JB, Jaime and I made quite the scene in Nha Trang. If Jaime and I thought we were being stared at before meeting JB, it was much crazier afterwards. The locals were busy trying to figure out how we knew one another...if he's with Jaime, if I'm with Jaime, if I'm with him... or whether any of us are together... it was hilarious! The locals weren't shy at all... they came right up to us to ask what's up! They were also much more forward than the locals in Hanoi... one brave guy came up to Jaime while I was lying right next to her, and started belting out "Hello! Is it me you're looking for?!" A regular Lionel Richie. I would have beat his butt, except he then proceeded to try to sell her some souvenirs. The ladies who we rented beach chairs from asked if we were Asian movie stars.
Jaime and I are also starting to think that we simply don't fit in here in Vietnam. Everyone assumes that we're Japanese and greets us with a hearty "Arigato". Others who don't think we're Japanese think we're Korean, and the Americans/Europeans think we're Vietnamese. I can't count the number of times someone has looked at us seeking help/service/assistance, only to turn away once they get a closer look at our clothing! I considered standing on street corners and asking passer-bys if they want "motobike, 1 hour" or "shoe shine!"
Our Nha Trang recap will be coming up shortly. After that, we'll fill you in on Saigon, which the Vietnamese call Ho Chi Minh city. Things we're looking forward to in HCMC include:
- War Memorial Museum
- Fish Market
- Saigon Zoo/Botanical Garden, and
- The Sheraton (it'll be nice to cash in those Starwood points for a 5-star room!)
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
1 comment:
LOL @ Web the "Asian movie star."
Post a Comment