First Day


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Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City
March 17th 2008
Published: March 17th 2008
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Well -- it's our first official day in Vietnam.... feels like 16 rolled into one... Airtime from Saturday to Monday amounted to 24 give or take a minute -- and of course we crossed the date line -- so that just meant that Sunday never really came or at least that is how it felt. San Fran to Taipei is a long haul, but nothing like waking up to Spicy Beef noodles in a cup for breakfast at 4am!... seemed like a good idea at the time. The kids thought it was cool -- if nothing else -- to use their chopstick skills. My eyes are half mast and the rest of my family is asleep at the moment -- so I'll just highlight some unusual details of the marathon day from the air to Ho Chi Minh City and call it a night...

Funniest moment for Will -- believing that the moist hand towel he was being offered on the plane was actually cheese. Thankfully he just said "no thank you" -- instead of trying to eat it.

Weirdest moment for David -- hearing the 12 days of Christmas being played on the overhead at our hotel when
Dragon FruitDragon FruitDragon Fruit

cut it open -- you'll see white flesh and tiny black seeds like polka-dots -- very unexpected appearance.
we were checking in... on St. Patrick's Day.

Prettiest thing for Helen -- the real purple-pink orchids tucked into our sheets at the hotel. For Will and Tracy, it was the unusual Dragon Fruit.

Cool overload for Tracy (and everyone else too) -- taking a tour of the city on the front of a man's bike during horn-blowing, exhaust-billowing "oh my Gosh that's a bus" traffic. To be honest -- it felt more natural to be in it -- than to try to penetrate it (by crossing the road on foot). There's got to be some storm analogy there -- but I just can't think of it right now.

Scariest thing for Will -- being called to "boy, hey boy!" from street venders. I imagine this experience is intense for a child in a different way than it is for an adult -- as the vendors are generally seated at his eye level and meeting him face-to-face. They are not overly aggressive, but they do want our attention. Will feels very singled-out and doesn't understand why he is being noticed. Helen seems oblivious to the intensity and solves all uncomfortable situations with a good skip or twirl
Ready to hit the roadReady to hit the roadReady to hit the road

masks worn because of the exhaust
of her skirt.

gotta get some sleep -- heading for the CuChi tunnels tomorrow.









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into the traffic we gointo the traffic we go
into the traffic we go

hard to describe the noise -- sidewalk chatter, horns beeping, cycles revving, buses motoring... and my driver talking on his cell phone while weaving through it all.


17th March 2008

it looks like my home town to me!
I can't believe you are there. Hope you all are enjoying it.
17th March 2008

I love this!!
So much better than a postcard. I almost feel like I'm there.
17th March 2008

Wow!
Dear Hoags - thanks for taking us vicariously along on this grand adventure! I'm very excited for you and praying for your safety and joy. Beki
17th March 2008

Traffic
Rush hour now will seem like nothing here! I remember traffic in Spain being crazy also! Có sñ vui ùa và an toàn. (Have fun and be safe.) What is the time difference?
17th March 2008

thanks!!
Thank you so much for keeping us informed. i think we are all living this trip through you 4 crazy people! We look forwrd to the next few entries!! Love, Liz
17th March 2008

You're there!
I am so happy to see that you made it alright! You sound like you are having a great time! Take care! Love, Miss Durbin
18th March 2008

Seriously, put that dragon fruit in the red bag and pull it out in the middle of a meeting at Hospice or something. I read your blog to the boys, Tristan wants more pictures and Todd says you guys look like you always ride on the front of bikes. Be safe and HAVE FUN! Maryke
18th March 2008

Thrilled to hear of your arrival!
So happy to hear from you. Sent it on to the parents. We will read everything tomorrow to the class!
18th March 2008

Thanks
Thanks for sharing. I pray for a safe and wonderful adventure.
18th March 2008

This isn't Ohio
Great to see your Blog .The kids should have a grand adventure. Be sure you try the mangosteen and rambutan.
18th March 2008

