Saigon

The Mekong was definitely an experience, but I am so thankful for the refreshing breath of Saigon. We found Madame Cuc's Guesthouse 64 and are being treated like princesses. The girls who work here speak great English and are the most accommodating people I have meet thus far. The rooms are spotless and they offer us tea, coffee, or juice anytime we walk in the lobby. A hot shower took off most of the layers of grime from the Mekong trip, but I think I will live the rest of my life with a few of those layers still on.

The city is fun! Some 6 million people live here and it is said that 3 million of those people own motorbikes. The streets are packed with bikes darting every which way. There are delicious restaurants, beautiful parks, modern skyscrapers, and colonial architecture. It is nice to walk around the city- get some movement in the ole legs, and the internet is appreciated- who knew I was getting so addicted to technology. Art museums and a huge market are only blocks away from our guesthouse. We sweat through a few laps through the market- women grabbing our arms in encouragement to purchase one of their t-shirts or sets of chopsticks. "Buy Something." "What you looking for." My witty responses move to an ignoring silence by the end of the few days.

Many people ask us where we are from. We spent some time discussing the best answer, for honestly, being an American here seems a bit embarrassing. They call the "Vietnam War" the "American War" here. The museums and art are full of stories that bring shameful tears to my eyes. For a few days we responded "Canada." I mean Minnesota is pretty fricking close, but then I decided that I can't help where I was born and the war wasn't my idea. The first woman I told I was American (they don't know the "United States") was the pharmacist. After the three second delay and then my honest response, she busted out her passport to show me her visas from last year and this upcoming year for the US... and with a gleam in her eye, then came the photo album. Pictures of her in front of Walmart, Sears, Shamu, and a few other staples of America. This was the first of three photo albums I have seen in Saigon upon my response of "America." The cyclo drivers (bikes pushing one-seater carriages) are men who seem to be old enough that they must have some sort of "American War" experience. The most awkward response to "America" was an owner of some restaurant... "Everyone knows America. You are very famous for all the things you have done." I felt his eyes seeking deep into mine, "I was just born there." The mood lightened and he brought us some of the best food we had eaten yet in that country!

Everyone's English is great, the city is very easy to tourist around. We saw the main sights the first two days we were there. The headaches were on and off still, but knowing that I had medical assistance available seemed to bring a sense of calmness over the problem.

March 24th- I woke up at 5 in the morning to my stomach practicing a gymnastic floor routine. I huddled into a ball, primitive sense of protection. I was Ill. After 3 hours of running from my toilet to the bed, I dug out the medicine bag and talked myself into eating an Imodium. Our tour began at 8 a.m that day. I laid on the bed until 10 minutes to 8 and slowly descended the 6 floors of spiraling stairs.

The Cu Chi tunnels were not skip-able in my mind, but hearing that it was a two hour bus ride to the sights definitely gave me second thoughts. I hurt. My head was spinning and my stomach was twisting, I went from freezing to nauseous to exhausted. All day was painful. The tunnels were wild to see, so small. I cannot believe people lived in these tunnels for years, hiding and attacking. Children were soldiers in this community, some of the tunnel entrances were only big enough for a small child to enter and exit! We crawled through one tunnel that was expanded and buffed for tourists for about 30 feet- and that was enough! It was even light a little and still so stressful to be in such a cramped quarter so many feet underground. I couldn't even stand by the time we made it to the War Museum. I sat and waited for the girls to gather information from all the buildings of photos and stories. We went home, climbed the 6 floors (which actually is about 8) and I fell asleep for a few hours while Lex and Leah shopped around. I started some antibiotics that night, and the ladies brought me back to health by picking up some dinner and gatorade for this dehydrated girl. I feel fantastic now...

I cannot believe that this journey is nearing the end. I am focused on loving my last few weeks here, but I am so excited for this spring and summer. All my doors are open and I am free with a new wave of life and love that I am sooo thankful for! As always, the universe has given me exactly what I needed!
After a little under a week in southern Vietnam, Leah leaves us to fly back to the states and lexie and I hop some motorbikes to get on the night train which will bring us half way up the coast.
Later- I love you all!