Riding down the Mekong in Nam

We just left Can Tho and now heading to Vung Tau, a beach resort town
outside of Saigon. In order to get there, we would have to transfer to
another bus, back in Saigon enroute to Vung Tau.

Today in Can Tho was a very interesting day. We got picked up from our
hotel for our tour down the Mekong river. Because our hotel sits on
the river, the dock was just a step down from the hotel restaurant.
Our tour guide, met us promptly at 530 am in the reception area and
lead us to his boat. It was all very surreal, funny, and kinda awkward
all at the same time. The boat is worn and beaten but had a coat of
torquoise on the rims for that "fresh" look. The tour guide, which we
still don't know his name, was a soften spoken and very tanned guy
that we thought was at least in his early 30's, but later found out to
be 17! He only had an education of a 3rd grader and does this full
time as a living.

Our private boat ride went down the Mekong and we first encountered
the floating market. All of a sudden, you see all these boats w goods
on them and people headig toward us to bombard us w fruits, noodles,
and coffee. They would hook onto our boat w literally hooks to marry
the boats together during transactions. We just got some fruits and
not dared eat anything else cooked by these boats because our tour
guide says they wash their bowls/untensils w the river water which was
pretty dirty.

After the floating market we docked at a house that made rice noodle
and rice papers that we use for spring rolls. The entrance in had a
make-shift zoo w random animals in cages. There were bunnies (3 to a
cage), a pig, 2 chipmunks, some turtles, and what seemed like a ferret/
fox-like creature. Yes, all very weird. PETA would have a field day at
this place! Our tour guide said the caged animals were more for
"foreigners" to enjoy. The best part for me were the abundance of dogs
running around being excited to see us. I had to control myself from
showing them too much affection because they are mangy. Very cute, but
still mangy.

We stopped by a few other spots where we ate and walked around to see
more ghetto zoos w corny decor and designs.

Jamie's favorite part was when we stopped by this village where they
offered guests "home stay" for 300,000/night ($15). You'd live w the
family and they'd cook you breakfast and dinner. There were chicken
coops where they housed all sort of birds to be slaughtered. The rooms
basically had 4 partitions made out of leaves w a fan and a mosquito
net above the queen size bed. Oh, and a small light bulb. Of course,
my sister and I shudder at the thought of paying that much to live in
that condition. For us, that's 3rd world living, and we didn't
understand why Jamie would want to live in that condition. For the
rest of the ride, my sister made fun of Jamie.

The best part for me was actually that 7hr ride on that boat. It was
very soothing to be so close to the water and the monotonous sound of
the motor was peaceful. I got to hear my sister's perspectives after
the fall of Saigon that put me to tears. My family had such a
tumultuous history and I'm the only one that escaped it. I cried out
of empathy but also in appreciation for all that I have. I will never
complain again for having a more than 8hrs work day!

A couple of you have expressed difficulties posting comments on this
blog. Is anyone else experiencing difficulties? Jamie and I check
daily for commets because we would like to hear from you, but we just
assume people are just silent stalkers and not commenting. Please let
us know at nbnguyen1030@gmail.com

Will post pictures soon!

Ngoc