First 2 Days in HCMC!

First off, sorry for not posting anything earlier. The government here bans certain websites, and this happens to be one of them (along with facebook). Finally, after a few hours I found out that I can access many blocked websites using free proxy servers that are easy to find after doing a simple google search.

So I arrived in HCMC at about 10:30pm. As soon as I walked out of the airport with my baggage looking for a taxi driver, the smell was very different and the heat was intense. During the flight I was a little stressed about having to find a ride from the airport to my room, but not 30 seconds after I walked outside, a taxi driver walked up to me, and asked me if I needed a taxi. I said yes, he took my bags for me, and piled them into his car. It took about 20 minutes to get to my place. My room does not completely live up to Western standards, but it definitely serves its purpose. It is very clean and comfortable, but small and with no windows :( The bathroom is a small open space with a toilet on the left, a shower spigot in the middle, and a sink on the right.

When I woke up the next morning (Sunday), I decided to explore the city a little. When I walked out to my street, it was MUCH different from the night before- tons of people, motor bikes, horns, and the sidewalks were completely crowded with vendors selling everything from hair products to live fish for cooking. Walking down the street was intense... I was the only white person and everyone was staring at me. I remember feeling like I was on a completely different planet, and at this point I began to start rethinking whether I would really be able to stay here for more than 1 or 2 months! After about 45 minutes of wandering, I needed to return to my room to read more of my Vietnam travel books... I was so unprepared! I am having trouble getting pictures on my computer, but watch this youtube video for small glimpse of what the traffic is like here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azxQx1tX-0o

Here is a picture I found online of the alley off Co Bac Street that leads to my hotel:

http://lh3.ggpht.com/_RmQd_T2z78o/SdhiQRONyMI/AAAAAAAAA0c/_e3edTstdWI/Vietnam+218-edit.jpg

If you were standing right where this picture is taken looking straight ahead, you would turn directly around 180 degrees, walk 10 feet, and the entrance to the guesthouse is on your left. When I first arrived at the place, I was a little disturbed... a similar looking area in NYC would NOT be somewhere I want to be. I've learned since then, however, that this is one of the best areas to be in the city- near center city, in District 1, and it is favorable in HCMC to live down an ally way because it is much quieter. It seems most expatriates live either down an ally or in a tall apt building.

Anyway, after going back to my place, I made a game plan- to go to center city and find some food I feel safe eating (simple enough). So I left my place for the second time, mustered up the courage to take a $.50 motor bike taxi ride to center city (which I now know is only a 10 minute walk), and started walking around the area. Here I felt much more comfortable, there were a bunch more tourists and the sidewalk stands were replaced with small shops (selling everything from backpacks to cameras), big shops (I saw Gucci, internet cafes, coffee shops, etc), and very upscale-looking restaurants. I kept walking around until I found some other tourists who I felt comfortable talking to. I found two guys about my age and asked them if they knew of a good place for lunch. They pointed to a big red sign, "Pho 2000." Here is a picture:

http://www.foodgps.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/08/asia-2005-volume-2-214.jpg

Pho is Vietnam's famous dish- I knew this from my reading. So I went there and had Chicken Pho (basically chicken noodle soup, but MUCH better). Including two bottles of water, the meal cost me 30,000 Dong, or about $1.50 USD. And here is a picture of Pho for you:

http://www.pho2000.com/image/obj346geo368shd94pg10p2.jpg

After eating, I started getting pretty tired from jet lag and I decided to go back and rest. I was asleep by 6pm.

The next day was my first day of TEFL training. The course takes place from 8:30am-4pm Mon-Fri for four weeks. The first day was AMAZING. It restored my faith, reminding me why I want to be here! The instructors are very good at what they do, and the others in the class are so much fun. I met two guys, Ben and Ryan, both from North Western US. Ryan is living about 10 mins from me and at a friend's house whom he knew previously and has been here for over a year. Ryan has been showing me around and such, pointing out good restaurants and bars and telling me where I can go to get certain things, etc. Ben I found out is living below me in the same hotel. Him and I were exploring a little after class, which is MUCH easier than wondering alone. Tonight, we had dinner at a sidewalk stand outside our guesthouse (a huge plate of rice, chicken, herbs, sauces, iced tea, and a banana for $.75!!!) which was cooked to absolute perfection, and then got a drink at the top floor of the Sheraton! The view from the bar at the 23rd floor is breathtaking. I took a pic with my phone, but I can't get the picture message to send to my email!

After today, I am beginning to really like it here and get used to the extraordinary way of life. I would DEFINITELY recommend visiting! Anyone who does not have an experience like this is really missing out... I feel like a king here- the natives are so nice and cater to my every move. Even when I walk into restaurants people smile and open the door for me and say, "hello, nice to meet you."

Anyway, I think I've written enough.. time for bed! I'm planning on spending the weekend snorkeling at the beach outside of the city, so I'll keep you posted!