Well, the task of sending an e-mail to tell you all about my trip has been too daunting since I can't know where to begin. It would take pages to describe the highlights of just my first night in Saigon (officially Ho Chi Min City, AKA, HCMC). Arriving in Asia for my first time, I have been blown away by just about everything.

Here are some random thoughts;

The traffic!!!! Motorbikes (100cc motorcycles, more like a moped) are everywhere. In all of Vietnam, but especially Saigon, the traffic has no structure or laws, oncoming lanes somehow stop in time to not collide (this is when I have to close my eyes, and laugh); it's unbelievable that accidents don't occurs more (though traffic fatalities are quite high). People carry everything on their motorbikes, from a family of 5 to large construction material, to pulling a cart of produce stacked higher than my head - it is fascinating! I spent 1 week in a small town Hoi An where traffic was pretty easy, and rented a motorbike for some of the time. Well, I could go on forever about the motorbikes...

VN women are beautiful. Prostitutes are very common in Saigon, and everywhere here.

The weather is great, and there's almost no bugs (Agent Orange?). Warm rains have been common. While out on a motorbike tour in Saigon, the rain came down hard. The streets were flooded. I suggested we send our drivers off and get a taxi, but my Australian traveling partner Lawrence brushed this off, saying we should stay the course. As we drove to the next Pagoda (Buddhist temple), the water was a foot deep. It was raining so hard that roofs were creating waterfalls. We drove down narrow alleys, keeping the acceleration so as to not lose our momentum. A 2X4 floated next to us. We arrived at the next Pagoda, and took comfort inside the beautiful 400 year old temple as the rain continued. An English speaking monk gave us tea, and we sat and talked out his life. The drivers waited for us until the rain stopped. I gave a tip so the whole afternoon for the motorbike and driver was $6.

Perhaps the greatest part of my trip has been the prices of everything. Tipping is not at all common, the food is sooo good, and when I sit down for a meal I can order anything and everything. Fresh squeezed juice (orange, mango, pineapple, lemon, watermelon), spring rolls, soup, seafood, beer, coffee - all of this for most meals. The total bill averages about $4. The meal itself is usually around $2. Bike rental for 1 day - $.66. Cheapest beer so far - $.10 (and it's good - I bought a round).

More on the food. I love it all. The ingredients are fresh from the market that morning, and they use lots of all the good stuff. My lemongrass calamari had more lemongrass than anyone would ever consider using back home. Vegetables are plenty, there are new fruits I've never had (rambatan or lychee is my new favorite fruit). There is French bread and French influence in many meals.

Last night, I met up with some local Vietnamese; Thinh (pronounced Ting) a friend of my friend Dave Bartecchi's, and his brother Vong. Thinh is a doctor, and Vong a veterinarian. They speak great English, and I learned so much from them.

I am torn sending this since I haven't given much from the experiences I've had so far, but it's all I have time for and tomorrow I head for Ha Long Bay for the next 3 days.

I hope all are well.

Chao ban,

Drew

PS - I did have a good offer - a cute, young VN girl in Hoi An (my favorite town in the world - I spent 1 week) offered me $20,000 to marry her and get her US citizenship (her brother in CA will pay - 1/2 now, 1/2 later, divorce in 2-3 years). Dave F - I can't imagine why you wouldn't do this?

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