www.SavioTran.com

I use to have plenty of it, now, I don’t have enough of it…

are still with me as I am back in the States. The sounds of constant honking riding through the city. The smell of divine foods being prepared for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The chaos of the traffic moving every which way but without accident. The beauty of the perfect green rice fields that clouds cast shadows on and the winds sway back and forth. Mountains that encapsulate cities, tower through the clouds, and reach toward the heavens were almost something out of a fantasy book. The faces of children running, playing and laughing. The patient of its people, my brothers and sisters…to help me understand.

in Vietnam has pass by so quickly. I have spent almost a month immersed in its culture, letting the beauty of its sights and sounds marinate in my mind and soul. Hearing stories, seeing pictures, watching videos can never take the place of actually being here. This country has character unlike any other place in the world.

I’m back in the city for the rest of my stay in Vietnam.  I started off in Phan Tiet, a small beach town where my parents grew up, then skipped over to Mui Ne, a touristy beach town resort, then took an escapade up north toward the city of Nha Trang and finished the trip with a cool stay in Da Lat, a city atop a mountain.

I have some time to gather my thoughts , post some pictures, some videos and write about the journey.  Sleep still seems to be the enemy and with plenty of internet access in the city, I should have videos and pictures posted soon. 

 Update: Pictures and new videos are up.  For pictures click on the Photos link and for videos go here

Just spent the morning and dipped into the ocean.  The city is beautiful.  It’s nestled between towering mountains and its mouth sears out to open waters. 

I’m getting ready to leave for Da Lat but thought I’d steal some internet from a hotel to give you all an update.  Pictures will be posted when I get back to Saigon.

Xe Om’s honking.  Rooster’s cockidoodling.  Dogs barking.  Pots and Pans clanging.  Loud music.  Pots of Pho stock brewing.  Bittersweetness of cafe sua da.  Smokiness of Thit Nuong.  Crunchiness of Cha Gio.  Smog.  Pollution lining the streets as well as capacitating the lungs.  Rough hands of someone who’s put in REAL 18 hour days.  Smoothness of freshly picked Mango.  Dirt and dust hitting your eyes, sticking to your skin. the baking 32 C sun. 

That pretty much explains it.  I’ve been here for 5 days and I’m averaging almost 3 hours of sleep a day.  The time difference is 12 hours ahead from EST.  The adjustment period is taking longer than I anticipated.  I’ve been eating at odd times and “sleeping” when I would normally be awake.

So today I woke up, fever, muscle aches, and a huge headache.  I took a couple of advil and maybe catch a nap but seems like a bad idea if I ever want to adjust.  Hopefully this will go away by tomorrow.  I’m heading to my parents “home” in Phan Tiet in a couple days.  I will spend Tet there then head off to Mui Ne, Da Lat, and Nha Trang. 

I’ve added a couple of new videos. http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=svtran79

PS…I finally got my luggage.  Thanks to H and Bro!

for the youth of Vietnam to be elated.  Deflated ballons, used tennis balls, old bikes, whatever Americans think of being 3rd rate toys, the kids here would probably find great pleasure playing with it.

 I had a chance to visit my Uncle’s family on the other side of Saigon, just on the outskirts.  He’s the oldest on my mom’s side of the family.  Along the front of their home consist of a sewing shop and a hair salon, that two of my cousins run.  Behind the storefront is their home.  Their home consist of an extended family including their daughters/son and their kids.  A home/storefront made for 3…almost triple that. 

Their kids:  witty and smart.  I believe it takes a lot of both to live here in conditions they live in.  I was jealous, their Vietnamese is about 3 times better than mine.  They took me around their neighborhood where homestores were lined close to street curbs.  We walked as they talked to one another, joking, laughing and playing while of course dodging the occasional motorbikes and bicycles. 

At home, they do not have many toys.  The ones they do have are enough to keep them happy.  The real happiness is found through family not material things.

I’m going on 40 hours with about 2 hours of sleep.  I could probably sleep easier knowing that my luggage with me.  So yes, I’ve been wearing the same clothes for the last two days, I’m just now going to brush my teeth and I have yet to take a shower.  I’m not going to worry about that too much now, it’s out of my hands.

My cousin and his wife were holding a sign for me outside after the mayhem in baggage claim.  I would say there was a good 500 people standing outside waiting for family to come in from various parts of the world, some returning home.  Though his was the smallest sign, I caught it out the corner of my eye:  Vinh Tran.  We got to shoot the shit for a little bit over bowls of pho (Vietnamese noodle soup).  It was mighty tasty for $1.20 for the 3 of us.

I got my first real experience out on the streets of Saigon.  My cousin, An, took me out on his Honda motorbike and we rode through chaos.  Everyone drives motorbikes here (not like the ones in the states).  I could literally put out my hands and touch at least 5 others around me they were driving that close.  It’s almost like NYC traffic but constantly moving, no stopping, driving on the wrong sides of the streets, traffic lights? and the aromas of foods from vendors who setup shop along the sidewalks.

I think a nap might do me good but I sure do need a shower first.