Friday, November 7th, 2003 – Day 262
I was awaken by the noise by 6.00am. Most of the city gets up at this time and as I have a large balcony (even though I am on the 5th floor) the noise was massive. I rested until 9.00am. Its was TOO noisy and TOO bright here (facing the morning sun).
I decided to spend today looking for some DVD’s. I have a mental list which I want to complete. You can find them round the backpacker area for 20,000 dong (1.15 Euro) or 16,000 Dong (.92 cent) in other areas. I suppose the extra cost for the convenience.
DVD’s can be found along Nguyen Hue street on the corner just up from the Prince hotel going up toward the HCMC Party headquarters. You can also find them at Saigon Center on Hai Ba Trung just up from Le Tan Ton street.
You may ask (and you would be right), why buy DVD’s. Whats so important. They are just copies and anyway films these days are mostly crap.
As one report put it –
Or reality TV, edited and cut so that plotlines are clear and linear, not messy and complex like real life. Sure, it can be entertaining, but “real” is the last thing you’d call it.
And then you have the movies.
So many of today’s blockbusters have been CGI’d and Dolby 5.1’d to within an inch of their celluloid lives. They’re nothing but big special-effects set pieces surrounded by connecting tissue — something Oscar-winning screenwriter Robert Towne acknowledged in a recent article in The New Yorker. Despite his status as one of Hollywood’s handful of go-to guys — or perhaps because of it — Towne wasn’t so much asked to write a script for one of the “Mission: Impossible” films as to connect the explosions.
I read on a chat board recently –
…. but I don’t think you’ve really thought about the function of movies and entertainment in this society. They’re the opiate, the “Soma” or “feelies” as Aldous Huxley called them, and it’s they’re job to deaden us with meaningless sensory stimulation so we becomes cogs in the machine of capitalism. Depressed or just plain bored, we get our fixes of mindless pop culture for a momentary distraction, then move on to the next fixation, whatever works to keep us from actually thinking and realizing what a soul-sucking and empty existance we all lead.
Its an interesting point but some movies do have a function. They can relate to our own lifes and make so more conscious of other lives. As Morrissory said (not):
Because the music that they constantly play
IT SAYS NOTHING TO ME ABOUT MY LIFE
.. and many movies do not but now and again one does and as long as that continues, I will continue to go the movies and enjoy films . if they some thing to say. I have bought 5/6 Documentaries as well including The Trials of Henry Kissinger and Southern Comfort.
Anyway, I understand SHOPPING now. I never could understand how women could shop all day without stop looking for that something. Well, I shopped from 9.00am to 5.00pm today without stop looking for those certain films. Many of the markets are at different points of the city and I walked from point to point.
As I have been in Saigon twice and have seen many of its attractions, I will post few pictures during the city visit.
I did pass by Notre Dame Cathedral
The neo-Romanesque cathedral was constructed between 1877 and 1883 using bricks from Marseilles and stained glass windows from Chartres. The cathedral is closed to visitors except during Sunday services, which are in Vietnamese and English.
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Saigon – Notre Dame Cathedral. (07-11-2003)
General Post Office (Buu Dien)In a grand old colonial building, you can check out the huge maps of Vietnam on either side of the main entrance and the huge portrait of Uncle Ho in the rear.
City Hall
Saigon’s city hall was constructed between 1902 and 1908, a fantastic ornate example of colonial architecture. Unfortunately, it’s not open to the public.
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Saigon – City Hall. (07-11-2003)
I headed back to the Pham Ngu Lao area where my hotel is located. Everyone in Saigon sits down on stools in the street. Most do not have air-con and favor talking with friends and family outside on the pavement. Its a hive of activity with bikes, cyclos, motor bikes etc. People are selling always.
I settled out for some Bia hoi which is beer sold in litre bottles. Its made in local breweries but its cheap. It was 6,000 Dong (.35 cent) PER LITRE. The seller had it cooled and it tasted great. I settled down and bought a copy of Michael Moore’s STUPID WHITE MEN for 30,000 Dong (1.72 Euro).
I had two litres of beer (it was a good book!!!!) and I was in bed by 11.45am. Everybody else here is in bed by 10.30pm.
Saturday, November 8th, 2003 – Day 263
Ho Chi Minh City, or, Saigon as it is once again commonly known, is a relatively young city for Asia, founded just in the 18th century. Settled mainly by civil-war refugees from north Vietnam and Chinese merchants, it quickly became a major commercial center. When the French took over a land they called Cochin China, Saigon became the capital. After the French left in 1954, Saigon remained the capital of south Vietnam until national reunification in 1975.
