Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh, City That Is

I am feeling very complacent here is HCMC enjoying the food, getting to know the people, seeing and re-seeing the sights, pretty much all the things that make for a successful destination. Maybe my favorite is the ABC Bakery located a short distance from my hotel and a great place to satisfy a sweet tooth after a spicy bowl of lowfat pho (soup).

For dinner the past two nights I have gone with a local and the first night we had a buffet on top of one of the swanky hotels (about $9) where I was tempted to try almost everything, not an easy task since there were 5 tables full of food, a concoct-it-yourself soup area and an outdoor grill. Outstanding on the menu were spring rolls and also small fish which were served complete with heads and eyes and grilled perfectly with a crunchy skin. Last night we went to another rooftop restaurant where each table was equiped with a gas grill and the meats and veggies were served raw to be cooked while sitting there. Tonight I justy finished having a beer and wonderful croque monsieur (French for grilled cheese) from the above mentioned ABC Bakery. I enjoyed a simple less filling supper.

While out and about yesterday I observed a dumptruck which played "Happy Birthday" when in reverse instead of the more typical and boring "BEEP-BEEP-BEEP" warning that such trucks usually sound as alarms. I decided that it would be a good idea from now on whenever I hear someone singing "Happy Birthday" to me, I will also go in reverse and subtract, not add, a year. Do you think it is a good idea?

Still Here

Did you think I had dropped out? I was without acceptable internet the last few days in Bangkok and I just got to Ho Chi Minh City. What is "internet strange" here is that I can not access AOL and I am wondering if there is some restriction on AOL here in Vietnam. I have not been downstairs to question this with the well informed hotel staff.

I was enervated on arrival last night approaching this neon bright city in the taxi from the airport. There is an exited vibe and a lot of street life at night. Sidewalks are full of tables spilling out of restaurants and diners and pedestrians are everywhere. Trees are lit like Christmas and all senses are stimulated.

I checked in to the same hotel I used before and went out for a short shopping expedition to buy water and a pastry at a nearby bakery. I wore the same clothes I had worn on the plane, dressy pants and a long sleeve shirt, and I was drenched with sweat upon returning to the hotel. I had forgotten just how hot it can be here, and I am thinking back to the "winter" month of February.

Surprisingly, John McCain has come to my mind lately. I remember his story of picturing the perfect golf game while he was being held prisoner by the North Vietnamese. When he was released and got to play again, his game had not suffered too much. I am using the same mental approach of visualizing myself safely crossing motorbike and car filled intersections in Saigon in hopes that I will be as successful as McCain was with his golf.

The King

When I got off the skytrain in central Bangkok this afternoon, no one was being allowed to descend the escalator to the street level. I asked an attendant what was happening and she told me that the king was traveling through the avenue below the skytrain. Shortly after she told me the reason for the delay a procession of police on motorcycles and then several other vehicles, a Rolls Royce and trailing motorcycles and cars passed. I thought that it was interesting that no one seemed disturbed at having to wait, unlike what would have been the reaction at home or probably in England. Our culture would benefit by adopting the Asian attitudes of respect and courtesy.

Here the king is revered and his picture is prominently and voluntarily displayed in all businesses and also on billboards like the one shown above. King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Rama IX, was coronated in 1946 making him the world's longest reigning monarch.

The Thai people are concerned that this may be their last king , as his only son is considered a scoundrel and unfit to serve as head of state. Under Thai law he and all the royal family are exempt from legal action. Otherwise much of his self indulgent behavior would be considered criminal. The Thai royal dynasty has existed since 1248 and has inspired, among other things, a broadway musical "The King and I".

I applied for a 3 month visa for Vietnam today and if processing takes less than 48 hours I hope to fly to Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) on Friday. For all its good qualities Thailand is expensive and

I might as well get someplace where I think I might like to settle in for a while and teach English. When I was in Vietnam earlier this year I observed a booming economy and a hunger for English. I hope they will be as welcoming to me as I expect.

Back in Bangkok

I got to Bangkok just as planned and arrived at my hotel shortly past midnight this morning. I was quite impressed with the new airport train service which took me from the airport quickly, comfortably and cheaply from the lower level of the airport terminal to within a very short taxi ride to my hotel. The addition of this train which began operating since I left here in May moves BKK up to the top of my list as best airport.

I have noticed a big change in Bangkok since May. Back then there was some serious political tension. Now that things have settled here in the Land of Smiles everyone seems friendlier and more welcoming as was my past observation. I am aware that nothing was resolved as far as the red shirts were demanding and there will likely be future disturbances, but for now I am happy to see the reemergence of a more familiar Thailand.

I had a walk this morning and I went to a favorite breakfast spot for rice and pork soup which was delicious. The smells, tastes and sounds make me feel as if I am back in a familiar and favorite place.
I have to get my travel groove back because I left the hotel without my camera, cap or notebook. I promise pictures soon. I do not have much planned today other than resting, pool sitting and gathering steam for the next great adventure. The hgardest part of the trip is behind me.

I

The Journey Begins

It is a few minutes past 5 AM on Sunday, September 19, and I am waiting in the boarding area of Tampa International Airport for my flight to Dallas-Fort Worth. I will connect to AA175 to Tokyo (hopefully in Business Class) and then on to Bangkok with Japan Airlines. I expect to be in Bangkok in about 31 hours which will be just before midnight Monday in Bangkok and about noon on Monday back at home. Whenever crossing the International Dateline there is some really serious time travel confusion but I am getting better at it.

I carefully packed and all that I have is a carry on bag. Packing is another talent that I have developed over the years. Some folks are gifted musicians, poets, sculptors and painters. I guess my gift is that I am a good traveler. How well life has treated me that I am able to do what I enjoy.

Since there is not much to report at this time I will close. I hope the blog gets more interesting in future entries. I promise to work on it. Now time for a Starbucks to open my eyes.