VIETNAM TOP 10
10 things I learned in Vietnam…
1 – In Vietnam shoes are often not worn inside, making it a common occurrence to see a mass of shoes awaiting you at the front door. Dad, maybe you should frame this picture as an example of what you would like your front door to look like 🙂
2 – On any given day the entire city of Ho Chi Minh could erupt in a massive electrical fire. The cause? The insane power lines that are crammed, twisted, and haphazardly wrapped together on every corner. The man pictured below must be one of the smartest men in the country, I would have no idea where to begin.
3 – Rice hats are not just for tourists, they are actually worn by many women on a regular basis. However, the real rice hats have an extra plastic raincoating that the tourist ones do not. I guess they don’t think we’ll wear them as much back home. They’re probably right.
4 – Motos are everywhere. There is no getting around them. Hundreds upon hundreds crowd the streets of Ho Chi Minh fighting for any available road space that will allow them to inch forward. Warning: Pedestrians beware! During rush hour sidewalks become fair game and when crossing the street just keep walking forward, a step backwards could be the end of you.
5 – Nothing is too large or too heavy to be placed on the back of a motorbike or bicycle. The Vietnamese have truly mastered the art of balancing anything and everything on the back of their bikes, including 15 foot poles, propane tanks, and large desks.
6 – In some places squid is a delicacy, but when half of your country is on the coast it becomes a common food. Here in Ho Chi Minh the preferred variety is dried squid. I consider myself somewhat adventurous when it comes to food but I’ve yet to try this foul smelling cuisine.
7 – Lice is apparently a normal occurrence in the big city. It’s not uncommon to see people picking through each others hair while sitting on the side of the street. In fact, a brief lice outbreak occurred in our squad during our stay here, but in typical American style the lice picking was done in the privacy of ones room.
8 – For anyone who’s ever been to Berlin this sign will bring a smile to your face. Yes, it’s true, Ho Chi Minh City is home to a Döner Kebab stand. And yes, this tasty Turkish/Berliner treat has been my main meal on numerous occasions. Yum!
9 – Someone, somewhere in Vietnam thought it was a good idea to make wine out of rice and then bottle the beverage with a dead venomous snake and other various unappetizing creatures in it. Being curious or foolish – you can decide – I tried this strange concoction, and let’s just say I prefer my wine without beady little eyes staring at me from within the bottle.
10 – Even though Ho Chi Minh is a large crowded city, within an hours drive you can be enjoying the beauty that covers the Vietnamese countryside. The word breathtaking doesn’t really do it justice. The sky is a delicate baby blue with a speckling of puff white clouds that sit peacefully above the magnificent green fields. It’s truly a sight to behold and a nice change of scenery from the bustling city.
