Show me the Angry Birds

     It took me quite some time to form my opinion of Vietnam. I'm not too sure why, maybe it was because of all the aggressive hassling within the tourism industry. However, after spending almost two weeks here I finally let myself fall in love with the place. Sia Gon (Siagon, or Ho Chi Minh City) was absolutely amazing. It was quickly added to the list of cities I could be an expat in. The hustle and bustle was really no bother. There were trees in the streets, friendly people, and cheap eats. There is more to do in terms of tourism as compared to Hanoi. I would recommend the Cu Chi Tunnels, the war museum, and if you are a fan of French Modernism - the Re-unification Palace. The war sights are depressing, scary, and one sided. However, as an American,  it was important to see because you got insight into why it was so bloody and how a soldier could have became so trigger happy by being forced into a conflict that still has very little explanation as to why we were there in the first place. The guilt will definitely surface, but I was honestly left feeling empty and angry, often asking myself why we do this to each other and what do we really gain in the end?

     We did a day trip into the Mekong. It was a tour, unfortunately, but it was the only way to really get down there with a little time and no local language. But for about $10 US a pop, it was worth it to get on various boats and cruise along the canals and rivers. It's a place I wish I had money for, or at least had a reputable (and findable) eco-tour. Maybe next time.

     I won't bore you anymore with our itinerary, as SE Asia really isn't about the itinerary but who you meet and the experiences you share. We met some amazing people at our last hostel which made me wish that I had the means to continue on traveling. We wandered around some lesser-known areas of the city and caught glimpses of everyday life outside of District 1. However, sharing some beers on a sidewalk under a monsoon sky reminded me of what really matters in life and why I will never stop traveling.

     Once you push through the bull shit of a developing country's tourism industry, Vietnam reveals itself as an enchanting place. I can write, post pictures, and send postcards 'til the cows come home, but the reality is you just had to be there.

-M

    

     It took me quite some time to form my opinion of Vietnam. I'm not too sure why, maybe it was because of all the aggressive hassling within the tourism industry. However, after spending almost two weeks here I finally let myself fall in love with the place. Sia Gon (Siagon, or Ho Chi Minh City) was absolutely amazing. It was quickly added to the list of cities I could be an expat in. The hustle and bustle was really no bother. There were trees in the streets, friendly people, and cheap eats. There is more to do in terms of tourism as compared to Hanoi. I would recommend the Cu Chi Tunnels, the war museum, and if you are a fan of French Modernism - the Re-unification Palace. The war sights are depressing, scary, and one sided. However, as an American,  it was important to see because you got insight into why it was so bloody and how a soldier could have became so trigger happy by being forced into a conflict that still has very little explanation as to why we were there in the first place. The guilt will definitely surface, but I was honestly left feeling empty and angry, often asking myself why we do this to each other and what do we really gain in the end?

     We did a day trip into the Mekong. It was a tour, unfortunately, but it was the only way to really get down there with a little time and no local language. But for about $10 US a pop, it was worth it to get on various boats and cruise along the canals and rivers. It's a place I wish I had money for, or at least had a reputable (and findable) eco-tour. Maybe next time.

     I won't bore you anymore with our itinerary, as SE Asia really isn't about the itinerary but who you meet and the experiences you share. We met some amazing people at our last hostel which made me wish that I had the means to continue on traveling. We wandered around some lesser-known areas of the city and caught glimpses of everyday life outside of District 1. However, sharing some beers on a sidewalk under a monsoon sky reminded me of what really matters in life and why I will never stop traveling.

     Once you push through the bull shit of a developing country's tourism industry, Vietnam reveals itself as an enchanting place. I can write, post pictures, and send postcards 'til the cows come home, but the reality is you just had to be there.

-M

    

     It took me quite some time to form my opinion of Vietnam. I'm not too sure why, maybe it was because of all the aggressive hassling within the tourism industry. However, after spending almost two weeks here I finally let myself fall in love with the place. Sia Gon (Siagon, or Ho Chi Minh City) was absolutely amazing. It was quickly added to the list of cities I could be an expat in. The hustle and bustle was really no bother. There were trees in the streets, friendly people, and cheap eats. There is more to do in terms of tourism as compared to Hanoi. I would recommend the Cu Chi Tunnels, the war museum, and if you are a fan of French Modernism - the Re-unification Palace. The war sights are depressing, scary, and one sided. However, as an American,  it was important to see because you got insight into why it was so bloody and how a soldier could have became so trigger happy by being forced into a conflict that still has very little explanation as to why we were there in the first place. The guilt will definitely surface, but I was honestly left feeling empty and angry, often asking myself why we do this to each other and what do we really gain in the end?

     We did a day trip into the Mekong. It was a tour, unfortunately, but it was the only way to really get down there with a little time and no local language. But for about $10 US a pop, it was worth it to get on various boats and cruise along the canals and rivers. It's a place I wish I had money for, or at least had a reputable (and findable) eco-tour. Maybe next time.

     I won't bore you anymore with our itinerary, as SE Asia really isn't about the itinerary but who you meet and the experiences you share. We met some amazing people at our last hostel which made me wish that I had the means to continue on traveling. We wandered around some lesser-known areas of the city and caught glimpses of everyday life outside of District 1. However, sharing some beers on a sidewalk under a monsoon sky reminded me of what really matters in life and why I will never stop traveling.

     Once you push through the bull shit of a developing country's tourism industry, Vietnam reveals itself as an enchanting place. I can write, post pictures, and send postcards 'til the cows come home, but the reality is you just had to be there.

-M

    

     It took me quite some time to form my opinion of Vietnam. I'm not too sure why, maybe it was because of all the aggressive hassling within the tourism industry. However, after spending almost two weeks here I finally let myself fall in love with the place. Sia Gon (Siagon, or Ho Chi Minh City) was absolutely amazing. It was quickly added to the list of cities I could be an expat in. The hustle and bustle was really no bother. There were trees in the streets, friendly people, and cheap eats. There is more to do in terms of tourism as compared to Hanoi. I would recommend the Cu Chi Tunnels, the war museum, and if you are a fan of French Modernism - the Re-unification Palace. The war sights are depressing, scary, and one sided. However, as an American,  it was important to see because you got insight into why it was so bloody and how a soldier could have became so trigger happy by being forced into a conflict that still has very little explanation as to why we were there in the first place. The guilt will definitely surface, but I was honestly left feeling empty and angry, often asking myself why we do this to each other and what do we really gain in the end?

     We did a day trip into the Mekong. It was a tour, unfortunately, but it was the only way to really get down there with a little time and no local language. But for about $10 US a pop, it was worth it to get on various boats and cruise along the canals and rivers. It's a place I wish I had money for, or at least had a reputable (and findable) eco-tour. Maybe next time.

     I won't bore you anymore with our itinerary, as SE Asia really isn't about the itinerary but who you meet and the experiences you share. We met some amazing people at our last hostel which made me wish that I had the means to continue on traveling. We wandered around some lesser-known areas of the city and caught glimpses of everyday life outside of District 1. However, sharing some beers on a sidewalk under a monsoon sky reminded me of what really matters in life and why I will never stop traveling.

     Once you push through the bull shit of a developing country's tourism industry, Vietnam reveals itself as an enchanting place. I can write, post pictures, and send postcards 'til the cows come home, but the reality is you just had to be there.

-M