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Our time in Saigon (now officially known as "Ho Chi Minh City"), was a real joy. We had been in Saigon less than an hour when we were picked up from our guest-house on motorbikes (the principal form of transport in Vietnam) by members of Mrs. Janzen's family. We were then speeded away through chaotic traffic to their small home where we were greeted like long-lost members of the family. As we joined the dinner mid-swing (Mrs. Janzen, Bo and Heidi had arrived in Saigon earlier in the day), beers were promptly placed in our hands, seats at the table cleared, and our feasting began. While very few words of English were spoken, it was a touching and thoroughly amazing experience as the warmth, friendliness, graciousness and hospitality of the entire family easily transcended the language barrier.
Here, we are gathered around the table, enjoying our first authentic Vietnamese dinner with our new family who so graciously adopted us as their own.
YOOOOOOO!!! (the Vietamese version of Cheers!) 50 PERCENT!!!! (Drink 50% of your beer) were the most frequently exchanged words during the evening's celebration. These two cheerful men are Hung and Tam, Mrs. Janzen's brothers in law. And yes, it was as much fun as it looks.
Our family poses for a photos: top row: Thao, Hoa, Si, Tri, Mrs. Janzen (whose Vietnamese name is Huong), Hieu, Be (who would be our driver through Vietnam) and Trung. middle row: Khanh, Ti, Tham, Loan. bottom row: Hun, Tam and Dung (little boy).
The Central Post Office of Saigon, a tourist attraction in its own right, given its beautiful architecture.
One of Saigon's many pagodas.
At the War Remnants Museum (formerly known as the "American War Crimes Museum"), a thorough presentation of Vietnam's view (and only Vietnam's view) of the infamous war is on display. Regardless of the slant, one comes away from the exhibits reminded once again that war is a horrible thing. Outside the Museum many examples of United States jets, tanks, and other arms that never made it back home are on prominent display.
Night 2 in Saigon again included a raucous family dinner, this time outdoors on a small side street. We all gathered around a long, "L" shaped table and ate magnificently.
Trung, Rich, Heidi, Mrs. Janzen, Bo, Tam and Tri enjoy their great meal.
Trung, Mrs. Janzen and Thao are having a great time.
We ate a Lau style meal, consisting of several hot pots placed upon the table and filled with a boiling broth. The table was also full of plates of fresh squid, pork, beef, scallops, liver, and pork skins, together with 2 types of needles and innumerable greens, all of which were periodically placed in the simmering stew for cooking.
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