Massage (blind) and markets

Today in Ho Chi Minh was good. I went for a 'blind massage' in the morning with some people from the hostel.

Blind?

I wondered the same.

The ladies who do the massage are blind. I don't know if it might be as a result of Agent Orange in the generation before. Quite possibly.

See: Agent Orange

I've never had a proper massage before but it was good, I think I was relieved they were blind when they say you only wear your knickers! 

I had actually brought a note in Vietnamese from the girl at the hostel reception asking them not to go too hard on my neck which I realised was futile when I got there! (See picture)

My neck seems to be ok.

The staff were so sweet and smiley and it was only £2 for one hour!

Later we went to the market and then had some street food. This is delightfully cheap - about 45p for mine and you sit on wee plastic stools like the type you get in wysebyse or wilkos! Fortunately one of the guys with us was vegetarian and did a good job communicating what we wanted. We ended up with a nice udon noodle soup with beansprouts, lemongrass and possibly sweet basil...and hopefully no fish sauce/shrimp paste.

But for now, 11pm sleep as I am up at 6am for a bus to the beach town of Nha Trang.

Ho Chi Minh City

Departure 23rd 12noon Belfast, 6 hours in Gatwick, 7 hour flight to Dubai and 7 hour flight to Ho Chi Minh - arrival 1930 on 24th Oct.

Pictured below is the view from my dorm room and surprisingly even though my dorm mates went out last night I actually slept quite well! No jet lag so far. I didn't get my phone out anywhere else - due to reports of theft from most I've spoken to! I used the trusty money belt my mum gave me, to wear under my top.

Although, speaking about theft I did see a tourist carrying a DSLR with massive lens. I hope she manages to keep it. What apparently happens is that one of the many motorbikers fly by and whisk whatever they can see.

I'm staying in tonight - the main reason being that I'm waiting to see if my backpack arrives from the airport! Apparently it got left in Dubai. Just as well I brought 'travel clothes wash leaves' and toiletries in my hand baggage!

This afternoon I walked to the War Remnants Museum - guided by a German girl called Jana who also leant me her Birkenstocks as it was too hot for my hiking boots which is all I have right now.

Whilst in the War Remnants Museum torrential rain and a thunderstorm began. A bit surreal maybe being surrounded by old guns and rocket launchers when hearing the loudest thunder bangs I've ever heard! Some very sad, but moreso very shocking stories and photos in the museum. The effects of the US Agent Orange are still causing birth defects abd disabilities. Have to admit I don't fully understand how the war started and it didnt seem to explain - or really does any one know why a war starts?

I have begun to master the art of crossing the road - apparently you just have to walk and they'll swerve and beep. On the way back I decided to find my way back through a small park. There were kids chatting in the shelters. I didn't think how the rain may create little rivers instead of paths. I ended up walking along the curbstones leaping, which seemed to become a maze surrounded by water!

Lastly I had a tasty meal at a wee cafe where I got steamed rice and tofu for about £1.17 (pictured)! A very touristy street, lots of ladies with conical (and comical) hats, fruit on two baskets on a long stick over her shoulder and people wafting menus in your face (view out of the cafe pictured last - I took my camera out of hiking sock  briefly!) They had tofu and aubergines too - I may return tomorrow!