So long Siagon

So yesterday was our last day in Siagon and I tell you it was a few days over due (cough cough *toby* cough) We spent waking up a little later than usual because we spent the night before chatting, drinking, getting WAY over charged for beer because they're sneaky that way (apparently they charge you for foam....) and climbing about on the terrace in our hotel room. So we left our bags at the hotel after checking out so we could walk about without our heavey loads (thanks yellow house!). We finally made it to the War remnants museum and it was well worth it to go. It's hard to belive the horrible things that were done to people and the environment during the Vietnam- US war. The pictures said it all. Very graphic ad deffinatly not for children.

Well it's another hot day In Ho Chi Minh and Toby is going to be a little later than expected still. I got word from him this morning that he'll be coming in on Saturday instead of tonight. Not a whole lot we can do about so Will and I are just going to sit tight. My luggage came though! that was awesome to have a fresh pair o f underwears to wears. A couple days in this humitity and you'll why. So yesterday on our travels we (Will and I) jumped on a motor bike taxi that took us to Xui lao pagoda....I think that was what it's called.... anyway we took off our sandals and entered the temple to see this GIANT satute of Budda. They had beautiful trees in the garden and a dead fish in the pond. We hung out there for a bit before walking back to the hotel. On the way back to the hotel we stopped into this Vietnamese resturant for a beer. They had Lizards and snakes in cages and people eating birds feet. On the Menu we saw some pretty strange food, like, Giant snail,Salamander,tortoise,Blood and Gall wine,snake and Star fish paste. We ordered a plate of giant snail but probably should have ordered one of the lizards , just to put the poor thing out of it's misery. there cages we not ideal shall we say. Anyway I figured out that I don't care much for Giant snail. I can put that on my "dislikes" list. We did however find Siagon Beer on tap, so it cost a Whopping 10,000 Dong per litre. It sounds like alot but its about 0.54 cents in canadian monies! So we had a litre each , got a lite buzz and wondered around the city some more. Although Ho Chi Minh is pretty cool , I really would like to get out of the city and see some of the country side AND most of all start climbing!!!!! We're all waiting on you Tobs!

HElllllooooooo over there!
Hi everyone. I'm in Nam' . My bag is lost already and I have no change of clothes. pretty sweet right? Yeah so the airport forgot to put my baggage on my connecting flight from Tokyo. So after very little sleep, cramped seating and 17 hours of flight time I was feeling pretty down. But I met Will and we have a room at the "yellow room" hostle/hotel. My back pack will come tomorrow at around 4 and the airport will drop it off at my hotel room. Everything will be A-OK!. Vietnam is amazing. Motorbikes every where and they are always beeping. It's hot and humid and everyone is trying to sell you something. When Toby arrives The three of us are thinking of heading south for a few days to the Mekong Delta. Take care everyone. See you soon.

Far away places with strange-soundin' names Far away over the sea Those far away places with the strange-soundin' names Are callin', callin' me
Goin' to China or maybe Siam I want to see for myself Those far away places I've been readin' about In a book that I took from the shelf
I start gettin' restless whenever I hear The whistle of a train I pray for the day I can get underway And look for those castles in Spain
They call me a dreamer, well maybe I am But I know that I'm burnin' to see Those far away places with the strange-soundin' names Callin', callin' me
(I pray for the day when I'll find a way Those far away places to see) Those far away places with the strange-soundin' names Callin', callin' me

This is a song by Bing Crosby.

I first heard it from my dear old dad over the phone after we were talking about my trip plan to Vietnam. He sung it to me in his aged Irish accent voice and it was wonderful.Even now, as a young man my fathers voice still has that same effect on me from when I was a boy.I hear it as a gentle unrelenting force that calms me down. The only way a father can. I see my Dad in a whole new light these past few years as I've gotten out on my own and seen a thing or two. I'm inspired by his adventures and mis-adventures that are the back bone to his career as a author.

Like all our dads he was once wild and like the wind and now has the stories to prove it. He has always told me "David , you're doin' da rite ting" in pretty much anything that involves some risk .All through MAST, he was a phone call away from telling me before every week long outing to the woods "You're doing the right thing" When I asked My beautiful wife Elissa to share her life with me he said " David, You're doing the right thing" My doubts are strong and I'm often lost in thought about all the things that could go wrong abroad. But if you think forever things will never change. I trust my dad. He has been around a couple few times. He might know what he's talking about. But then again he is my dad.....but I love him anyway. Thanks pops.

So looks like when I land, I'll have a few days to check out Ho Chi Minh city by my own because my climbing partner doesn't arrive until the 11Th. classic Toby. So send me your prayers and good thoughts my way if you think of it. You would be doing the right thing. Ha.