March 26, 2007
I did it 'on the cheap' as they say. I stored my luggage at the one counter in the airport. The guy tried to point me in direction of cabs back into town but that was about a third of what I had on me to spend, I was hoping for one more motorcycle ride but it was about a half hour into town so nixed that. Found out I could take the bus to town - for pennies. So I did. To be safe though for the return, I took a photo of the airport sign and the bus number - it came in handy when trying to find the return route.

Got to town, bought a few more cds and a dvd or two which I hope will play on region 1 dvd players. Anyone know if multi/universal region players are available in the states? maybe it'll play on a laptop??

anyway, I spent more than I meant to on the cds/dvds so found an alley to get some cheap eats - then I got a mani pedi and then I was browsing the menu at a bar to see if I wanted to stop there - two americans sitting outside said 'it's nice in here' and I explained I'm sure it was but that I had about 100,000 dong left and a few more hours to spend it in. we started chatting - they asked where I was from and one was from near Folsom, they invited me to sit down and bought me a saigon beer. two brothers - one has been in vietnam since October - both retired, one a correctional guard and the other a truck driver who moved to Nebraska in 1995 once California turned into a non-smoking state. They were nice to chat with, insisted I share some of their spring rolls even though I had already stuffed my face. I told them the one thing I really wanted to do before I left was revisit the blind institute massage place - they joined me. Don't think they much cared for the massage - it is vay different than deep tissue that's for cert! Lots more slapping/chopping and pressure points, but it is a nice way to support the community. and still within my budget. I also got cupped again - this time the bruises are even more purply.

Got the bus back to airport - had to find the alternate return route but the photos I took helped me find my way. The name for airport is just too long and confusing - Vietnamese is a very tough/tonal language, as I'm sure Chinese and the like are.

Got my bag out of storage, freshened up/changed in the loo and got ready for my flight.

Here is a scary though - I flew Qatar Airways from Ho Chi Minh City to Qatar and then from Q to Heathrow - the HCMC to Q leg was THE FIRST flight on this route - it made me a bit nervous but it was fine. I was even filmed waiting in line, they had alittle gift for everyone too - a small perfume of a patchouli scent variety.

The flight was not full at all, VAY courteous service, I made friends with the BEAUTIFUL indian flight attendant, I think she was just chuffed that I could say shoukria (thanks) that and the rest of the flight was mainly this group of vietnamese men all wearing viet air airserco jackets. Not quite sure what they were all doing going to qatar - they did not speak much english so could not answer me nor could they understand the flight attendants asking them NOT to use the loo once the fasten seatbelt signs came on.

one complaint - why do boys not flush the toilet? and why oh why do they miss the seat? and get the floor? everytime I have to take off my pants I worry about the cuffs getting oooky. EWWW. some of the guys kept smiling at me and motioning towards their beer. not sure why exactly.

the great part is that I got to spread out across three seats and sleep for a bit of that flight. flight ran late, worried about connecting flight in qatar - was a trip being there even for the fifteen minutes I was. the trip to London was a bit more crowded and not as courteous service, then again lots more people to serve.