Saigon

Ho Chi Minh City, or Saigon, as the locals still call it, is by far the busiest city I've ever been too! It even surpasses Shanghai. Today's city tour guide said there are 4.5 million motorbikes just here in Saigon (he said there are ~24 million in the whole country). Sitting outside my hotel, or anwhere for that matter, there is constant motion. There never seems to be a lull in the traffic, which also means never a lull in the noise. There is constant honking, but not the "I hate you, got out of my way" type honking. More like, "here I am" type honking to make sure you're alert and aware. The tour guide actually suggested crossing streets with our eyes closed, and didn't seem to be kidding. The locals do generally seem to cross streets at a casual pace to give the motorbikes time to judge when and where to go around them. It seems to work so I've been following their example, but the urge to dash for it is definitely there at times.

I am loving the food! I've had fried tofu with lemongrass, fried springrolls, pho (noodle soup), a fried potato/egg concoction from a street stall, and durien bubble tea. All fantastic! Why did William have to be sent to the food dregs of the earth?!

I'm in Saigon again tonight then tomorrow, maybe on a nighttime sleeper train, I'll head north. I haven't decided where yet. This is where a travel buddy would come in handy because I am so indecisive by myself.