Vietnam
2014 - Day 5
March 02, 2014: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 94 - Sunny
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4TB. Even if your camera is equipped with a 4 terabyte
flash card, it could not capture all the images of this city
in constant
motion. Started the day with two routes
– One going on a walk to Ben Thanh market and the other with
an escorted local
chef tour.
Walking to the
market was filled with streets of early start
of day life – workers, security, guardsmen, and everyone
in general it
seemed
was having sit down noodle broth meals for breakfast. Guess
Denny’s restaurants would have
to add
“Grand Slam Pho” if opening here.
An official
sight of Sai Gon is the plastic 18” high stool –
used to “squat sit” everywhere. Easy to
stack and easy to
unstack for more customers.
During the walk, encountered an unknown parade full of horns, cymbals,
and other
objects to
make loud bashing sounds.
The market
built in the early 1900s by the French is mostly
tourist textiles in the front section and real meats and
spices in the
rear. Encountered someone from the same home
address learning about the market from a local
Chef which was
the precursor to
a cooking class.
After the
sensory overload, and olfactory overload, time for
photo session and hopefully “shoot from the hip”
local faces
and life
sample. Down from the market is the Reunification Palace.
The rear entry with large park is
for locals
only. For some reason, guess my appearance didn’t
have the local flavor. Security officer
gave very
direct
instructions to use the ticketed front entry.
Stopped at the
park across from the Palace and watched the
constant flow of tour buses with tourist taking pictures
next to the
tanks
parked up front. Not sure if one was the
original ‘crashing the front gate’ tank in Southern
Vietnamese
history;
however, the 1960s styled building does have it’s full share of
diplomatic
challenges.
Next few stops
included the assortment of French inspired
architecture, including hotels, Gustave Effiel’s post
office (more
known for his Parisian
tower), city hall, and music hall.
Without the French designs of parks,
boulevards,
and stylish buildings,
it may have been a large city of just dwellings.
Architecture
here is doing a 180 degree turn from French
roots. Eclectic glass towers are going
up everywhere,
including the Texco tower with
large saucer extending from its
peak for viewing. Accros the Sai Gon
river is a
‘blank canvas’
of an island with drawn plans to be a new city center. Call it Shanghai II.
Walking around
the inner city included many, many offers to
shine my shoes. Wonder what would happen
if
footware is changed to sandals tomorrow?
Offers for pedicure? Most of
these ‘small scaled entrepreneurs’
would cease
after a couple of “No’s”. A few motorcycle ride offers can
along,
too.
Speaking of
motorcycles again – How do you transport
construction supplies? Easy. Just put a ladder
perpendicular
across the
handle bars and then one stacks scaffolding on top. Had to be
seen to believe. How many bushels of
vegetables can
be stacked
on the back? Counted nine as the maximum
before “wheelie syndrome” starts. How
many family members can ride one motorcycle?
Counted six at most. Amazing how
many the handlebars can hold.
Returned back
to the hotel to enjoy afternoon pool time – on
the roof overlooking both the river and city.
Very
popular option for many guests
German, Korean, Aussies, Tokyoites (spike colored hair gives it away –
women, too),
Brits, Hong Kong crowd with
bright pink polka dot swimwear, and
some very verbose Chicagoans were all seeking
heat
relief. Looming over the pool was a new building
working on floor number 35. Seems Sunday
is not an
applicable off-day. Also,
wonder if they can hear the country music being played at the pool? Nin hao Pod’nuh!
Looks like it could be water puppet theater tonight or
another walk around the lights, sounds, and breeze of
Sai Gon
evening. (Ended up being none of the above - sleep drove the
choice)
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