Saigon was a big city. What more to expect? Although it was a lot more modern than the Hanoi in the north. We found a nice guest house that had internet, a/c, and free breakfast. We've heard from other travelers that we can get rooms for a lot cheaper, but we never really asked the details. Internet is crucial for Joey, and A/C is a necessity for the both of us. We were right in backpacker central on Bui Vien Road. Our guest house was tucked away in a little alley way so the sounds of scooters and partiers were non existent, which is the way we like it :) Joey and I are turning into old people. Haha just kidding.
Our first night in Saigon we didn't do too much. Had dinner and then went to bed early. We had booked a Mekong Delta tour for the next day and needed to get our sleep! The morning came too fast. Still not caught up from our sleeper bus experience to and from Mui Ne, we half walked half slept to the tour office. I know we said we wouldn't do anymore tours, but honestly, it's usually the easiest way to see a bunch of sights in one day.
Our tour was unexpectedly decent! We drove to My Tho on the bus and then boarded a boat that took us down and around the Mekong River. The Mekong river is vital to many Asian countries. 6 to be exact: China, Loas, Cambodia, Thailand, Myanmar and Vietnam. Passing through that many countries (especially China) makes me wary about what kinda fish comes out of there. Good thing we had pork for lunch. The tour took us to Unicorn Island where they make spectacular coconut candies. The highlight of the tour was getting up close and personal with a real water buffalo. He was really cute and friendly. I also got a little bit friendly with a boa constrictor owned by one of the locals. Joey bribed me into doing it! Another highlight was taking a boat paddled by two local ladies through a jungle like alley way in their island village. It was neat to see what island life meant in the Mekong Delta.
That night Joey and I decided to eat where the locals ate. Enough of these Westerner style restaurants. It was time to sit in plastic children's furniture on the sidewalk and breath in the smoke of the local men. The guy beside us just so happened to speak perfect english. We started discussing the Vietnamese economy, and other questions Joey and I had been itching to ask someone. It was really neat to finally talk to a local that didn't want anything from us, even though he had his own tour business. His friends did not speak very good English but took this as an opportunity to practice, which made it even more fun.
Minh (the English speaking Vietnamese guy) mentioned the idea of playing a game of pool with us at a pool hall about 5 minutes away. Joey and I were a bit skeptical because we've heard of so many scams. It's really unfortunate that we have to have our guard up so much when talking to locals. It's necessary but it really hinders our ability to gain a better perspective on our lives. Who can blame us though? 99% of Vietnamese people who have talked to us during our visit here have wanted something from us.
We had a great time with Minh and his friend at the pool hall. Joey and Minh battled it out with the billiards which left me to entertain Minh's friend who speak minimal English. Tai was his name. He used to be a telegrapher in the Cambodian civil war in the 70's and 80's. He may have not spoke much English but he sure knew how to flatter me. Every second sentence was "You are so charming." "You could be a model" or "You are so happy." Him and I played a game of pool but the bugger forfeit the game because I was so bad and he wanted me to feel like a winner! Joey and Minh played best of 7 games. Unfortunately Joey lost and had to pay for the beers. Minh still chipped in, which we both thought was really nice and somewhat relieving. Joey and I were ecstatic that we had our first real local experience which is pretty hard to do when you are a tourist and on the main tourist trail. We were glad that we spent one of our last nights in Vietnam with locals and getting to know what they are all about.
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