Vietnam 2013

We are here in the hotel in HCMC now. Its a city like most cities, with lots of things to do and see. I must admit that it is nice to be somewhere that feels a bit more familiar: we can get different foods quite easily, and places are clean. I love the people of Cambodia, and each time someone smiled back (which was everytime), my heart melted, but the lack of any hygiene really got to me. Its something that I think a person can overcome and see past yet live cleanly themselves, but it is nice to have a taste of home. The people here are not quite as friendly, but it does seem that the poorer the people the nicer they are. Funny that. (haha??-makes you wonder why goals revolve around money when too much of it creates animosity and hostility) It is a great place though. A lot of people we have spoken to thus far in our travels have said they really don't like it here, so I think if we do, we will really love Hanoi. We only have one day here, we are taking the night train to Hue tomorrow leaving at 7pm. We have planned our route through the city tomorrow, there are some fantastic markets and places to eat here, and a museum of art just opposite our hotel. (our hotel is the Ruby River Hotel if anyone wants to have a look)
Our bus today was great: we ended up at the stop (2000m from the border) for an hour and a half while they tried to get the engine going. I think it was just a dead battery but there was nothing strong enough nearby to jumpstart it. However, it rained the whole time which cooled everything down, and we got to speaking with the girls who worked there. There was one mother with her little girl running around (so beautiful) and another 12 year old girl. Hugo taught her a little bit of English and we counted with the little one. I gave her my inflatable neck pillow and she ran around with it and kept hugging me and blowing kisses. I will upload some pictures tomorrow. I could have stayed there for hours. It was sad to say goodbye when we left, with her waving as the bus drove off, but I know she was very loved and happy.