Saigon

Since arriving in Ho Chi Minh, I had a couple of hours of R&R where I bought a few stuff for the kids and the husband. There were a couple of other items I wanted to purchase but there wasn't enough time and I thought I would have time to return to the shops later in the week. I now know that's wishful thinking since it's been a 8am-10pm meetings and dinners since Day 1.

Ho Chi Minh reminds me of Singapore and Malaysia in the 70s. Everything is chaotic. Traffic comes from all directions so you are literally putting your life on the line when you try to cross the streets. Those on motorcycles don't have to wear helmets. Families of three or four were all riding the motorbikes.

That took me to the time when I used to visit my uncles and aunts in Melaka when I was a little girl. My late uncle would take my two sisters and I on his Vespa to our favourite dessert place where we would have ice-kachang. My uncle would have my youngest sister and my eldest sister sitting behind him, while I take the coveted spot of standing infront of him while he took all four of us to the dessert place. The trick was keeping his view of the road clear while I still get to enjoy the view - that wasn't too hard since I was not very tall. We used to look forward to that ride everytime we go visit.

Enterpreneurship is alive and kicking at the streets of Ho Chi Minh. Everywhere you turn, even if you're not at the touristy District 1 area, there are people who are selling everything t-shirts, food, drinks, almost anything you'd ever need. But they are polite and gentle, none of that aggressive attitude from the street sellers in Bangkok or Phuket.

And the women here are all slim and pretty, so the husband is right. I do have another story to tell about that, but for now, it's goodbye Saigon. It's been fun.