I heart third world countries

On Thursday, I snuck out of work, got the base bus, and was off to the airport. The flight was fine. I watched a Righteous Kill, which was a very good movie. I got to Taiwan where I had a 12 hour lay over. I booked a hotel because before hand I knew I would not want to hang at the airport. I stayed at a Holiday Inn Express which I was the nicest hotel I have stayed in while Asia. It was late when I got to Taiwan. I walked down the street, another place with no sidewalks and went to the 7/11. I did not think much of Taiwan, but at least I got the stamps in passport. Early the next morning, I took a taxi back to the airport and headed to Ho Chi Minh where I learned the people prefer to call it Saigon. I had to wait a long time for my visa, butit looks great in my passport. It was hot again not New Orleans not Vegas hot, but I guess what call only be described as Southeast Asia hot. I got in a taxi and saw the most chaotic driving situation I had ever seen. Imagine no rules, no one stops, no lanes, driving with and against traffic in the same lane. I really had never seen anything like it. My taxi ride to the guesthouse was 100000 dong or like 5 dollars. I was staying in the backpacker area and was nervous about my 15 dollar a night room. However, it was nice with a bed, bathroom, tv with hbo, a lot better than I expected. I unpacked my things and headed out to explore the city. As soon as I walked out of the hostel, I was approached by Mr. Phong whom was a scooter driver. We negotiated a price around 300000 dong or 15 dollars where I would have a driver for the day. I never had my own scooter driver. Anyway, he spoke minimal English, but told me his sister lived in CA and that made us family. I went with it. Anyway, he brought me to a Church (run down church that they are proud of), Pagoda (religious stuff), and the War Rememrants museum (which was sad and showed horrible pictures from the war and the after effects from the war). After the museum, I felt the need to apologize to Mr. Phong for America and he accepted my apology in exchange for lunch. We went to a local place where I was very concerned about not having nuts and not eating dog. We ordered beef with spices and pineapple with chili pepper both were very good. Mr. Phong was drinking beer which cost like 50 cents. I felt Mr. Phong could handle his liquor and was not worried about drunk driving here. I truly believe you have to grow up there in order to be able to drive in that. When I rode, I always looked up or out and tried not to notice the millions of people coming at us with their scooters. After lunch, I had him drop me off at the big market. The market sold everything food, souvenirs, clothes, and counterfeit goods. I got a Coach wallet that I swear looks like the real thing for 8 dollars. It was so hot there that I caught another scooter for like a dollar and went back to the guesthouse. On Saturday, I went on my tour to see rural life in the Mekong Delta. The tour picked me up and we drove about three hours to the Delta area. In addition, there were only four people on my tour and non were overly friendly. I was glad about that. We took a boat ride and explored the area. We went to one area where they were making food, tropical fruits garden, and lunch. It was a nice tour. However, on the way home, I saw someone on a scooter get hit by a van and there was blood everywhere. Apparently, 100 people die everyday on scooters in Saigon. On Saturday nite, I ate at another Italian restaurant and talked to the 80 yr old man from Australia whom had traveled all over the world, but never wanted to go to America. His wife of 33 yrs had died 3 yrs ago and he was here with his Vietnamese I guess girlfriend of 2 and half yrs whom had just dumped him. On Sunday, I had arraigned from Mr. Phong to take me somewhere locals go and he took me to this Amusement/Zoo/Park where they were only Vietnamese. Needless to say, I stood out and little children where pointing and running up to say hello and ran away when I responded. I have always thought of Big Eyes as a complement, but I am pretty sure it is not a complement here. After I had him drop me at the market, where I bought last minute crap, but got a massage for 12 dollars. That night I met Mr. Sydney for dinner and had the most boring dinner of my life. He rambled on and on and on and on. After, I went to bed and prepared for my journey home. Yesterday, I took every mode of transportation with a scooter to the airport, plane, bus, train, and taxi. I started at 8 AM and did not get to base till 1 AM. Today, I am so sleepy.