Here at last!

Arrived in Vietnam last night, and it feels great to be back. Saigon is a little different from Hanoi (where I visited my friend Mike in 2002), but it has the same feel. Throngs of 20-somethings on scooters wearing facemasks to protect them from the dust, older women selling coconut water wearing traditional sunhats, noodle houses on every corner. Saigon does have a more… laid back feel than did Hanoi, which is apparent in the many urban parks that I passed today.

Christy and Janet got in last night (yay!) and we are all staying at Mme Cuc’s, a hostel in the most happenin’ part of the city. Lots of backpackers from around the world, and a super cute staff of Vietnamese women who like to read over my shoulder and shove noodles and eggrolls down my throat.

Today we did (and ATE!) everything! We started off with my favorite Vietnamese breakfast (thanks Mike, for introducing me!)—streetside egg sandwiches with cilatro and chilli sauce on a perfectly baked baguette. A whopping 10,000 dong (about 80 cents). Delicious. We ate—I mean made—our way around the city… the Reunication Palace and the War Remnants Museum (both which remind me how sordid and turbulent Vietnam’s recent past was), the local city market, Notre Dame Cathedral… and Pho, Sinh To (a delicious fruit smoothie), weasel-feces coffee (don’t ask) and streetside waffle cakes. The French occupation was obviously a tragedy, but it left a lasting impression on the cuisine, that’s for sure.

The day ended… strangely. With backs aching from the 20 hour journey here, we decided to get massages at the Vietnam Traditional Massage Institute, coincidentally a few doors down from our hostel. Little did we know the Institute is co-located at a school for the blind, so I just got one of the strangest massages of my life from a blind Vietnamese women. Non-verbal/non-visual communication at its best! Very interesting, but I definitely feel more relaxed!

Onto the Mekong Delta tomorrow…