Phnom Pehn to Saigon

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Took the bus from Phom Penh to Saigon earlier today. Arrived at the travel agency where I booked my ticket and found that the office was closed! Waited for my 7:30 am taxi but at ten to eight I figured it wasn't coming and hired a motorbike to take me to the bus stop. Drove to three different stations before finding the company I was travelling with. Stressful way to start the day but I breathed a huge sigh of relief as I boarded the bus. A Vietnamese man sat down next to me and started speaking rapid-fire Vietnamese. I kept pointing and my ears and shrugging my shoulders but he didn't seem to get that I don't understand Vietnamese. Fortunately there was a man sitting behind us who spoke both languages and he acted as an interpreter for us. The gentleman sitting next to me was a friendly fellow and recommended a few different places to visit while in Vietnam. They asked where I was from and they remained warm and friendly when I told them I was American. The gentleman who spoke English told me how he had worked with the US Air Force during the "American War" and worked in air traffic control. Changed buses at the border despite paying for the direct bus. "No bus changes, Mister!" I remember the travel agent saying in reply to my question about the difference between the buses for hire. My heart sank as we drove into Vietnam. I saw many many motos with cages full of dogs on the back. No doubt they were all going to market to be sold for dinner. I hate it that dogs are eaten here. That's barely a step below cannibalism in my mind. It's like eating one of your friends. As the Vietnamese tourists to Angkor Wat and the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh exited the bus both men wished me good luck and a happy stay in Vietnam.

Stopped into the Guns 'N' Roses bar for a beer and a chance to figure out where I wanted to stay. Hired a cyclo driver to take me to a nearby hotel and asked how much. He wanted a buck and I figured that was fair. Didn't realize that he would only have to pedal a block and a half! Gave him 10,000 dong, about 60 cents, a generous donation for such a short distance. Found a place down the street for $6/night and it has a hot shower! Hot showers cannot be beaten! Booked my room for a few nights, took a long hot shower and headed downstairs to book the one day Ho Chi Minh City tour. Includes a trip to the famous Cu Chi tunnels used by the ethnic Cu Chi minority and Viet Cong to infiltrate this city, which was held by the US during the American War. Looking forward to it. Down the busy street from where I stay is a large city park with some ridiculous rules posted on a billboard. Many of the rules are broken, the most obvious being the no pet dogs allowed in the park. Off to buy some soap for my next hot shower and find a place where I can get some cheap eats.

Ciao

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Photos

Agent Orange
Victim of Dioxin working on mother of pearl inlay at a government-run shop.

Cu Chi Tunnels
Woman ducking into a sniper hole used by the Cu Chi resistance during the American War.

Cu Chi Tunnels
American-made tank damaged by mines. The mines were made from unexploded ordinance dropped by American bombers.

Cu Chi Tunnels
Trap used by the Cu Chi to slow American invaders. When a soldier stepped into the trap he would fall in and the spikes would spring up and pierce his upper torso and armpits.

Comments

[Brian]

Freedom
Isn't it sad that those people would rather die than be free. Some people just don't get it, and some never will.