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Published: February 27th 2011
I have a huge dong.
In fact, I didn't realize it until I arrived in Hanoi, Vietnam.
It's enormous as a matter of fact. I can barely stuff it in my pants because it is so large and heavy.
I can do so many things with my dong that I never felt possible. Just feeling it in my pocket makes me feel really ecstatic.
And when I pull my dong out of my pants I'm amazed at how many things I can do.
A lot of people here like my dong and have asked for it.
My big dong is the envy of so many people. I really am blessed.
Of course, you do realize that I am speaking about the Vietnamese currency...the "dong". In fact,20, 000 Vietnamese dong is equal to ONE Canadian dollar. Imagine my surprise when I went to the bank and took out $200.00 and ended up with 4 million dong in my hands!!!(in fact, the biggest dong I have ever held!) And I had an amazing lunch at a restaurant for underpriveleged children:
-one banana/mango smoothie
-a fabulous meal of chicken satays barbequed with lemongrass stalks as the
skewers
-rice and vegetables
-a lemon/chocolate tart
-one delicious cappucinno
The bill came to a total of $1.80!!!
Obscene yes, and most welcome after a much more expensive journey in Australia. But that too comes with a price. A Vietnamese person is lucky to make $100.00 in a month. 86 million of them crowd this small country and judging from my first day galloping about this frantic city, I can see how competition and desperation are also part of the national psyche. People at every corner want to offer you something...a taxi ride, a cyclo ride, a picture of them in national costume, a picture of you holding the balance, postcards etc...it was quite difficult to be smiling and politely refusing all day. Guilt mixed with frustration seems to be coursing through my veins after only 24 hours in this country.
Yet, I did have a sense of friendliness, curiousity and a genuine heartfelt welcome from people who have struggled through many years and who dream seemingly "impossible dreams".
The noise in this city is unbelievable. As motorbikes are the more common form of transportation followed by cars, bikes, cyclos (a type of rickshaw) it is
overwhelmingly noisy with honking and whistle blowing at every corner. There is not one traffic cop to be seen as vehicles weave in and out of lanes and pedestrians (another type of "vehicle" on the road...sidewalks are often filled with parked motorbikes, sellers peddling their wares, consumers buying them and cafes, filling in the gaps!) look bravely ahead and somehow march through this "Death Race 2000" track and march to the other side of the street.
I almost didn't leave my hotel room this morning in anticipation of the grand event...but glad I mustered up my courage and took a literal "leap of faith". I was even more amazed at how nonchalant this act became by the end of the day when I just crossed roads at many different corners and didn't feel my heart racing or skipping...becoming a vehicle myself in a city that is literally one massive highway is not that bad!!!
Lovely, fascinating temples are to be found in Hanoi. There is a jade green emerald lake in the Old Quarter that was a popular photo-op for many newleyweds. There are wide tree-lined avenues and other roadways that are incredibly narrow. The city is filled
with beautiful French Colonial architecture from the days when Vietnam was a part of "Indochine". Where else in the world can you enjoy a delcious pho and top it off with a lovely fresh French baguette?
Yes, I was quite afraid of this "blind date"...but after getting to know her a bit...I think I might call again.
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Jude
non-member comment
My Big Dong
Hahahaha I was wondering what you were talking about at first Kevin. Wow what a difference from the price of things in Australia, that is amazing! $1.80 for your little nosh. I'm impressed and I bet it was delicious. So many sights and different ways of life you are experiencing. It does look very busy and the way you describe it I can almost hear this city as well as visualize it. Amazing description Kevin!! Again Pics are amazing I'm so happy for you Take care Thought of you all day today