Back to Muine

Not to be negative, but I simply couldn't tolerate Saigon anymore. Something about the stench of urine saturating the sidewalks and the constant drove of motorcycles veering dangerously close to my being makes life unpleasant. I won't go on to mention the abundance of the sickening flow of trash in the city. I understand.

I understand that people must make a living and life is hard and it's just too time-consuming to put your trash in a garbage bin. And all that. But, I had to leave. Later for Ho Chi Minh, the city that bears the name of... well, Ho Chi Minh. What can I say? It's his city.  

So, I went back to Muine and got my old room. Well, I didn't get the exact room, but one like it. Then, after two nights, when a smaller room was available, I took it.

Number 4 at the Sea Winds Guest House. That dark brown door gets piping hot in the morning sun!

There's a brood of cute baby ducks waddling around the grounds but they refused to pose for me. The manager agreed to rent me the little cabin or cottage for 5 days at $50 US, or one million dong.

I've looked around and found this is the best rate for a private room. Although perhaps the Backpackers Village may come a bit cheaper if you want to stay in a dorm. To be brutally honest, the downside I have discovered with dorms is that couples like to "do their thing" in a mixed dorm. I mean, I understand how they must feel, but I always wonder why they don't just "get a room" by combining both their expenses on the dorm. Go figure. Anyway, it doesn't happen all the time and dorms can be a good place to have English conversation in English with other English speakers. If you're fed up with trying to communicate with those who can't. Speak English that is.

 The pool across the street is in the restaurant where I usually eat breakfast for about $5 US because it's all-you-can-eat, including bacon, eggs cooked to your specifications and a ton of tropical fruit and cakes. So, it's enough food to last me all day.

 Cute or not? Cute, BUT a little warm for this kind of weather, don't you think? But, really cute if you happen to be on your way up north.

So, the thing is, the electricity went out. The first time it was for less than an hour, but the second time, I think the lines were blown down. So, it went out for 5 hours. In the heat of the day. That's FIVE HOURS of intense heat with no fan or air-con. I finally went down to the beach and ran into my landlord who promised it would come back on at 4pm. It DID. And BOY was I EVER THANKFUL. "You never miss the water till the well runs dry." It's so true. You never fully appreciate your fan and blessed air-con until it's GONE.

 Here's the old bird who talks in Vietnamese like a little girl. I think he recognizes me.

                                                                   Lovely plants

 This is the walkway to my room. On the left is a crazy Mexican restaurant run by Russians who think a fajita is a taco.

I think this is a cherimoya. It's a delicious fruit with a thin peal that just easily peals off revealing a soft, fragrant fruit that tastes a bit like a pear. I do love them. They're not usually THIS huge though.