The Last Few Days In Saigon

Not sure the actual reason why I kept delaying writing this post until now: running out of words to write, simply being busy/tired, or refusing to accept that any journey has to end at some points...

 We were surely going with the flow and taking it easy. Knowing we only had few days, we just wanted to soak it all in: the warm climate, the "living in the moment" spirit, the organized chaos...

Breakfast alone in the alley at this age!
(G lined up for a seat :)

Still fascinated by watching the livelihood in the allies, we walked through some nook and cranny ones, found some delicious food for breakfast and lunch, returned to our favourite place for refreshing smoothies, saw some interesting vendors of meat or vegetables who chose no part in any markets, G had a hair cut with a young barber who wished to see us again but we were leaving in couple days, met a lunch vendor who has a gentle soul and just wanted to connect with us: bought G a beer, gave us a big cookie from family altar, shared a zip in a same glass of desert drink and offered us the rest... Somehow, her unconditional and simple acts of kindness had touch our hearts deeply! Definitely we will look her up next time.

We also visited couple friends and relatives on Sunday to have our last simple lunch together (eating on the floor and my "good traveler" just fit right in!), or a dinning feast my two cousins offered...

 On Monday we did the last minute shopping, tried another adventure in food for dinner but weren't successful. Although we took a long walk to search for the right restaurant, G still got the tasteless ostrich steak for the first time, and I ordered a fish dish but ended with "Survivors" fish size that I didn't like...That was  part of adventure---disappointment is expected!

Dinner cruise

Shoes shopping at night market

 The memorable part was the peaceful long walk through the park or the harbour at night time, watching Vietnamese people live their life and being amazed: regardless how busy they are during the days, they surely know how to enjoy life in the evenings and always have close connection with friends and family so often... How different our life is in the western countries!

On Tues morning we just took it easy, of course had breakfast and lunch in the allies for the last time, then it was time to pack. 

Goodbye at the same airport
(1st time was 32 yrs ago)

We left Saigon at 5pm local time (5am Tues in Canada) and didn't arrive home until 3pm Wed!

At the moment we are trying to overcome the jet lag and getting back to the swing of life here.  There will be some reflections on this journey and my Yoga Teachers Training course later. 

Until next journey.....