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So... I took longer getting ready this morning that planned, and we needed to go to the post office so I could mail some stuff home (like my jacket I had packed for Tibet, but no longer had room for) before hitting the town. What a mini adventure that became... Between having to fill out five different customs and other forms to send a package (including one needing my passport details!) and being charged far more than I was expecting ($15 USD for a shirt and jacket via ship-taking at least one month to arrive), when we had to leave to go to the ATM, the lady even charged us for the beat up old (very used) little box she gave us from the trash pile! We went to the ATM. It was inside what looked like a building under construction, with no security, so when a man who had been on his way out turned around and followed us back in, I was concerned. I kept an eye on him while we were there and watched his distance as I entered my PIN and withdrew my money. Just as I was putting my wallet back in my purse, he made
his approach, I thought going for my money, but it was worse! He groped my friend (quickly) and then ran out the door! What a perv! I couldn't help but feel he was going for me, but upon seeing my awareness decided she was the easier target. I was so stunned by his actions, I didn't even get my kick reflex going until he was out the door. My friend stood there open jawed for a minute until we both started laughing at the absurdity of what had just occurred. I don't know what it is with some of these Asian men... but I was groped the same way in a club in Shanghai by a Chinese guy who was there with his family!
ANYWAYS... by the time we got back to the post office and finished business there, it was too late to go to the Hanoi Hilton, which I was really hoping to see. We went to lunch with Anh's cousin and his and her father's co-workers, and he drove us back to the hotel to claim my bags and then to the airport. On the way, I realized I never got back my laundry which they
were supposed to have back to me by 8 or 9am that morning. Her cousin offered to go back and get it after he dropped us off, and hold it until Anh returns. I'm taking a train from DaNang to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), so I guess now I must plan a return to Hanoi before exiting the country. At least it will provide a chance to see the Hanoi Hilton.
So... we arrived in DaNang and we greeted by Anh's cousin (or uncle) who drove us to another of her cousins home (Asians keep much stronger ties with extended family than in the West). I found out she actually was born and mostly raised in DaNang, but her family moved to Hanoi when she was in her teens. Her family still keeps a single room rented in her cousins home/office (a large open area in what resembles an American garage with tables and boards for teaching calligraphy). The reserved room had A/C and a single double bed, which was enough for me (and her). The shower and toilet was shared with the home/office/students, but since we weren't planning to spend much time there, it was of little
concern. It also had a little TV which I was delighted to discover received HBO, so we can watch a movie at the end of a tiring day relaxing on the beach!
ANYWAYS, so we got in, dropped my bags, and changed for the beach... well, I changed. Anh did not. I finally got out of her that she didn't even bring her swimsuit, which saddened me. But not one to let others ruin my parade, I got ready just the same. We then jumped back in her uncle/cousin's car and drove with him and his daughter (about 12) to a restaurant by the beach. It was near sunset and breeze was awesome. We sat outside overlooking the beach, and Anh and I went for a walk along the water while her uncle ordered. It was several courses of seafood after seafood. Shrimp, soup, calamari, crab, and finally a congee (rice soup) type fish dish. Everything was delicious (except the calamari-which I usually like- was a little weird). Another of her little cousins (13 years old) came to join. His English was really amazing, and he was such a little nerd it was adorable. Her uncle wanted his daughter
to practice her English as well, but she was too shy to say a word. Her uncle even spoke English pretty well, which surprised me. I haven't even been listening to much of the conversation, as I assumed it was all in Vietnamese, but when I realized at one point he was speaking English with a strong accent, I felt awful and hope I wasn't rude or missing him talking to me before.
So, from there we were dropped by a river walk promenade, but after walking only half a block I felt it: the dreaded stomach attack all traveler's know. Damn you seafood!
Ok, ok, it wasn't that bad... but I couldn't tell at the time, so we went ahead and grabbed a taxi back to room just to be safe.
Once I realized I was going to survive, and wanting the show to go on, I changed and we headed out. We found a little bar by the river called Le Funk where I had a beer. Anh wouldn't drink as she was afraid she'd get the "Asian flush" (a lot of Asian's cheeks turn really red after just one or two drinks); but that wasn't the
real fear. The concern was that her cousin would see it and report back to her mother. So I was drinking alone, but in good company 😉 We left there after a drink and went in search of a club, resorting again, to taxi driver recommendation. We got dropped at what seemed a very nice, though very overstaffed club. Where the music was painfully loud and the prostitutes outnumbered the customers. There were creepy and obnoxious go go dancers on the bar in school girl outfits, ridiculous prices on the menu, and some Vietnamese lady singing way to loud for her range, and a fruit tray that cost $5USD shoved down our throats with no notice as to the charge of such fruit tray. I wouldn't have touched it, assuming the 'scam' (not unusual anywhere) but where the bartender speared some fruit and stuck it to us, I made the mistake of assuming it was included with the outrageous drink prices. Again, some lessons I will learn more than once... even though I try not to dwell on the common scams everywhere I go...
Anyways, after that we were tired and the night was called. Hoping to hit the
beach tomorrow, but there's talk of some other nearby town or old town to hit, so we shall see...
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