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December in Japan means incessant lights, snow, and best of all, time to travel! Jeff and I decided to continue our world tour and head to southern Vietnam and Cambodia for our winter vacation. Unlike last year’s trip to Thailand, NOTHING was planned. Beyond our flight and place to stay in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC and Saigon), we were going to take it as it comes. We ended up with a full non-stop itinerary and I wouldn’t change a moment of our trip. It was phenomenal! Read the next few blogs to see what adventures unfolded….

Moto, Moto, Everywhere

Casey Lary
2007-03-10 17:22:15

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shopping districts, pointed out the old French colonial architecture, tried to explain Vietnamese history with his broken English (hey better than my Vietnamese that's for sure), and safely navigated me through the motor-crazy streets aka war zone. Again I was terrified and closed my eyes every time we entered a 4 lane (that means like 20 lanes in moto terms) street. At the Norte Dame Cathedral we ran into fellow Hiroshima JETs. We reminisced at the Vietnam War or better known as the 'American War' Remnants museum, which has no qualms showing the affects of the war, highlighting America's follies. Not a proud place to be an American. It is interesting to compare the Vietnam War Museum to
local market on the same street as the boys's house
the Atomic Bomb Museum in Hiroshima (both areas being attacked severly by the American forces) because they both portray very different messages. In Vietnam they highlight that America sucks, where as in the Hiroshima museum the main focus is Peace and remembrance. Last on the itinerary was a trip to the War Reunification Headquarters. After the city tour we decided to pop into Casa de Andrew and John to see if they were down to go get a massage or head out somewhere around town. The boys had a different agenda. It was just about beer o'clock on that fine Christmas Eve day evening and the Bia Hoi 33 was calling our names. It was Scottish Josh's birthday and we were going to help him celebrate. Here are some interesting facts about Vietnamese beer: 1) It is common to have a big chunk of ice in your beer to keep it cold, 2) It is sold in plastic gas containers, 3) 3 liters costs about a dollar, 3) Cheers is YO!, and 4) your cup just never seems to go empty.

Since it was Christmas Eve we later headed to the cathedral to take part in festivities. We were lost amongst the crowds and missed the procession, and instead just celebrated with all the others in the streets. It was out of control. I felt like it was ...