Ho Chi Minh City, Saigon, has a population of about 8 million people and is the largest city in Vietnam. There are at least 4 million motorbikes on the road, and I am guessing it was doubled the day we were there!
Funny, many people do not pay attention to the stop lights. They may as well not exist. As we were leaving the city, everyone but us went through the red lights. Our tour guide said they only follow the lights if police are around. If caught, their bike gets taken away for 4 months. Where do they store 4 million bikes for four months, I thought. We were told the quality of life is improving. Men can expect to live to the ripe old age of 68 now. People in the city make 3x more then those in the country, up to $3,000 a year for city folk. It is crowded, noisy and dirty. Horns blare constantly. Maybe I am sensory overload but I did not enjoy the short time I spent in this city. It is too crowded, too noisy. No way to get away. The sail in was so charming, quiet and beautiful that when we got within a few miles of the city, the water was polluted, the air smelled, and the city was covered in smog.
Funny, many people do not pay attention to the stop lights. They may as well not exist. As we were leaving the city, everyone but us went through the red lights. Our tour guide said they only follow the lights if police are around. If caught, their bike gets taken away for 4 months. Where do they store 4 million bikes for four months, I thought. We were told the quality of life is improving. Men can expect to live to the ripe old age of 68 now. People in the city make 3x more then those in the country, up to $3,000 a year for city folk. It is crowded, noisy and dirty. Horns blare constantly. Maybe I am sensory overload but I did not enjoy the short time I spent in this city. It is too crowded, too noisy. No way to get away. The sail in was so charming, quiet and beautiful that when we got within a few miles of the city, the water was polluted, the air smelled, and the city was covered in smog.
We visited a museum, visited China Town and its market, saw a water puppet show, viewed the basement at the Reunification Palace ( I think they still hate us here), visited Sea Goddess Temple, and had a trishaw ride. The best thing was the trishaw ride. The truck and I (above) met in the middle of the intersection. I was spared. Motorbikes ruled the rode and snarled traffic. Crossing a street is a death wish. Families live together. The elders live on the first floor and the youngest of the families live on the top floor of very skinny buildings. No one can afford to own their own home.
Angkor Wat...Cambodia , 100 degrees tomorrow. I am on sensory overload right now. Too many ports, countries, cities, cultures.....everything is starting to blur. Maybe a dip in the pool when we get to the hotel tonight will be just the thing I need.
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