McDigitabroad: Happy birthday Brother Mike

Great day it was 49 years ago today! I got another little brother and the world received a Master Communicator.

I wish I could be there in person but the road is calling my name bro.

Happy Birthday man!

I just woke to a beautiful Saigon morning.

Yesterday was an amazing experience. We woke to Vietnamese coffees, which btw are the very best in the world, and grabbed a couple Cam Ba for the road.

Our trip started with loading our backpacks back onto the bikes then heading 1/2km to the ferry boat.

The Mekong is a powerhouse this morning and moving at a ridiculous speed.

We ate our sandwiches at the ferry gate and poised ourselves for the mad rush of bikes and people racing for the best spot in the front. You gotta experience this shit to understand the crazy scene.

The trip across tool only 10 minutes but the water was moving so fast we were pushed 200 yds down stream before we powered up for the landing.

The rush off was no easier. Pete crunched into some dude's fender in an attempt to maneuver his bike onto the skinny ramp. I guess the guy's been hit doing this before because all he did was flash a look at his bike and continued his race for an exit.

We landed in a small riverside town with canals and smaller rivers weaving between roads and stilted houses (mostly shacks).

Over the next few hours the ride was breathtaking! The rode moved Eastward toward My Tho and we snaked our way around curves, over bridges and through the lush jungle growth of the Mekong Delta.

Numerous times we stopped, speechless to look over the beauty of this world.

Forty years ago the US and Allies were fighting the Vietcong in these very tributaries. Our (USA) use of chemicals destroyed these jungles and the people living here. The Vietcong were hiding in the thick riverbed cover surprising unsuspecting soldiers and some asshole decided to dump 100s of thousands of gallons of agent Orange, purple, yellow from planes onto these river jungles with the intent of wiping out all the plant life so the Cong couldn't hide. In doing so they not only killed every living plant in the region but also destroyed the entire South Vietnam (our allies) food source, killed thousands of innocent farmers and their families and caused years of petro chemical reactions among the Delta region including generations of birth defects. Today, although the jungles have regrown in most of the affected areas, the presence of people affected by these chemicals is a reminder of the horror these communities endured. You would think they would hate us (Americans) but instead I have witnessed only sweetness and generosity from every person I meet.

Like the killing fields in Cambodia, I can only hope we as a race have learned something from all this. Unfortunately the more I watch the news & travel the more I see to the contrary.

Today as I ride through this beauty I reflect on the strength of these people and I say a silent prayer for humanity.

We started today's ride with clean delta air and a small flow of local traffic as we passed through villages along the Mekong but as we headed northward the air began to dry up and the traffic increased.

Entering the outskirts of Saigon was eye opening to say the least.

First, we started to notice more bikes riding along side us. Then an occasional bus and truck loaded with treasures from the delta heading for the city.

Before long we were surrounded by people, bikes, smog spewing truck & buses and the grips on our handle bars were intensifyingly tighter.

It was unreal!

I have been in Saigon (HCMC) before and witnessed the madness of the traffic here but coming from the pure zen beauty of the Delta I was blown away by the rapid digression. Something to experience for sure!

We arrived into the center of town around 4 and were filthy from the road dust and exhaust. I remembered a nice hotel I stayed at once and we decided to check it out.

The Bizu Hotel on De Tham Street was clean and reasonably priced plus I recalled they had a place to store our bikes.

The girl at the front desk, Julie immediately recognized me as I walked thought the glass door. She ran to me and hugged me;)! Crazy I know but these are the people of Vietnam. She discounted their rate from $37 to $24 and we were in our new crib showering and changing for dinner in a matter of moments.

When I was here last I met a Canadian expat named Harry. I hung out with his buddies and girlfriend (My) for a couple weeks and attended a few parties with them.

I was invited into their Irish football league and met some super crazy Aussies and Europeans too.

It's interesting but I have never experienced many Americans around Asia. I guess Europe and Australia are much easier jumping points.

Anyway last night I brought my Cuz to out to meet Harry and My.

I have been keeping in touch with Harry and wanted to toast them as they were married a couple months ago.

We met at the Spotted Cow and were starving from our cross country trec.

The Tuesday night special was 'buy 1 burger, get 1 free'. I ordered a Super sized Saigon special and since Cuz has been doing the vegetarian thing I ate both;). Haven't had a burger on a while and it was incredible.

The wedding reception party is next month and I'd love to make it but need to heed the call of the road and motor on to Hanoi. Tonight was a great catchup and since they have a pool at their house and a Quizno fest planned for Weds night I'll be seeing them again before we bounce.

The night ended early as usual with a walk through the touristy streets of HCMC, a frozen yogurt & our busted asses in bed by 10.