Vietnam and the Ho Chi Minh Tour.

Alls this...

Fit in THIS!

Of the first two days in Vietnam I can say that it is far grungier than I expected. I knew it wouldn't be anything like Japan or Korea or even Malaysia, but its so different it surpassed every expectation I had- including how much fun i'd have.

Of course it was a third world country and technical communist in their political stance- those being two major things you're taught to fear in America, but it was no trouble. I was just another foreigner for merchants to pan handle to and bargain with, which was kinda nice since i'm poked at in Korea as some kind of mutant.

Cross that I dare you

You often hear hotel clerks caution you against the best pickpockets in the world living in Ho Chi Minh , but I have my doubts. The only occasions I was accosted was buy two amatures with a pitiful story about being "college kids" and wanting to "meet foreigners."


PFFT. Likely story from a young couple walking in the park with backpacks! I'm on high alert and not so easily bought in!

Even so it was easy to stretch a dollar when you're bartering with motorbike taxis and rival waiters vie for patronage between their two adjacent eateries. Saving money was half the adventure itself! The idea of never taking things at face value or accepting the labeled norm has become such a requirement in my recent travels that I'm starting to wonder why I don't argue the price over things like that more often. Hmmm...


Well within our second day we sight saw in Ho chi Minh most especially the war museum- which makes you feel absolutely terrible yet compelled to see every gruesome bit of it.


That whole time period was a intercontinental train wreak and thanks to these houses full of remnants we can review the past follies of each gruesome story. Its a version of a well known history that seems ancient to kids these days (AKA me) but blindly believing the lapse in time makes us immune to the effects of slaughter risks dehumanizing the suffering of real people. Then and now.


I Like  believe I'm not  so callous.



The most surprising article of the museum were the memorabilia posters from third party nations that rallied AGAINST the USA, such as Japan and Russia. Back then the fight was pretty two dimensional, but seeing it from the other dimension certainly makes a difference.

There were plenty of other palaces and towers and cathedrals to see, but the height of the Ho Chi Minh circuit was spending evenings out with other travelers and drinking on the cheap. but the food - OH THE FOOD! Generally Spectacular, including the sweet-spicy frog porridge. No Cajun frog legs here- nothing so meaty. Its every bit of the tiny pond hoppers that end up on your plate. but Oh man that was sweet culinary justice against all the fermented soy I've been suffering by in Korea. 

We knew we were in for a great treat after that, and so day 3 approached and before heading north to the next great adventure, we made a side trek to the Meekong Delta, the true country roots of the south.

Just a small outing on a crystal clear river

Then to a Coconut Candy factory where the samples were still warm and chewy.

Observed a harvest up close

And even got cozy with some local wild life.

With such a varying experience after only a few days i was already feeling worn out, but soon enough we'd have a whole new wild, unforgettable and slightly regrettable experience waiting just around the bend, though if you want THAT story, you'll have to ask in person...

About to Depart

As i sit at my desk on Monday August 5th and double check all the final packings and preparations for my major trip I think of how oddly afraid yet at peace I am. If you could blend the two together like a milkshake you'd get a smooth anxiety frappe.

Its the first major trip of nearly- indipendant country roaming, though hopefully not the last. Its a major excursion as far as my previous excursions go- though now it seems i'm just psyching myself out... But even when We first left for Korea, I walked that terminal gate alone but by the time we landed I had met at least 5 others who were in my position. I'll never forget all the brave faces of those nervous kids, myself included, when we landed in Inchon Airport and practically tiptoed through the foreign halls of the terminal before finding the major meeting site for all the affiliated teachers.

That first night was spent on my own though. Having a separate meeting time the next day I had to pull myself up by the britches and book my own hostel ahead of time. (And when I say book my own I mean trust my contracting agency to not screw me over when they booked one for me.)

Even when our College Choir toured through Europe we had constant guides and daily agendas.

Even in the Philippines for our fake honeymoon we were corralled like cattle here and there, often to the cheapest and blandest of restaurants and sites. The adventure was to slip away and discover what we could in those few hours of freedom.

Its the same but this time its different.


11 days of freedom to roam.

And of course whats a roamer without his roaming cap?

No schedule, no agenda, no strict list of things to see or places to be. Just two guys and an open, new, foreign country to explore.

It'll be dangerous. Which of course is half the attraction. Everyone needs a bit of danger on their adventure and being in the most unadventurous town for as long as I have- lets just say we've got to even it out.

It's impossible to know whats gonna happen but the most I can promise myself and others is this: I'll try my best to keep my head on my shoulders. Keeping an eye on my pack, people and surroundings as much as possible.

I trust my travel companion completely so i'll watch his back as much as he watches mine.

He's practically an Angel he is - only the most trivial of character flaws. Honest!

 Won't take unnecessary risks, though favorable risks with potential payoffs are open game~

And I'll try my best to come back alive. Which is only meant to be half sarcasm. Though I am naturally cautios, These last two years have been so stuffed with new and wild experiences that i'm not so paralyzed by the potential dangers anymore. Keeping god friends close and a clear head is key- but as long as we enjoy this short life adventure no matter what happens will be worth it.