Good Morning Vietnam!

Our first step outside our guesthouse brought sweet memories of India. The air in Saigon is warm with incense and exhaust. Horns honk and motor bikes zoom by packed with people, goods, and animals. Away from our familiarities, the ease of routine, and blending in to our surroundings - We are both happy to be back.

View from our hotel:


Yesterday we took a motor bike tour around the city. Zipping on the back of the motor bikes we got to see what the highway is like directly outside the city. Since Vietnam is teeming with two wheeled vehicles often the highway was separated, 4 wheels left lanes and 2 wheels right lanes with a cement divider. A couple times Zach and I looked over at each other with knowing glances thinking 'how will we ever ride our bikes here?'.



During our tour we ended up seeing a ancient pagoda and a Vietnamese water/amusement pack - what a contrast. The pagoda entrance was lined with ground level stalls selling turtles, fish, incense, and bottles of coconut oil. Before entering the pagoda there are two cement pools, one for the turtles and the other for the fish to be dropped into as good luck offerings.



At the water park we rented swimming shorts and hopped in the water slide line with the hoards of screaming Vietnamese school children. The children followed us saluting, screaming "Heeelllooo!" and "What youuu Name!," and shaking our hands. They thought it was awesome we were swimming. We ended our motor bike day tour with the driver teaching us some local Vietnamese over very strong coffee.

Water park and beautiful Buddha inside park:


The people of Vietnam are gracious and kind. Walking on the street we are met with faces that smile and want to share eye contact. We are excited to travel beyond the city and to experience this amazing country.