day 1 vietnam
OB and Aai decided to step out into Ho Chi Minh City and see what it was all about. It's not easy travelling with OB, you know. He's energetic, friendly and has those Eyes that unveil the Mysteries of everyone around. Agony uncle eyes 👀. Yes, that's the word for them! It's not easy travelling with Aai either. Shes hyper energetic, likes to talk to too many random people and everyone stares at her.
"Why are people staring at me?" asked OB.
"Ummm....they are staring at me. You are just in the way," said Aai.
OB rolled his eyes. Ok. Fine. If that's the way it is.
They got onto a half day city tour at 7.30am, with an enthusiastic tour guide Tony (that's mah pet name, mah real name is Haaaaan, with sound go upwars, if sound go dow-wars, it's differen meaning.)
The tour included an 88 year old American doctor Peter who had served in 'Nam in 1965, and his (step)² grandson. (Step son's step son), who was tattooed from head to toe with pokemon characters, of Philipino origin. Peter had recently lost his wife of 40 years and this was his first trip without her. He explained his complex family tree (he and the deceased wife were married before, then met at a school PTM and married each other, all the families blended like a khichadi and now he's travelling with the step squared grandson. He cried intermittently sharing photos of his wife and Aai cried softly with him. Between the Tony aka Haaan (in ascension) and Peter, OB and Aai the entertainment on the bus was enough to keep the boys in splits, however the history lessons had gone down well, and in the War museum, Aai found herself crying softly. Antu put an arm around her tightly. OB teared up as well. It was a beautiful morning in the Post office where they sent post cards to the families, the Reunification Palace where they saw Ho Chi Minh revered as a God, and the War Museum with floors devoted to Agent Orange, Napalm, and an Agent Orange survivor who sits there everyday, and stark reminder of humanities worst cruelties. We are really the most blood thirsty species on earth.
They slept in the afternoon under an indolent fan, and stepped our for a massage in the evening. Aai saw OB disappear into another world as the tiny Viet man jumped on his back, massaging his spine. 30min massage only. She gets restless if it's longer.
((You travel with me wherever I go. I could imagine your voice in my head and your wrinkly chinese eyes disappearing intermittently.
Aai