So long, Vietnam.
Ahhh, while we were ready to move on and see some other things, it was great to reflect on what an excellent time we had in Vietnam. It really does seem to be picking up as the hot new travel destination, with plenty of Australians, New Zealanders, French Canadians (more than English-speaking for some reason) and loads of Germans blazing the trail. I absolutely loved the trip and would definitely recommend to everyone else.
Some of the more wry observations have to be made though:
1. The copyright laws are not yet developed enough: if I open up a "Nicky's Party Shack" on one side of the road, someone can open "Nicky's Party Shack II" on the other side and capitalise on all my goodwill. This can make it confusing navigating around a city.
2. It is totally acceptable for a woman to wear her pyjamas all day long (sweet!)
3. There is no need to even glance for a second time if you see a dude riding along with a double bed mattress strapped to his back.
4. If you have bought one item, then you must want a second (example: was using my calculator at breakfast the other day in Saigon and got offered another one exactly the same)
5. You cannot escape sugar in coffee. "Fresh milk" turns out to be condensed milk; if you do happen to get fresh milk it will have had sugar pre-added to it; if you order black coffee, it will have been sweetened as well.
6. Safety first. Hiking over sharp rocks on steep cliffs is absolutely fine in flip flops.
7. There is no need to have any concern if your driver is overtaking at 60 miles an hour on a blind corner.
8. Likewise, why would you bother wearing a helmet?
9. Beeping your horn excuses you from any traffic violations.
10. Lanes are merely an antiquated guideline system.
11. When parking a huge boat that sleeps 25 people, if there is no room between boats at the dock, you should just ram your way in.
12. Even if you are a trolley collector at a supermarket, you will have a military-looking uniform.
13. Kids don't need a bed-time.
14. The rules of supply and demand do not apply. If there are 15 empty hotels on one street, there is always room for one more.
15. "Putting valuables in the hotel safe" frequently means sticking them in a drawer at reception, which is not manned the whole time, and anyone can enter off the street.
16. Locals cover themselves up as much as possible to retain the whitest skin they can, which is more desirable; Westerners are the opposite.
17. If you are vaguely over the age of 25, your boyfriend will be referred to as your husband.
... I could go on forever, but this keyboard is sticking and driving me crazeee - more from Cambodia in the next few days. N x
Some of the more wry observations have to be made though:
1. The copyright laws are not yet developed enough: if I open up a "Nicky's Party Shack" on one side of the road, someone can open "Nicky's Party Shack II" on the other side and capitalise on all my goodwill. This can make it confusing navigating around a city.
2. It is totally acceptable for a woman to wear her pyjamas all day long (sweet!)
3. There is no need to even glance for a second time if you see a dude riding along with a double bed mattress strapped to his back.
4. If you have bought one item, then you must want a second (example: was using my calculator at breakfast the other day in Saigon and got offered another one exactly the same)
5. You cannot escape sugar in coffee. "Fresh milk" turns out to be condensed milk; if you do happen to get fresh milk it will have had sugar pre-added to it; if you order black coffee, it will have been sweetened as well.
6. Safety first. Hiking over sharp rocks on steep cliffs is absolutely fine in flip flops.
7. There is no need to have any concern if your driver is overtaking at 60 miles an hour on a blind corner.
8. Likewise, why would you bother wearing a helmet?
9. Beeping your horn excuses you from any traffic violations.
10. Lanes are merely an antiquated guideline system.
11. When parking a huge boat that sleeps 25 people, if there is no room between boats at the dock, you should just ram your way in.
12. Even if you are a trolley collector at a supermarket, you will have a military-looking uniform.
13. Kids don't need a bed-time.
14. The rules of supply and demand do not apply. If there are 15 empty hotels on one street, there is always room for one more.
15. "Putting valuables in the hotel safe" frequently means sticking them in a drawer at reception, which is not manned the whole time, and anyone can enter off the street.
16. Locals cover themselves up as much as possible to retain the whitest skin they can, which is more desirable; Westerners are the opposite.
17. If you are vaguely over the age of 25, your boyfriend will be referred to as your husband.
... I could go on forever, but this keyboard is sticking and driving me crazeee - more from Cambodia in the next few days. N x
posted by Nic at 4:36 pm
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home