Today we are leaving Vietnam and are going to Siem Reap, Cambodia.  Five days in Vietnam and I need three things, 1.  A dark quiet room to decompress  2. Mexican Food and 3. New undergarments.   The above video shows us trying to cross one of many streets.  I’m actually going to miss the thrill.

The Vietnamese People are wonderful, polite and genuinely appear to be glad to see you.  In an earlier post I talked about the scooters.  If I remember nothing else, it will be that.  10 million people in Saigon, 7 million scooters.  I’ve included a few more pictures showing that there is no limit to their brilliance.  The first picture shows an Uber driver waiting for a fare…Uber on a scooter, wow.

Vietnam is a beautiful country and well worth the trip.  I would do it again and perhaps go to Hanoi in the north.  Hotels, restaurants and transportation are easy.  I have had a harder time going to Dallas then I’ve had here.

A parting thought, I found a man who was about 50 and he agreed to answer a few questions from an annoying American about his thoughts on the Vietnam war.  He told me that his father died in 1972 fighting along side the Americans in Da Nang.   He said times were hard after that but that he and his family had adjusted and moved on.

Then I asked the hard question.  Does he feel that we (America) made a difference, was it worth it?  I cringed as the last of that sentence left my mouth as I had no idea how he would or could reply.  He thought about it and said, when the war ended, we (Americans) had made a lot of mixed raced children and that at least we took them to America and didn’t leave them behind to suffer.

Of all the things he could have mentioned, this apparently, was top of mind.  He then just shrugged and walked away.   I was speechless.  I had imagined him talking about human suffering, life in a war zone or of the loss of his Father.   Nope, he said what he said and that was that.

After I thought about it, I was really glad I was here.  Meeting people of other cultures is a wonderful “eye opener”.  I really liked Vietnam and clearly I have more to learn which can’t be done from sitting behind a computer.  I want to meet more like him and I want to be as thoroughly confused by every answer they graciously give.  That for me, is the best starting point in truely seeking to expand my narrow American mind.

I’ll warn you up front that most of you will not like how this ends.

This is supposed to be a “How To Points and Miles” Blog.  Lately it has become a Travel in Vietnam Blog and I have loved every minute of it.  When I write, my  heart goes into every word and it bothers me, actually pisses me off, when I’m dismissed as just another Travel-Type Blog.  I write about what Matters to Me.  I hope to “Move” you.

World Travel can be an incredibly deep personal experience or it can be as shallow as you want it to be.  I write about what moves me.  Sometimes it humorous and other times, it’s not.  Maybe I need to lighten up but that is just not going to happen.  I want to know the “why” and I want to share it with anyone who will listen.

Today we took a tour of the Cu Chi tunnels.  These are the tunnels that the Viet Cong used during the war.  At the end of the tour, we were asked to watch a 20 minute video.  I lasted 2 minutes and walked out.  That story is for another day.

Exploring other cultures means leaving your American Judgements at home, to a certain point, I mean wrong is wrong.  But judging another culture based on my opinion of how they should act, cheapens the experience and closes minds to new ideas and personal growth.

On the shuttle bus ride back, that ideal got shoved down my throat sideways.  Our Vietnamese tour guide confirmed that here, this is normal and accepted and that the driver is a “delivery man”.  A picture was taken.

Not all stories are humorous and I agonized over even sharing it.  But if I’m going to write seriously and open my mind to other cultures then it is not my place to sensor anything.  It’s up to you to decide for yourself.

It’s one picture.  It makes me uncomfortable, but that reflects my culture.  The link is below.

https://goo.gl/photos/pQH2iGZ7ELUbBcXv6

Today was day 3 of our trip to Ho Chi Minh City and we went to the Reunification Palace.  It was here, after Saigon fell to the North, that Vietnam was Reunified into a single country, one Vietnam.

We casually walked it’s halls and then took a smiley-face picture outside.  It was right about then that the wheels came off…It was the picture.  As a student of History, I am keenly aware of this building’s past, it’s history.  I was just a child during the Vietnam war.  I remember bits and pieces from the news but I can’t remember anyone close that was involved.

It has been easy, if that is the right word, to come here as a tourist and enjoy this beautiful city and it’s people.  As I roam it’s streets, I have seen nothing that brings the Vietnam war to mind.  The Vietnamese view history in their own way, which to me seems private and quietly proud.  Not once, have I noticed anyone give me even a sideward glance.  I feel as comfortable here as I have felt in any European Country, that we haven’t been to war with.

I have no idea how a Vietnamese Soldier, of that era, even feels about that point in their history.  I can imagine, however, how an American Vietnam war veteran feels.   One only needs to go to Washington D.C. and view the Vietnam War Memorials.  For some, their lives have been defined by this war and it still remains a part of their daily existence.

