Saturday, August 1, 2009

1 million gone!

Vietnamese Dong that is. USD 1 = VND 17,500 or so. I was an instant
millionaires. And then I spent my million.

We bought some paper art work and it was 670,000.00. Then two cups of
Vietnamese coffee at the Rex Hotel where the US officers gathered
during the Vietnam War, 135,000.00. That was a highway robbery for
only two cups of coffee with VAT and service charges. 47,000.00 for
two paper hand-rolled cards. Then the best value afternoon tea at the
Foreign Supermarket just a block from Sheraton. The nicest Vietnamese
drip coffee I have had so far, carrot cake and a scone for a grand
total of 85,000.00. So there you go, a million gone.

We walked all day. That's the best to take in a new city. People
just want you to give them businesses. Mostly taxi, and rides. They
tried soliciting but not pushy at all. No big deal; but after China
and India, I just didn't like being approached. You stop, you just
get "harassed" in my own version anyway.

People are friendly. But be careful not walking along the river with
your bag or camera. Snatchers on motorbikes.

We had a fresh coconut in a local fruit shop. Staff couldn't speak
English but fingers and smile did the communicating. We had one for
10,000. Less than one dollar US.

Along the roadside, there was always a small little 'coffee shop'.
One small table, couple stools and couple bottles of soft drink.
Coffee a plenty. Then walk some more and then sidewalk pedicure. A
basin, a pedicure tool and a towel. That was it.

So, that....

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