Scenes from Saigon

Chris returned to Bangkok and I stayed Saigon. It was a first for me to travel with my little brother and we had a wonderful time. It's hard to find someone who is a compatible traveler--who is adventurous, self sufficient and a pleasure to be around--but now I know that I have a travel partner for life, well, at least until he falls into the clutches of another woman!

I fell sick on our last night in Phu Quoc. We had dinner at a proper restaurant with white tablecloths, a bread selection that you can choose from a little basket, and an extensive wine list. It was a step up from our usual grilled seafood dinner, eaten in plastic chairs on the beach, but I suffered mightily. The next day in Saigon, I treated my malady with coconut juice and Evian water. And fresh sugar cane juice.
Back in Saigon, I'm staying at the fanciest joint in town--the cold, formal Park Hyatt Saigon, with cocktails and torch singers in the lobby, right behind the famous opera house--and I miss the small, friendly budget hotel, 1/10 the price, where Chris and I stayed on our first day in the city. Ah well, I'll meet up with the Bich Duyen hotel on my last run through the city in several weeks. At least I'm getting better at crossing the street: you really just have to dive right in! Dive in, and the motorbikes will stop for you...most likely.


Here are a few more Saigon scenes. On a Sunday morning, motorcyclists gather around the steps of the opera house for a Spanish guitar concert.
And this is how young Vietnamese spend their Sunday morning, with their motos, iced coffee and newspapers in the park.

And here is a sidewalk stand where you can enjoy a Banh Mi, French bread stuffed with pickled vegetables, a fried egg, pate and fresh herbs .