I stopped at one point and wondered if they could ever come back to this Country again, perhaps to find closure, if that is even possible.  I was feeling guilt, as if my visit here was some form of betrayal to those who fought and died…here.

It seems that this trip will not be as simple as I once thought,  it carries with it a “form” of responsibility, a duty to humanity if you will,  to simply remember.

When we left the Palace, neither of us were smiling.  We ached deeply for the Veteran’s of both sides, so many lives lost, so much pain.  And as we continue our stay,  our vacation here,  I will continue to respectfully remember…

I am in trouble.  It didn’t take long, only about 10 minutes and there I was.  We were unpacking last night and Lilly pulls out her hair straightener.  I walked right into the fan blade, “why did you bring that? You can’t use that 120 volt thing here!”  I can too, you brought the converter, right?  No actually I didn’t…and there I was.  But being male, I had to give her the nails to my coffin too, “Do you REALLY need to have that thing here?!”  I probably should not have said that…It was suggested that I fix the problem.

Fine! Tomorrow I’ll trolley on over to Walmart and pick up a 220 volt one, I need a watch battery anyway…Silence…She finished unpacking, using my name in vain at least 5 more times.  Apparently this hair straightener thing matters to her.

When one is in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), one apparently goes to the Ben Thanh Market to find everything.  Sounds perfect, we’ll go there.  At the front desk, I ask for directions.  Ok, Go 4 blocks this way then turn right for like 6 blocks and you can’t miss it.  Anything else I need to know?  Um, yeah, when you’re crossing the street, be bold, don’t stop, show no fear and never back up.  I’m like seriously?, I see crosswalks, stop lights and, I mean, how really hard can it be?  He smiles, Good Luck! After crossing 3 streets, I have learned the following things:

Thing  1.  Motor Scooters rule the streets of Saigon.  It’s the family car and they are everywhere in massive numbers.  There appears to be no limit on the amount of passengers, I’ve seen 3 people and the family dog whipping through traffic on one scooter.

Thing 2.  Anything can be attached to a scooter, restricted only by the creativity and imagination of it’s owner.  Why sure we can haul that washing machine, just bring me the rope.  You need that 14 foot 2×4 taken to the house? Get the duct tape. I kid you not.

Thing 3.  Stop lights, crosswalks, traffic lanes and well basically, traffic laws, are more like “suggestions” than anything else.  Personally, I think they earn bonus points and a prize for plowing you over and boy are they in it to win.

Thing 4.  Rule number three also applies to buses, cars, bicycles or whatever contraption they’ve created to get from A to B.  I’m convinced the word “yield” does not exist in the Vietnamese language.

I am going to die in Saigon, this actually crossed my mind after about the third street crossing.  I am going to die for a hair straightener power converter (which upon reflection, I remembered the hotel will loan to you upon request) and a watch battery.

We finally arrive at the Market, which is actually an indoor-outdoor kind of Bazaar.  It’s complete and total Chaos.  Picture a covered swap-meet, with about 50 million people and every kind of product you can think of, confined in an area the size of a football field.  I love the look on Lilly’s face, that feeling like your trying to take a drink from a firehose.

You cannot come to Saigon without coming here.  EVERYTHING is here.  From seafood to fabric, it’s here.  You squeeze down tiny “alleys” between vendors to find even more items being sold.  While your eyes are trying adjust to the dizzying display, your ears are going tone deaf over the constant barrage of people trying to get you to stop at their spot.  I say “spot” because that may be all the space they have.  It may only be 5×5 but it goes floor to ceiling.

I was able to get the battery in my watch replaced for the bargain price of 200,000 dong ($8.80).  No hair straightener power converter though, opted to give the hotel a chance and they later came through.

After about an hour we found our way out (we should have used GPS) and decided to come back and do this again tomorrow.  You just can’t do it justice in one visit.

I’ve also attached a picture of myself so that when the bus, followed by the 6-8 scooters and a bicycle, plow me over, the doctor will have something to work from to know what goes where.  With that, Happy Travels

We’ve Arrived!  Now what?  No idea.  It’s early and after surviving last nights taxi trip to the hotel, we are cautiously peeking out the window at the glorious chaos of a new day.

I’ll be in touch….

http://www.theclumsytraveler.com/travel-junkie/?platform=hootsuite

Actually to Seattle first to change planes…Then we go…

In the last post, we were at the Kansas City International Airport getting ready to leave. Moving along,  we then boarded an Alaska Airline 737 and took our seats.  Somehow in all our travels, we have never flown with Alaska.  I would best describe them as “laidback”.   I’m expecting to get grief over bringing my backpack and my carry-on suitcase on the plane. The problem is my “personal carry-on item”, the backpack, is huge compared to my suitcase.  They see me stumbling down the aisle and don’t even bat an eye.   I probably could have brought my favorite recliner on board and they would have just smiled and made room.  I learned three things during this flight. 1.  The old story of the screaming child on an airplane is real.  2. Sailors really do cuss like Sailors, and 3.  Alaska has a credit card which they are quite proud of and will gladly tell you all about it.  To expand…

1. So in wanders a Mother and her 15 month (ish) daughter, who clearly wanted absolutely nothing to do with this plane.  They land in the row in front of us and to the right.  She howled from take-off until 20 minutes before the plane landed and this was a four hour flight.  Her mother did her best but to no avail  and the little lady finally went to sleep…after 3 1/2 hours.  The kid has stamina, I’ll give her that.

