So I was right. Dalat DID turn out to be my kind of town. (also highly recommended from other friends) The cool crisp mountain air did me well after Saigon shortened my lifespan by a couple of years. I ended up hooking up with this Vietnamese driver named Bin (pronounced "bean") for a day tour around Dalat. We saw the sites, drank some rice wine, and ate some amazing (cheap) food. A note on the rice wine: apparently it cures everything. "Oh oh this is medicine wine... made from forest roots. Good for stomach." "Oh this also medicine wine... made from herbs. Good for head." Needless to say I had plenty of medicine that day, and since it went so well, myself and a Dutch girl who was also taking a day tour around decided to hire our boys out for a 5 day trip through the Central Highlands... which I had no idea would make me so physically sore. Great trip though... on to the journey!
Dalat-Lak Lake-BMT (I abbreviate because I can't remember, nor can I pronounce the town name)-Kon Tum-Hoi An (present location). Lak Lake was simply amazing, and our arrival conveniently coincided with my big 2-5. (hello not having to pay extra for renting cars!!!) After shooting some of the best photos I've ever shot (to post soon), we proceeded to eat random pig parts (don't ask, but actually not too bad) and get started with the aforementioned medicine. I have no idea how much medicine I actually took... but the next day's ride was a tough one. At least I did get to party with a Canadian, a Dutch, and 2 Vietnamese.
The rest of the trip was spent taking showers in waterfalls (frolicking), seeing elephants, and playing village musical instruments... you know, the normal/usual American type stuff. During the course of the trip I also realized that I am a rock star. Well... maybe not a rock star, but at least a minor celebrity. Seriously, I would walk into some random shoe store looking for flip-flops and people would stare like they'd never seen a white guy before. I had at least 2 girls take my picture, and I was seriously waiting for some 6 year old kid to ask for my autograph. (which unfortunately never happened) I won't lie... I loved the attention. Ever single kid under the age of 12 who we passed waved and shouted at the top of their lungs "HELLO!!!". (the entire 5 days mind you)
Arriving in Hoi An was... well, not exactly the same enthusiastic welcome. Don't get me wrong, it's a great little city, but there is at least 1 Westerner for every 5 Vietnamese here... not to my liking. This city's also known for their 200+ custom tailor shops, each trying to fit you for a new suit, coat... the works. After swearing off spending for the near future, I proceeded to buy 2 suits, 2 dress shirts, 1 t-shirt, a skinny tie, and umm... other unmentionables I can't reveal at the moment. (the "not spending"thing lasted all of 3 days... I have no willpower)
Status: currently living in the Minh Quang guesthouse with 1 Canadian girl, 1 Dutch girl, and 1 American girl. That's right ladies and gentlemen, jackpot. We stay up until 3am every night talking about shopping... I only wish I were kidding.
Note II: Everything in Vietnam is loud. EVERYthing.
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