Seduction

We have made it to Ho Chi Min City (the formerly Saigon) and are truly seduced by this gritty, loud metropolis. We are staying at what I think is legally considered a "Hotel" but in actuality is really just someone's house. The woman who rented the place to us for $12 was so happy that I said yes that she will not quit hugging me. She is very sweet. I gave my passport to her and I am not certain when I will see it again. She pointed to her ring finger and said same same and made some motion to the door and I came up with my own version in English..."oh, your husband took it to photocopy it? Ok." She nodded and said yes and thank you and hugged my stomach again...she is kind of short. Anyway, who the hell cares...we are in Vietnam!

When we arrived at the border I instantly knew this was going to be good. Usually when the bus pulls over there are tons of people who want to sell you spackled colored quail eggs, or some apparent deep fried food item. These items do not have a shelf life and I have NEVER seen a foreign traveler purchase either item but still they persist. It is the same things when the bus arrives at the final bus stop....throngs of tuk tuk drivers who hardly let you get to your bag demanding "where you go..." "where you from?" "you want tuk tuk?" You feel a little like a rock star for a second....maybe the first time it happens then you grow to create some kind of force-field around you, sheltering you from their demanding looks. In the end it is all fine, but what in the hell would life be like if this was it for you? That you showed up at a bus stop and harassed people into getting into your tuk tuk. I am certain at this point you can go back to the earlier posting about gratitude. That kind of harassment is not good for the soul in my opinion and leads to its own course of health risks. SO....when we arrived at the border crossing for Vietnam we were met by two guys trying to sell us SIM cards for cell phones! Hysterical for sure. Speaking of cell phones, my iphone has worked in every country although in the last week it has been silent. I decided to phone my Dad as our bus was sitting on a boat making its way across the Mekong. It was ten pm Michigan time but I knew he would be up. He was a little shocked and surprised to hear from me but quickly recovered by going to our usual conversation about the weather. The other conversation we have is who has died lately. I generally just blurt it out these days...anybody die lately? It was a short and sweet conversation and he confirmed that he would be in New Mexico at the end of March to see his three youngest and stupidest children once again compete in the Bataan Death March Marathon. I said last year after I lost both of my big toenails never again, but if my two older brothers do it....I can not let them get the best of me. Nothing like a little competitive spirit amongst siblings....guess I better start logging some more miles....but I think I lost my running partner.

On the topic of exercise I was out this morning in Cambodia running and jumping rope and a guy came up and just stood there looking at me. Everyone looks at the strange white lady with the white hair but he seemed to be challenging me with his look. I handed him the jump rope and he started off and quickly finished. He gave it a few more attempts (he had no rhythm) and then handed it back to me, I said to him...."looks a lot easier than it is, doesn't it"...he just smiled and walked away.

Oh Cambodia! There are surely more thoughts about that beautiful country. I think that is all I have in me for today. For the first time I am thinking I may need air conditioning....I am making my way to District Five to see if I can find where the Traditional Medicine people live and have their stinky herb stores. Can't wait!

Good Night,
willandCODY