2.  A young sailor was sitting just behind me and to my right.  He was quite frustrated with the crying situation and was speaking loudly to his friends expressing, in a most colorful way, his thoughts on the matter.   Over the 14 hour flight (felt like), he covered so many topics and at 22 years old, he apparently, had single-handedly solved most of the worlds problems and was anxious to tell the back of the plane how he did it.  I received an internal update to my brain’s hard-drive on the modern vernacular of the 20 something male.   I learned that I was Way out of date on today’s current “salty” language and I learned how to seamlessly mesh them into a conversation that I am certain would not end well.  I am now updated.  iMichael version 7.1.

3. About 30 minutes before landing, an announcement from the cockpit…a landing report perhaps, weather update?  No, a commercial for the Alaska Air Credit card.  I hoped it wasn’t the pilot and was relieved when I saw that it was one of our flight attendants who actually did an excellent job.  It lasted about 5-7 minutes and most of the people seemed completely annoyed at the commercial interruption.  I thought it was hysterical.  Lilly just hung her head and commented that she just can’t seem to escape the Points and Miles thing.  Then, to complete her hell,  the attendants began  walking down the aisle handing out credit card applications and making sure you didn’t miss any of the details.  Talk about a captive audience.   Alaska definitely has a “set of balls”, the sailor mumbled as he declined the offer.

My intentions are to really talk about the trip and how it relates to the use of Points and Miles…But, the PEOPLE you meet along the way.   Wow!  Remember, it’s not about the destination, its about the journey.

When it comes to  world travel, I rarely complain about anything.  I take each experience on it’s own and usually relish the quirky.  This applies to Eating, Hotels, Airports whatever.

I arrived at the Kansas City International Airport and am, for lack of a better word, slackjawed.  I realize that KC is a small rural city and that an airport here should match…Seriously!?.    This “international” airport appears to be so poorly designed that when they brought in the security apparatus, most likely after 2001, it was just too much and well, here we are…exhibit A.

I am in Terminal B.  There are very few eateries or shops and it appears that women are not allowed to  use the restroom as each one that we passed was closed.  Picture a long winding large “hallway” that has gates along the way.  Now draw a line down the middle of the hallway running it length, the right side you walk and the left is where security has set up.  The Baggage counter clerks advised us to not enter the security area until you use the restroom (ladies, good luck) and have eaten (also, good luck).

So we enter, I’m sorry sir, we don’t have TSA Precheck  here…Stop it! Seriously? She hands me a blue card and says “hold this” in front of your chest and you can leave your shoes on…I’m easy, so ok…

After security, we entered a smallish very crowded area with lots of people waiting to board the plane (probably to use the restroom), no power plugs anywhere but there were seats.  I hop on the MCI WiFi which kept kicking me off (probably because it didn’t like my writing) and ended up on my Hotspot.

The ONLY plus here was the staff of the Airport, they were all very polite and seemed to apologize a lot no matter what the question was.

It’s time for an update folks, this is embarrassing ( I can say this as a Missouri resident)

As such is my experience at this Airport (MCI).

Most issuers have soft-ish guidelines limiting how many cards you can get from them in a period of time, or what on your credit report might disqualify you. This is why you might see an issuer referred to as “inquiry sensitive”. Three issuers, though—American Express, Chase, and Citi—have some pretty hard rules in place. This is [&hellip

Source: In Brief: Time-Related Rules Imposed by American Express, Chase, and Citi – Doctor Of Credit

I have always been amazed at people and the reasons they give for not traveling to places “outside their comfort zone”.  Oh, the excuses.  Now I’m forced to ask this of myself.  I’m staring down the barrel of a trip to Asia and I don’t wanna go,  I’ve looked at this rationally;  Great people, rich in history/culture and stunningly beautiful landscapes.  Still don’t wanna go.  It’s too “something” from here.  All that is left for me then, is to look at this through the eyes of a Philosopher.  Why do we travel, why do we take the risk, the WHY we do anything.  What is a philosopher?  For that, let’s ask Mel Brooks for his definition.

In his movie, History of the World Part I, we see Comicus, the Stand-up Philospher, in the unemployment line waiting to hopefully receive his stipend. I believe it is in the Roman Era.

Clerk:  Occupation?

