Disgraceful America

2nd September

Good morning Vietnam we said for nearly the last time. We are on the last day in HCMC (Saigon) and have a full itinerary for the day. As it is Independance Day right here in Vietnam, well what a way to spend it than by going to the War Remnanats museum. But first we need some food. We stumbled down the street with our bellies rumbling, and ready to take on the all you can eat pasta buffet at Pepperoni's Pizza (It has become a favourite of ours). On arrival, there was no pasta in sight but the place was quiet full, we thought the hungry devils have eaten the lot, so we ask the question "Is there a pasta buffet today miss", the reply we got was "No, only Monday to Friday", then David says "ah good, lucky its Tuesday", but no it was not ment to be......she was just not that smart, I guess. We walked down the street and finding a place to eat was not a problem, it was a question of what you want to eat and how much you wanna pay. But mexican was the choice of the day. We enjoyed our fajitas, and before leaving we were approached by a friendly cyclo taxi, he showed us his book of all the comments left by so called tourists. Of course, he had a fantastic recommendations by everyone. He was the most honest, the most kind , the most trustworthy and knowledgebale cyclo-rider there is. So I ask you this, if that is the case why is his price of 200,000 dong sounds ridiculous. So we said kindly no, and started walking when he accepts our offer of 50,000 dong instead. We presume they are making money, because why would you do it otherwise.
On route to the main post office, which is a lovely French style building, we got the whole sob story of how poor his family is, and how he works every day from 7am to 10pm. How he needs a tip for a beer later. And so on, and so on. In the post office, more of the same followed. The bureau de change where we were getting dollars for Cambodia, tried overcharging us and calling it commission. Then when we were having a problem with that, she didn't even want to give us the dollars. Then when David went back to change more money her excuse was that she needs to keep dollars for the bank in the morning......(what a woman, thats all I can say). Just because we didn't see why we should pay for her beer aswell, she wouldn't give us any dollars. What a day, so far!

Angela

(she is tanking about something...)

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David

(Can't com...plane)

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AT the museum we spent a good hour and a half, it was a very real and scary place. The photographs displayed in there make you feel ill. It is unbelievable that these were actual people that endured all this. (And the funny thing is, they still cling on to the dollar even though the banks don't want them too).

American Soldier and a Vietnamese Remains

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On route back home we found Galaxy Cinema, and caught a quick, not so funny film (I Love You Beth Cooper).
To end this great day, we had some food, and some draught 5,000 dong beers in Shake and Cake cafe, bloody cheap and delicious too. David managed to burn his throat with a chilli, or maybe that was just an excuse to have more beers. (Only he knows the answer to that). Now its sleepy time once again, as early start for the Mekong Delta and Cambodia in the morning.

Angela & David