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The Mekong

Sunday, November 20th, 2005

We woke early today and we had an 8 hour bus ride to Chau Doc, which is close to the Vietnam-Cambodia Border. I had my first experience of a squat toilet on the way….I won’t go into details here but it was interesting. Chau Doc is so pleasant compared to HCMC. Much slower pace and quieter. We did a cyclo tour around the city for an hour for $2USD. Only a few near death experiences:) Went to dinner and had stir fried pork and french fries. $4USD. Oh, btw, chicken is not on the menu AT ALL here. It is blacked out-you can’t order chicken or eggs. Tomorrow morning, we head to Cambodia.

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Touring Ho Chi Minh City

Sunday, November 20th, 2005

Okay, mother don’t freak out but I took a motorbike tour to see the sights. As in the crazy motos that were all over the road and freaked me out the first day I go here. I walk outside the hotel and this guy Nam comes up and offers to show me the sights. For $35USD, he would take me for 5 hours. Fine. What an experience. We go to the Notre Dame Cathedral-looks shockingly similar to the Paris version. Apparently, since I had asked about Notre Dame, I must want to see the other church in District 4 (most touristy things are in District 1). Well, after we get there, he tells me that virtually no foreigners come here. Great. I can honestly say I never felt more on display anywhere in my entire life. EVERYONE was staring at me. We then crossed the Black River. It was black. Then it was on to the Reunification Palace. Imteresting place that looks exactly inside the way it did in the 60s/70s. Then it was onto the Jade Emperor Pagoda. It was built at the turn of the century by the Cantonese people. There was a ceremony taking palce when I walked in. Many people leave an offering and good fortune comes to them. Then we were off to Cholon. The Chinese Ghetto and the Chinese Market. Craziness. Anything you could possibly imagine. I lasted about 10 minutes in there then it was on to the Ben Than Market which was similar to the CHinese Market only more tourists and the ladies at the stalls calling “Madame, Madame”. I lasted about 15 minutes at this one.

Pagoda
Pagoda in Vietnam

After the tour, went back to the hotel and met my roomate. Her name is Gwen and she’s from the UK. We went to dinner (all 12 people) and the night market. Actually had a decent pepper steak w/ french fries and a coke for $3USD. There is one other American on the tour (who grew up in Philly) and mix of the UK, Ireland, Australia, NZ, and Brazil. The tour guide is Amy and she is from Oz. So far so good. Everyone seems very nice.

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Cu Chi Tunnels

Sunday, November 20th, 2005
On Friday, I decided to go to the Cu Chi Tunnels. I thought I had asked for a group tour but I ended up with a driver and personal car for the day for $40USD. Anh was my driver ... [Continue reading this entry]

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Goooood Morning Vietnam!

Sunday, November 20th, 2005
Sorry I couldn't resist. After 4000+ miles and 8 hours later, I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City (AKA Saigon), Vietnam. I had to admit I was feeling "Toto, we aren't in Kansas anymore". On the plane, ... [Continue reading this entry]

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