The Intimate Side of Vietnam
(Actual date: Feb. 11)
So, I finally took passengers on my motorbike! I have taken Janet (mimihater), Andrew, and Danny! I will master this contraption yet!
I also ordered from those delivery boys for the first time, which was rather exciting. For all those in the States, there are these boys who go around knocking metal or shaking this noise-thing (expats, anyone know what they are called?). They are trying to get your attention to sell you food that they will then deliver to you in a bowl with any utensils you might need, to which you leave the bowl and stuff outside your door when you are done. Yesterday, I finally took the chance to order a noodle dish. My stomach remains intact and free of any problems. And the price of this whole meal and service? 4,000 VND = 25 cents.
It also made me realize how far the locals go here to take care of each other. The only way that bowl of food could be worth 25 cents is if they were getting deals on food and a lot of business. Each neighborhood alley has people who own convenience stores, restaurants, and repairmen. It's the most idyllic form of communism; the way it was intended to work. And in these neighborhoods, it really does. They hang out together, watch out for each other, and treat each neighbor like family. Everyone has something to take care of, and while there is a bit of competition, it doesn't cause too much tension. The other day, I was driving home and a girl was walking down our alley, calling out to remind all the neighbors to turn on the alley lights. Can you imagine if local Americans were in charge of the street lights?
Unfortunately, this is the side of Vietnam that you can only see when you live in a local house in a local alley. Tourists, and most travellers who stick to the backpackers' area never get to see this side of Vietnam. It is only in the outskirts of Western view, where locals can relax and just be themselves. After all, they are just as wary of the Westerners, fearing that their good-natured spirits will be taken advantage of, just as Westerners are wary that they will get charged 2-5 times as much as locals. It is only when they trust you, or perhaps don't realize you're paying attention, that they let their guards down and show you a side of their country that you can't read in a travel book.
It really is beautiful.
So, I finally took passengers on my motorbike! I have taken Janet (mimihater), Andrew, and Danny! I will master this contraption yet!
I also ordered from those delivery boys for the first time, which was rather exciting. For all those in the States, there are these boys who go around knocking metal or shaking this noise-thing (expats, anyone know what they are called?). They are trying to get your attention to sell you food that they will then deliver to you in a bowl with any utensils you might need, to which you leave the bowl and stuff outside your door when you are done. Yesterday, I finally took the chance to order a noodle dish. My stomach remains intact and free of any problems. And the price of this whole meal and service? 4,000 VND = 25 cents.
It also made me realize how far the locals go here to take care of each other. The only way that bowl of food could be worth 25 cents is if they were getting deals on food and a lot of business. Each neighborhood alley has people who own convenience stores, restaurants, and repairmen. It's the most idyllic form of communism; the way it was intended to work. And in these neighborhoods, it really does. They hang out together, watch out for each other, and treat each neighbor like family. Everyone has something to take care of, and while there is a bit of competition, it doesn't cause too much tension. The other day, I was driving home and a girl was walking down our alley, calling out to remind all the neighbors to turn on the alley lights. Can you imagine if local Americans were in charge of the street lights?
Unfortunately, this is the side of Vietnam that you can only see when you live in a local house in a local alley. Tourists, and most travellers who stick to the backpackers' area never get to see this side of Vietnam. It is only in the outskirts of Western view, where locals can relax and just be themselves. After all, they are just as wary of the Westerners, fearing that their good-natured spirits will be taken advantage of, just as Westerners are wary that they will get charged 2-5 times as much as locals. It is only when they trust you, or perhaps don't realize you're paying attention, that they let their guards down and show you a side of their country that you can't read in a travel book.
It really is beautiful.
posted by Vivi at 7:54 AM
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