Viet Nam

Hello to everyone and greetings from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

I flew out of Brisbane on tuesday and flew into Kuala Lumpur on wed morn, then flew KL to HCMC and arrived here 10am wed morning!
I had to get my visa and then come through customs and get my bags and I was set... I walked out to a huge crowd of people and saw a guy holding a sign with my name on it. He looked at me and pointed to his sign, I nodded in agreement! He came over and asked "are you michael?" I said "MICHELLE, yes" lol.... he crossed the busy pick up area and he motioned for me to wait while he went to get the car! Well it was hot out... sort of smelt of Urine and everyone was honking every 2 seconds.... lol ahh the sounds on Siagon!

We drove and drove... I needed a bank so I took my bank card out to show him and ask to stop for money.... we stopped at a lil ATM which also smelt of urine! Drove on towards Krista's place.... very cool sights.
MANY scooters of course, carrying all sorts of things from long 2x4 pieces of wood, some with a family of 4 or carrying a new born baby in the mothers arms, lots of women in high heels on scooters, so fun to see!
The telephone wires here are like huge masses of black wire... strung from pole to pole... I wish my camera was working to capture it all as I first came in.... I will def take pics of all this with Krista's camera during my stay!
I was trying to figure out if there were actual RULES of the road.. people were going every direction and scooters would weave in and out of cars and traffic... it was crazy and I thought NYC was scary driving.... it is not anything compared to here!
There were scooters on the sidewalk, on both sides of the roads going every direction... but somehow they make it work.. it really is ORGANIZED CHAOS!

I saw carts of food, candy, toys, balloons, cigarettes and more.. everyone had a push cart or stall that was parked on the sidewalk or road. Every other building seemed like a scooter repair shop. I even saw a man walking a med sized horse through traffic.
It is amazing to see this all... very different to any place I have travelled before and I like that!
I started to get sleepy and nodded off for a bit, was about 1 hour drive to Krista's,
We finally got there... I got out and paid the nice man who drove me! I then carried all my bags up the steps and went walking to find her building... found it, went in, up to 8th floor. Got her note on her door w/ her mail key... went down to her mailbox and got her apt key... nice work K!

Back up to floor 8.. inside her apartment.... thankful for A/C!!!! I dropped my bags, drank some water and was happy to be safe n sound at Krista's!
I took a nap and checked my email and waited for her to come home from school, I just woke up before she came in!
Soooo good to see her! She is so thin and fit, I am jealous!

We caught up and chatted and enjoyed sitting for a bit, then got dressed and ready for dinner out. Krista even braided my hair for me :) I was looking forward to that forever!
We took a cab to the markets and ate at some out door place. I ate some snapper and some veggies and drank water and guava juice! Yum. then we walked to see "SHOE" street.. so many shoes... I def want some! We went to FANNY's to get Ice Cream, yum.. I got Berry berry!

Cab home and off to bed.... well I went online and Krista went to bed! Good sleep!
Tomorrow is work out and enjoy the pool day for me!
Cheers