With the weather as it is, I so value opportunities to get out of the hotel only to return 60-90 minutes later swimming again and sweat beading everywhere. I have seen the following going on while driving or being a passenger on the scooters that are running around all over this town:
D- carrying 2 plastic molded chairs in each arm, arms cocked with hands on cycle controls
D- smoking a cigarette and talking on a cell while holding a drink can between legs for leisure time at red lights
P- sitting sideways on the seat reading a paper
P- sitting sideways on the seat doing her nails
P- checking email
D- supporting a rather large load on back while driving, somewhat like Jerry ridiculing the guy holding the mattress on the top of his car while driving at 60 mph ... "I got it" the mattress holder says
The scooters and bicycles can be seen driving around town while carrying:
- close to 12 dozen empty glass pop bottles in an assortment of plastic carrying devices attached to seat and rear fender
- what appears to be close to 20 empty clear 18.9 litre water bottles
- a wide assortment of small kitchen gadgets, so numerous as to make one have to look closely to find the bicycle underneath
- a couple of dozen breakable ceramic tiles secured with rope and frayed bungee cords
- a 10 foot high stack of 2 by 6 white styrofoam sheets
- a full sized interior door and frame
- a bundle of 2 inch gray drainage pipes, 10 feet in length, extending a dangerous distance beyond the front and back of the vehicle
- up to 5 people ... 3 adults and 2 children with the littlest one standing on the running boards between the driver's legs ... family car re-invented
It's all part of the culture which brings me no end of enjoyment during my journeys into far away places. I went to a chicken and ribs place for lunch and ordered the chicken and a standard plate of the Vietna-greens with garlic I have come to adore while here. The employees at these establishments are very attentive to ferenge and giggle when I ask for something which we both know will not be understood. This was one of the first meals (yes meals :)) I have had that did not lead me to asking for hot sauce. On its own it needed no additional spices. I am going to head down to the area where the jazz club resides before the show and find something to eat down there. I have been told there is an especially lovely fish establishment close by.
I am in a dialogue with Andrew in Toronto for a few days work the day after I get back home in mid-July. Text messages cost me 2,500 dong or about 12 cents to send or receive so I can get 40 for the 100,000 dong card I buy at the local cell phone outlets. I always get the proprietor to load the card for me since they know how.
Amazing a sit may seem, the final figures are in ... since I got here 12 days ago, I have seen no less than 652,198 scooters and ONLY ONE lying on its side in traffic after some unfortunate turn somehow going wrong. The body language and instantaneous communication that goes on between pedestrians and these scooter drivers as we wade our way across a very very busy street are quite astounding. The drivers deliberately alter their trajectory to go on the backside of ferenge to allow me to cross unimpeded. I was told when I first arrive not to take for granted vehicles are going the right way on a one-way street. Regardless of where you are, look both ways before wading into traffic.
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