Not nothing, really, but almost. 

I was down to my last 50 cents. After a long search, found an ATM that would take my card. Whew.

Train ticket purchased, I found a coffee and booked some hostels. I found good enough rooms for the next 3 places: Hue, Danang, and Hoi An. In Hoi An I splurged and got a private room at 12 bucks per night.

Did a day’s worth of laundry for clean undies for tomorrow. Took a walk. Played 2 games of pool on the most warped table ever. 

So I went to the night market to see all the crazy stuff for sale. I was going to take some pictures, but felt weird about it. These women are just trying to make a living.

So I’ll just tell you….lots of food that I most def would eat. Bullfrogs, pigeon, chicken livers & hearts, beef liver, goose, regular beef and chicken parts, goat, many different kinds of eggs, eel, snake, tofu lol, crab, fish. I think that most of it was just killed a couple of hours ago, so it’s super fresh. 

Maybe I’m so used to seeing my meat on a plate, but it came from something alive. The markets here are getting less and less weird. It was strange for me at first.
Anyway, no real pics for today.

Also want to give a shout out to the restaurant I’ve been to twice now. The service is good and the portions almost american sized (which means plenty big). It’s called Duc Nhat. Each meal comes with two freebies, either an appy, piece of fruit, hot tea, or a beer. The prices are good. Tonight I had noodles and chicken, some puffed rice thing, a beer, and hot tea for 60,000 dong. That’s like 3 bucks. 

Anyway, I’m on the train for 11 hours tomorrow. I’m going to try the meal they sell all the locals. Some kind of meat, rice, and tea. Can’t wait!

Had a day with some wild swings. Started out great with a boat trip to some caves, a downswing upon realizing my chosen course of action was gonna be tough, great again at some temple stuff, absolutely nightmarish bike ride home, tried and succeeded to shift that m.f. bad attitude, lovely dinner, nice chat with a fellow traveler, a beer, shower, and bed.

If anyone ever asks “should I rent a bicycle in Vietnam?” the answer is no.

No.

Anyway, the Trang An Grottoes are super awesome. The entire region has the world heritage seal of approval and rightfully so. This particular attraction is more popular among the Vietnamese, so the commercialism is toned way down. What a relief. I mean, they’re happy to take your money, but don’t give you any crap if you smile and say “no thanks”.

After a cave tour and a lovely coffee, I jumped on the shittiest mountain bike ever made by a man and rode way too far. 

It was kinda cool at times. There was that cattle traffic jam, and all the chickens and goats frolicking with me. Once an old lady passed me and told me step on it! lol

At my second stop, I realized that I’d forgotten to eat breakfast and lunch. That may have made my attitude shittier than usual. Some peanut brittle saved me.

The ride back to town was brutal. I took a wrong turn and added many kilometers to the voyage. On a shitty bike. On a highway. I would have made it except for the headwind that showed up. I was doing really well all alone at my pity-party, all alone, poor Mary. 

After a bit I got over myself. Change your attitude and change your reality.

So I just walked instead. And it was delightful. After a few blocks there were sidewalks, and cute kids, and moms, and everyone saying hello to me. 

A bunch of people tried to fix the bike which was super nice.  The phrase “this bike is a piece of shit” is universal! 

After just a few miles I was home again with a cold beer, and the day was behind me. 

Here’s some pictures…

I’m going to take back what I said yesterday about this city. It’s too negative. The people that live here are great, and it’s not a tourist destination. You still get treated like a person here.

Goodnight 

Meh, it’s a travel day. The train ride was uneventful, after a bit some very nice people let me know that I was in their spot.

I walked to the hostel, only 15 minutes. Kids here are much more friendly, I guess foreigners are lots less common.

After a beer and a nap, I set out for a walk.

I was told that this was a boring, dusty city.  Those people were right. An excursion to the only park in town took only minutes. On the way I found a dead rat, burning garbage, and one extremely talkative man who had lots of opinions on my camera angles.

Dinner was lovely.

Looking forward to the Trang An Grottoes tomorrow. I’m renting a bicycle to get there. These little towns have nada for transportation.

Heres a few pictures…

The rest of the pics wont load, so that’s it.

I did not take a picture of the dead rat

Annnnnd I am ok with that. I’ve seen a lot.

Also, I’ve got to save some Hanoi for February. I’m coming back with a friend and need to have something new to experience at that time.

An easy sightseeing day today. Did some last minute laundry, and planned tomorrows escape.

Here’s todays pictures…