Day 1 - Ho Chi Minh City

Toto, we're not in Kansas anymore.  

I could have repeated that all day to Greg. 

We have arrived to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - more commonly known as (and still called) Saigon. 

We were supposed to be sleeping in to get adjusted to the time difference - 15 hours ahead - but by 4am it was a lost cause, even though we had just arrived at midnight. We opened the doors of our balcony to the city below, and listened to the cacophony of foreign sounds: roosters crowing, birds chirping, buzzing scooter's zipping by, honking horns, and a cyclical, mysterious lady's voice on loudspeaker (which turned out to be something similar to an ice cream truck - a lady on a bike selling fresh goods). It was definitely a precursor for our day - our discovery that Ho Chi Minh City has a distinct charm!  

Saying that everything here is out of our norm would be an exaggeration, but it is obvious we aren't in Kansas anymore!  I think it's beneficial to pay note to the idiosyncrasies while they still feel foreign to us. Like at breakfast, it felt almost inappropriate that everyone was barefoot - but it is custom that no shoes are allowed in our hotel.

We had time to kill before our guide arrived, so we ventured out on our own.  Pathetically, all we accomplished was walking in a circle around the block. We were trying to avoid crossing the street; the constant honking of the chaotic flow of scooters is entirely too intimidating and would have to wait for the safety of our escort. But even though we didn't walk far, we couldn't avoid walking in the street. The sidewalks are covered with parked scooters, making it impossible to stay on the safe haven of the sidewalk. 

A swarm of scooters surround you like bees in a hive

Back at the hotel, we met Diem - our tour guide for the next 3 days. I can't tell you how good it felt to jump into her air-conditioned, new car and be escorted around all day!  She decided to start with a visit to the War Remnants Museum.  It is known for portraying the horrors of the Vietnam War - from a completely one-sided viewpoint. Seeing its exhibits was sickening, and can be likened to seeing the atrocity of a concentration camp.  Large rooms are full of pictures that repeatedly portray the heinous acts of the United States. The Requiem exhibit starts with a quote from our constitution - that all men are created equal - and is followed with pictures of American soldiers torturing and killing people. In the Gallery on Agent Orange are hundreds of photos of grotesquely deformed children. 

The War Remnants Museum

The museum has a bunch of military vehicles abandoned by the United States after the war

At 9am Greg announced it was almost nap time. We were on our way to a "local market" and winding back alleyways in Saigon. In Saigon, the ladies shop every day at the market for fresh food.  In hindsight I'd say it was the highlight of the day - because it exposed us so directly to the Vietnamese people. Diem encouraged us to say "xin chao" (hello).  Guess what? They want us to say hello. They want us to take their picture!  These 2 atypical traits prove they are a friendly, welcoming people!

The dessert table at the market doesn't tempt my sweet tooth

Expensive middle class neighborhood near the market in the center of Saigon

Next we went to Thien Hau temple in Chinatown, dedicated to the lady of the seas. The temple has intricate, beautiful wood carvings. Immediately when you enter you are swallowed by the smoke and pungent smell from all the burning incense coils and sticks. I've never been a fan of incense but our visit taught me about the benefits it can have on the mind and body. 

Thien Hau temple

Offering incense - without expectation of something in return - is training in generosity

Yummy beef pho for lunch!

We had a busy day of sightseeing with the final stop at a building with historical meaning that can give Americans pride.  Our tour guide was able to get us access to the top of the famous building from the fall of Saigon - where the US evacuated 5 Vietnamese for every 1 American. 

The top of the Pittman Apartments

The helicopter precariously perched atop the building to help evacuate a long line of refugees

Something we quickly discovered is going to be a theme of our trip is the reoccurring question:  Why Trump?!  Greg doesn't hesitate to offer his opinion while I just want to laugh and joke, "I don't know, I'm Canadian!"