Comicus:  Stand-up Philosopher

Clerk:  (Clearly surprised) What?

Comicus: Stand-up Philosopher! I coalesce the vapors of human experience into a viable and meaningful comprehension.

Clerk: Oh, a “bullsh!*” artist!

Comicus: (Grumble…)

Clerk:  Did you bullsh!* last week?

Comicus: No…

Clerk:  Did you at least “try” and bulls!* last week?

It goes on from there and ultimately Comicus gets his stipend.  He also provides a decent definition.

So apparently I need to “coalesce the vapors…etc”.

Why do I travel? Because I love it, passionately.  I am not afraid of the world but I am, apparently, afraid of Asia.  I’m not sure why.  I do know that it’s time for me to grow though.

Hunter S. Thompson said “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow!, What a Ride!”

So to those who are afraid to travel somewhere “exotic”, I get it.  And to those fearless travelers who truly know how to “exist” and inspire, my deepest admiration.

Soon we leave for Vietnam, Cambodia and China.  Two weeks of serious travel.  I’ve checked the inventory, 11 and 1/2 socks, 9 undershorts, 12 undershirts…doesn’t look good for 14 days.  Shoes, 7 pair, that should work, Pants? Three…hmmm.  This picture is not looking good except for the shoes.

Problem:  I hate packing.  I hate packing for a 7 day trip, 14 days!…excruciating! I can’t go for 1 night without at least taking a carry-on suitcase.  I mean, I need my stuff.

Master Plan:  Pack nothing.  I’ll get there and say they lost my luggage.  Yes, that’s it!  Then I can go shopping, which is a lot more fun than packing.  You need my luggage receipt?  Really?  Um, I lost it?  You say you have video of me checking in…No luggage?  I…um…may I use the restroom? Please?  Buh Bye…I’d be on wanted posters, TV, it would be glorious!

In the Martin Lawrence movie, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins, you see them traveling in a small white Jetta with no less than 12 suitcases strapped on top.  It’s hilarious!  Except… that would be me.  I pack everything and I have a checklist just to make sure that I do.  93 degrees in Vietnam?, of course I’m taking my coat, it could get cold at night.  My Pillow, well that’s a no-brainer, yes…check.  For a 14 day trip, I’m going to need one of those big white “Cubes” you see blocking people’s driveway when they’re getting ready to move.  Instead,  I get a 30″ suitcase and a 20″ carry-on suitcase AND a 44 lb and 17 lb weight limit, respectively (thanks a lot Cambodia).  It’s a stare-off, this can’t possibly work, as I’m thinking to myself,  the 30″ case should be able to hold all the shoes, right?

I may need an intervention before this is over…

The Seven Wonders of the (ancient) World.  In their time, no X-Ray, Bag checks or Passport required, you just walked in…Easy to see and easier to explore.

Let’s see if I can remember what they are, the Lighthouse at Alexandria, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, the Colossus of Rhodes…and so on.  With the exception of the Great Pyramid of Giza, they are essentially all gone.

In 2000, we took a roadtrip (actually our Honeymoon) to Maine to see whatever Maine has to see.  On the way, we casually stopped in New York, took pictures of the Twin Towers and took a boat ride to see a Statue.  I use the word Casually because that’s what it was, Casual.  The boat dropped us off, we went into the base of the Statue of Liberty, climbed a very steep set of stairs and ended up in the Crown.  I remember thinking, “this is so small”, as the crown holds only about 6-8 people at best.  We’ll come back “next time” and explore, then we left and drove to Maine.

Try that today, nothing Casual about it.  You must have a reservation, pay a fee, get security checks and so on…things we unfortunately consider “normal”.  So much for “next time”.

I’ve been up in the Eiffel Tower, just wandering around.  To St. Marks Square in Venice, the Louvre in Paris, the Vatican in Rome and it’s Museums, just a ‘wanderin…

Now the City of Paris is building a barrier around the Eiffel Tower.  Gone are the days of just walking in and “checking the place out”.  Gone are the days of “Casual”.

Seven Wonders of the (Ancient) World?  No, There are Hundreds!  Hundreds of the Worlds most precious reminders of each country’s history.  Except today, we must change the meaning of the word “Wonder”.   Today it’s, I Wonder if we can actually get in?  I Wonder if it’s safe?  I Wonder if I can actually see it with my very own eyes.  I Wonder…

If you want to see the Wonder’s of our world, don’t wait a day longer. In the span of 17 years we went from “Casual” to “I’ll look it up on the internet, getting in just isn’t worth the headache”.

A Positive ending to a not so positive post, the Eiffel Tower, St. Marks in Venice and the Vatican are all still open.  So get packing…It’s time to Travel

https://thepointsguy.com/2017/02/why-card-bonuses-are-so-high-us/

The Beginner’s Guide to Mardi Gras in New Orleans