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Binh Tay market
stalls and stalls of bagsSaigon, baby. Officially Ho Chi Minh City, but absolutely no one here refers to it as such. It’s all Saigon and it’s freakin’ hot. How hot you ask? Hot enough to turn us both into sweaty messes within minutes of hitting the outdoors - let me correct that …the
hallway (which is not air-conditioned in our hotel). Quite the sight to behold. As a result of the crazy heat and humidity the flat iron (as predicted) is now completely useless. Curses, I hate not lookin’ good : ( Our only consolation is that the locals are finding our inability to withstand the heat hilarious and we’re happy to entertain (“Very hot!”). We’ve had shop owners point fans at us when we go in and it seems everyone wants to sell us a fan or cold water.
In Saigon we checked out Reunification Hall (surprisingly cool - kind of has a Deifenbunker-y vibe to it for you Ottawa folks in the know), the General Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral (built by the French, bet you didn‘t see that coming), Thien Hau Pagoda, War Remnants Museum (interesting but terribly sad) and the Ben Thanh and Binh Tay markets. But the most fun
has been…wait for it…the TRAFFIC! It’s insane but only in the most fun way possible. Crossing the street is an exercise in pure faith. Since there are no gaps in the traffic (and traffic lights are only a suggestion) you just basically have to pick a spot, look straight ahead and walk at a steady pace while motorbikes and cars veer around you. We were first introduced to this method by shadowing locals earlier in our trip, but there are just so many more motos on the road in Saigon and they never let up no matter how late it gets that it's even more amazing that we manage to make it across the street unscathed every time. And, no, I don‘t always make T go first.
Because I know my aunties want to know - they'd love the shopping as there are lots of cool finds and bargains to be had for the ardent shopper. Us, after the Hoi An spree we've reverted back to our usual "everything else is more interesting that shopping" perspective and our adventures into consumerism have been precise (we know what we want) and quick (we go get it) in order to keep
T writing postards
at the general post office time free for other cool stuff. That being said, Vietnam has also had the most children’s things of any of the countries we’ve been to and I have been absolutely TORTURED because one of my beloved cousins, my sista from another mista, won’t dress her new and exquisitely beautiful baby daughter in anything excessively girly and it took every shred of self control not to buy any of the princess-y type outfits to send to her. Have no fear, A, I resisted (sort of). I am a rock (a slightly malleable rock who occasionally gives in to temptation but not of the ruffled, pink or be-dazzled variety). T had to talk be down a few times but I managed to sneak in one stealthy purchase.
Since my folks have requested to hear about the food, and I am a dutiful and obliging daughter (when it suits me) here it is as requested: it has all been delicious (perhaps with one exception - T would caution to avoid the beef. Story to follow once she’s home). I did have extremely yummy pho (mmm, mmm, mmm) and I have to say that the pho back home (well, from Pho Van Van
Pho
(Beef noodle soup) at least - my favourite pho in Ottawa hands down) is every bit as authentic and delicious. There are also lots of pastry and bread shops everywhere and I may award Saigon best baguettes ever. Presentation has been the biggest difference - everything is fancified and looks as pretty as it is tasty. My favourite regional dish along the way was pork baked in clay pot (it was best in Hanoi) and Tanya is still a hard core fan of steamed rice and veggies.
We’ll be back in Saigon for a couple of days post-Cambodia and before we finally head home. We’ve got a Mekong delta excursion planned for then so more to come about that!!
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E-dog!
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I hear ya!!
Ahhhh... the intense heat and humidity... Here I am in my little computer room at school reminiscing about my time in Japan... It ALSO took me less than 26.3 seconds to be drenched in sweat. But the Japanese folk werent' too worried about me... It's awesome that the Vietnamese find it funny... Just like we find it funny to see outsiders wearing big coats, tuques and gloves on a cool 12 degree autumn day. 5 more days to go guys!! See you girls saturday 7pm ( E.T.)