Saturday, July 22, 2006
When I was in 'nam.
Arrived today in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam after a long and arduous journey. Left Cambodia at 7 AM, got to the border by 11. Vietnamese customs is the most bureaucratic process I have ever been through. First an official looks and stamps your visa. Then your passport is passed to an official who stamps your passport. From there, you go to an official who stamps your entry form. Then you pay another official 30 cents entry tax. Then you go see another official, who takes one look at you and declares that you are healthy enough to enter the country. Then you go to another three officials who x-ray your bags. Then you go to another official who looks at your passport and makes sure the other officials have done everything properly and takes special care to make sure that the picture on the passport matches your face. Whew. This whole process TAKES AN HOUR.
Ho Chin Minh is a bustling, busy city. There are so many bikes on the street, one is taking their life in their hands when they cross the street.
I'm beginning to get a bit weary of the road. I've been on the move for almost two months. I'm starting to get tired of the backpack and meeting new people every two days and then saying goodbye. Backpacking is fun, but also in a way superficial. You don't learn that much about the local culture and your relationships are all transitory. I shouldn't complain because there are far worse fates than mine, but I am definitely looking forward to getting home to Vancouverand seeing my friends in Canada.
Ho Chin Minh is a bustling, busy city. There are so many bikes on the street, one is taking their life in their hands when they cross the street.
I'm beginning to get a bit weary of the road. I've been on the move for almost two months. I'm starting to get tired of the backpack and meeting new people every two days and then saying goodbye. Backpacking is fun, but also in a way superficial. You don't learn that much about the local culture and your relationships are all transitory. I shouldn't complain because there are far worse fates than mine, but I am definitely looking forward to getting home to Vancouverand seeing my friends in Canada.
