Sajgon - po polsku

Z notatek z podróży...

Sajgon przywitał mnie tropikalnym deszczem, ale zanim dojechałam do hotelu niebo się przejaśniło i wyszło słońce. Po 24h podróży i pierwszym szoku temperaturowym, doceniłam chłodny prysznic i wiatrak w pokoju. Po mimo tego, że sam pokój rarytasem nie był. Pierwszy raz nocowałam w pokoju bez okna, z zamkiem w drzwiach, którego prawie nie było. No ale skoro rzekło się A i przyleciało się do Wietnamu, trzeba przyjąć z dobrocią inwentarza.

First bites

I got one or two mosquito bites today. Do you think I am going to die soon?
I think there were cockroaches in the hostel too, but I don't dare thinking if they were in my room...

And so I started to use repellents I got with me.

Today was a better day. I managed to get cheaper and nicer food and cheaper everything. I guess you have to stay long enough in one place to get closer to the local going rates and get your head around the rules.

Tomorrow, a first big challenge (like it wasn't enough). Because I am stubborn, I am rejecting all the civilized offers for transportation and I am taking a local bus to get to Can Tho. It is said to be 4 hrs drive.
I was at the local bus station yesterday to see if I manage to find out about anything. After understanding the layout and the roles, I asked one guy behind the counter and... can you imagine that the guy started writing an answer for me in English? Obviously his English wasn't great and he was hesitating to speak, but I got all the information I needed. The bus numbers, the schedule for Tuesday and I hope all this if for where I want to go. :). After watching buses coming and going (not that I didn't trust the guy:), bus number 2 is a really local open type little van where people sit on top of each other. The bus 39 seems more European type, with modern type of sits and closed cabin. And so tomorrow morning, I will be on the bus with locals trying not to get killed and actually get where I want. Then I want to organize a boat trip on Mekong for myself, or join a group rather and I will have to see about accommodation.

I could go for an easier option and get a tour organized here for only 25$. But I want to become better traveling ninja and see how much money is really needed for traveling. I am keeping track of my expenses so I will know exactly how much and where :))

More news from Saigon

Another handful of funny information.

Now I know that in Vietnam byuing a SIM is not necessary an easy operation. I got one in Hanoi airport, thinkin it should be straight forward with my unlocked mobile. How silly it was to thinki, I learned yesterday :) Of course I had problems and I couldn't use it. I thuoght it was probably some phone settings and that I will be able to sort it out quickly. I still haven't. Moreover I locked the phone SIM by accidant, and they do not give you your PUK with the card.
Thanks to firendly hotel service we called the customer service and they said that the only option is to go back to the place where I got the SIM and they should sort it out for me. No way I am going back to Hanoi before end of my second week I said. So as a bargain I will go to their shop in Saigon and maybe they will help... Fingers crossed!

Would you dare crossing the street?