Awesome!
Keep up the blog... we love watching your adventure!
18th March 2008

So.o.o. wonderful
Hi Hoags. I am anxiously awaiting your second day report. What a great thing this "blog" is. Brand new stuff to me. I can just see Helen skipping along twirling her skirt, and Will wondering why everyone is looking at him. I am sure he realizes by now that the Vietnamese people are not used to seeing American children. I am so glad you are all there safe and sound, and can't wait to join you this weekend. Love you all, Mom/DeeDee
18th March 2008

Hi!
Yea! You're there! We can't wait to meet up with you guys in a few more days. Any tips for the long trip for the kids?? Have fun and we'll see you soon!
18th March 2008

Viewing your sights
Thomas wants to know: Are you having fun? Caroline asks: What other foods have you eaten? Talia wants to know: Is the hotel like one you would visit in America? Jessica wants to know: Is it like you imagined it would be? Take care! Love, Grade 2
18th March 2008

Love the pics
Will and Helen look like two little Hannibal Lectors with their masks. Best of luck in the tunnels. "We own the day, but Charlie owns the night."
18th March 2008

It looks fun in Vietnam, Helen!
I love you, Helen. I hope you have a good time in Vietnam. What did the dragon fruit taste like? See you soon. I hope you will be very careful in Vietnam. Love, Patrick
18th March 2008

thanks for sharing
Hi Hoag family, I can't wait to share this with my kids. What an amazing adventure for you all. Keep up the entries, they are great fun to read. Nikki and family
18th March 2008

Hi Patrick
Dragon Fruit is crunchy and sweet and sour in different parts. It is white with a lot of little black seeds -- that get all over your hands. We're being careful. See you soon. Helen
18th March 2008

questions
yes, Thomas -- I'm having fun. Caroline -- I've eaten rice, watermelon juice, fried spring rolls with pork, fried fish with sweet sauce, ginger chicken, boiled tapioca... all good. Talia -- this hotel is different because it is really nice. Our tourguide says that foreigners are treated especially nice... nicer than how the people who live here are treated. Weird. You have to use the room key to turn on the room's electricity. And they put a bowl of fresh fruit in the room everyday. We have to drink bottled water -- even brush our teeth with bottled water so we don't get sick. The ceiling is painted to look like a sky. Jessica -- It is not like I imagined it -- because I thought it would be like a desert and it is more like new York City, but much hotter and busier -- and the cable lines are impossible -- too mcuh to be true. Miss you guys. Will
20th March 2008

Addicted
I look forward to each Hoag Travel Fix. Fantastic pics and explanations. Our big kids, Luke and Olivia, have always been interested in Will and Helen. I see a future for them with the Travel Channel! We continue to pray for your safety and wild and crazy times!
22nd March 2008

Shopping Protocols Inquiry
First, we are delighted to see your blog. Thanks for taking the time to share. Second, we returned in early March from month in New Zealand and 4 days in Singapore. Re: Asian vendors calling out to potential buyers: We are "big people" and even we were a bit intimidated by the vendors. In Singapore at least, they come out of their store to engage you and really "chat." ("I not pushy...I just old lady needs sell...you like?....what you pay?....and on and on.) Your DeeDee will affirm that Mrs. Hughes makes almost no decisions quickly...always want to think about it. My reaction was really retreat. But here's an interesting thing we learned: Chinese are very superstitious about the first customer of the day. That person should buy something, or the shop owner thinks the day is very bad. A polite shopper should not enter and not buy at least a token. After we learned about this custom...we made sure to return to the "I no pushy"-lady's shop later. We made sure she was told that her customers from two mornings ago when she opened did come back and did buy. The aggressiveness of the vendors and the negotiating of price were very interesting to us. We were surprised at our own discomfort with the shopping experience. Third, I encourage you to write in your blog what food dishes you like. We thought the Chinese, Indian, Thai food was all great. But now that we're home we can't remember some of the very interesting combinations we enjoyed so much. The food chain "Thai Express" had good food, we thought. Wondering if you'll see one of those. Happy Easter. We look forward to the next installment. DeeDee is flying to you as I write this. Please give her a special message of love from Sue and Lee. Bye.

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