Ho Chi Minh City

July 18, 2003 

Heavy Rain

Dear Family and Friends,

I am sitting in the lobby of the Riverside Hotel, a charming colonial style building with tile floors, Corinthian columns, and French provincial furniture. Recently renovated, the hotel overlooks the broad, container ship-filled Saigon River.

Greeting me each morning is an attractive staff of smiling young men and young women who wear the traditional outfit of colorful long flowing dresses over loose fitting pants. (They giggled when I translated "Besame Mucho" that was playing over the lobby music system.) The rate includes full breakfast of Asian soups, omelets to order, fresh fruit and salads, strong coffee.

Today is a "non-tourist" day. I take a leisurely breakfast and try to make some plans with my books and maps. I think I have a route, but then my impatience just drives me out the door.

Bien Hoa Vietnam

July 20, 2003

A one-hour motorbike ride from HCMC past Bien Hoa. My driver stops for directions a few times.

One hundred men, women and children attend the outdoor reception at the home of the Bride. A modern electronic band plays from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. No dancing. Lots of singing.

Ho Chi Minh City Vietnam

July 21, 2003

On my flight from Bangkok to Ho Chi Minh City, I met Mi, a lovely young woman who was returning home from a business trip. Mi owns the Cara Nguyen Fashion Design Company. I called her and she invited me for lunch.

I met Mi and her sisters at a beautiful restaurant. We consumed a remarkable amount of food and had a great time. Since Mi was busy with her business, she suggested that her sister be my unofficial tour guide for the day. Sounded good to me.

Dalat
Central Highlands
Vietnam

July 22, 2003

OK “Blinky.” Here's one for you....

Flew from HCMC to Dalat... Hilltop city on a lake. Cool ... need sweater ... didn't bring one. Rain sometimes ... need a jacket ... didn't bring one. Chilly at night.

Pine mountains, green valleys, vegetable farms, coffee trees.

Signed up for hike-tour. My group for the day: man and wife from Montreal with their twenty-two year old adopted Vietnamese daughter. She speaks French, Spanish, English with a French accent and only a little Vietnamese.

July 23, 2003 

Nha Trang

Vietnam

My Dear Curious Friends, 

OK. I know more than a few of you are just aching to know the details of my "coffee date" in Dalat.

July 24, 2003

Nha Trang

Vietnam

Now, here's a story: 

In Nha Trang, I have breakfast at the rooftop restaurant of The Rainbow Hotel. The owner, a woman about my age is surprised and then happy when I insist on the Vietnamese breakfast of Pho -- delicious broth with noodles and vegetables, and a cup of filtered Vietnamese coffee.