Hoi an continued

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today Lasse and i decided to look for the motorcycle rental place we saw on the internet and with address in hand and map we headed out. we could not find the place at all and two very giggly vietnamese girls we met on the street gave us directions that sent us off in a completely different direction and we found nothing. shortly after that they came riding by on a bicycle and apologized and said they had given us the wrong direction and told us where to go instead.this time i was more skeptical and sure enough we ended up up no where. i think they actually didnt know where the business was but just wanted to be helpful and were curious to talk to us.
eventually, we turned to head back down a side street and were approached by a man who has a motorcycle rental business. he did not speak english so he phoned his brother to come by and we were able to explain what we wanted. then the brother phoned his friend who works for a motorcycle touring company and we arranged to have him provide bikes and be our guide. all this to say that the business owner, the brother who interpreted and the tour guide all are making money out of today. that's how things work here. everyone in the link makes a bit of money. the guide is picking us up tomorrow and we're heading to the ho chi mihn trail a(off road trail)used to transport weapons south during the vietnamwar. we will be riding, staying with local families and learning about local cultures, and will do a hike and overnight stay in a jungle. the guide has all the connections and places to stay lined up and its great because its all "off the beaten track". Lasse has been told he will be given a gun while in the jungle in case he has to shoot an attacking TIGER! (hope that target practice he's been doing will pay off if needed)
So we're off on our Honda 125cc bikes tomorrow for the next 8 days!
Yippee!!

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Comments

[Lisa]

A gun? Tigers? That is nuts!!!!! You two are certainly adventurous. It is snowing here. Meh.

[Sarah]

just wondering...
Its great to hear about your trip! I am wondering if you two are feeling like you stand out a bit there due to your height etc?

[JuliaLasse]

in the spot light here
we sure do stand out in these smaller towns. people stare all the time and children come up to try to talk to us ALL the time!!. women have commented on my long nose and Lasse's big feet. we feel like a combination of neaderthals and hollywood stars. its so strange!