One City, Two Names, 10 Million People, 6 Million Motorbikes, and 15 Vintage Vespas

We flew into Saigon this morning.  It was difficult to leave beautiful and charming Hoi An, but we had to move along.  Saigon is actually formally Named Ho Chi Minh City, but most people here still call it Saigon.  It's a large city, kind of shabby but not poor.  It doesn't have the old colonial charm of Hanoi, but it bustles with life and commerce. We are staying right near the main open market in the city--not a tourist market, unless the tourists are stout of heart!  Nearby is the pho shop that President Clinton visited when the trade embargo was dropped.  It's almost a shrine to him now (and it still serves delicious noodles!)

We had the chance to see the city this afternoon by riding vintage Vespa motorbikes. Our drivers were calm and experienced, which is a good thing given the traffic.  Traffic rules are made to be broken here, and all traffic sort of seems to flow around objects and pedestrians like water.  At the same time, everyone is pretty polite and laid back.  These drivers have a lot of nerve, but they aren't angry or aggressive.  There's a kind of calm about the traffic, even with the crazy driving.

The heat here is amazing and the humidity is almost unbearable.  Most of the students have sunburns in spots, even the students who usually tan.  At least today there was a great breeze while we zipped from place to place.  And:  it was really really fun!!