeans and Highlands Coffee (who are they???)
5. There really is no middle class-you are either rich or poor and a monthly salary for many is $200 a month.
6. It is really, really hot here too.
7. One of the friendliest country's to visit. The people are wonderful and I also felt very safe here.
8. You shouldn't give money to begging children. It has to do with children being kidnapped into organized begging rings. I think this would apply to any third world country.
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