{"id":1712,"date":"2018-09-14T11:45:13","date_gmt":"2018-09-14T09:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cyclefoodfun.com\/?p=1712"},"modified":"2018-09-15T04:41:53","modified_gmt":"2018-09-15T02:41:53","slug":"good-morning-vietnam","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclefoodfun.co.za\/?p=1712","title":{"rendered":"Good Morning – Vietnam!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Crossing the border into Vietnam was easy and quick.\u00a0 The cycle into Ho Chi Minh City (hereafter known as HCMC) was a “thrown in the deep-end” introduction to Vietnamese traffic and the complete disregard for any rules of the road.\u00a0 It’s crazy but, once you get used to it, fun.\u00a0 The one behaviour pattern that I had to learn quickly is “give way to the right”.\u00a0 This means that no one looks when joining the traffic flow from a road on the right or a sidewalk or even just pulling into the traffic.\u00a0 They simply turn in front of you.\u00a0 I\u00a0 swore a lot at them initially until I eventually understood the rule!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I liked HCMC.\u00a0 It’s big and busy and noisy but it has oodles of character.\u00a0 Beware walking around at rush-hour, you’re likely to be bumped by scooters riding on the sidewalks to get ahead of the traffic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Riding on the Sidewalk<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Remember my friend the Vietnamese cyclist?\u00a0 Well while I was still on my way to HCMC I was contacted by\u00a0 one of her friends, Huong Thu, who invited me for a cup of coffee.\u00a0 Such a kind gesture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Friend and Huong<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Huong asked what my plans were and when I said I was going to Cu Chi to see the tunnels she promptly invited me to join her at a Pagoda in Cu Chi for a very important Buddhist ceremony to honour one’s parents and to pray for them in the past, the present and the future.\u00a0 I accepted gladly and we made plans to meet in Cu Chi the next day<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was a very moving ceremony, obviously as it was conducted in Vietnamese, I could not understand a word but Huong kept up a running commentary.\u00a0 At one point, the mothers at the ceremony had their feet washed by their children as a sign of great respect and reverence.\u00a0 Very emotional for all.\u00a0 Afterwards we all shared a delicious lunch prepared by the parishioners (if one can call them that?)\u00a0 Everyone was very kind to me and made me feel welcome.\u00a0 Houng introduced me to her friends who promptly invited me to tea at their home but only after an extended photo session.<\/p>\n\n\n\n