Saigon is still Vietnam’s commercial headquarters, brash and busy, with a keen sense of its own importance. Located on the Saigon River, it’s Vietnam’s major port and largest city, with a population of almost 5 million people. True to its reputation, it is noisy, crowded, and dirty, but the central business district is rapidly developing in steel and glass precision to match any city on the globe. The old Saigon still survives in wide downtown avenues flanked by pristine colonials. Hectic and eclectic, Ho Chi Minh City has an attitude all its own.
I did not do a whole lot today either. I was out of the hotel by 9.30am and I visited:
Ben Thanh Market
The clock tower over the main entrance to what was formerly known as Les Halles Centrale is the symbol of Saigon, and the market might as well be, too. Opened first in 1914, it’s crowded, a boon for pickpockets with its narrow, one-way aisles, and loaded with people clamoring to sell you cheap goods (T-shirts, aluminum wares, silk, bamboo, and lacquer) and postcards. There are so many people calling out to you that you’ll feel like the bell of the ball or a wallet with legs. Watch for pickpockets. The wet market, with its selection of meat, fish, produce, and flowers, is interesting and hassle-free; no one will foist a fish on you. In open-air stalls surrounding the market are some nice little eateries.
I had a breakfast of beef noodles soup and ice coffee. I also bought 200g of Vietnamese coffee. Its great stuff. I bought a bag last year with coffee drippers. Its smells of roasted butter (I know there is no such thing). A 200g back will cost between 7,000 and 50,000 Dong depending on which of the 15 or so varieties you want.
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Saigon – Planes from the Vietnam War. (08-11-2003)
I did not watch the New Zealand V South Africa game at 2.30pm but I did watch the Australia V Scotland game at 5.00pm local time. Australia cruised past the Scots. They are two poor teams and Australia will not progress past the semi final stage on current form. I am really looking forward to the Ireland V France game tomorrow.
I called into Dan Sinh Market which is close to my hotel. I bought about 5 reproduction Vietnam Era Zippo lighters here last year. It is also known as the War Surplus market due to the huge amount of supposedly ex-military clothing and equipment. Most of the items for sale are however reproductions. They have everything from VC, US uniform to army boots, ammo belts here. Weird.
Sunday, November 9th, 2003 – Day 264
I decided to switch accommodation. I called in the Quang guest house last night and they showed me a quiet room with air-con, hot water and satellite TV for 7 USD per night. As its only one USD dearer, I decided to move. My old hotel was too noisy and was just a fan room.
Nothing much to report today. Eh, Sunday IS a day of rest (and sport on TV). I was watching TV most of the day!! As I have been in Saigon twice before, I have no motivation to revsit the attractions. I visited an Irish Pub (there are three) in Saigon at 2.00pm to watch the match.
SHERIDAN’S IRISH HOUSE
Popular Irish-themed pub with good food. A favourite with Saigon’s expat community. Well located in the “junction” area, a short walk from the CBD etc. Irish music (played by Irish & Vietnamese musicians) every Saturday night. Other musical entertainment on Thursday/Friday nights.
There was very little atmosphere. Most people were there for an expensive Sunday lunch. There was less atmosphere even if they tried. Beer was expensive. One dollar for a small bottle (well, expensive for Vietnam, anyway).
It was a very disappointing game for Ireland. France deserved it. We weren’t even at the races. I left with 15 minutes to go (I was the late tries later on).
it was a night of watching Sport on TV. There was the England V Wales rugby game Manchester United V Liverpool and Chelsea V Newcastle Football games. It was bed time when they were all over.
Monday, November 10th, 2003 – Day 265
I called into Sinh cafe (travel agent, travel company, restaurant) to book an open bus ticket to Hanoi.
SINH Cafe established in 1993 is one of the first travel agencies organizing guided tours for foreign tourists to explore Vietnam.
What is Open Tour ?
It is a shuttle bus that can take you to travel everyday from this place to another throughout Vietnam. On the way you can stop at any sites the bus goes through and stay there as long as you want to. Just confirm with SINH CAFE your next trip one day before your departure, our bus will be available to pick you up at your hotel accommodation (except Saigon).
What kind of bus to be used for Open Tour ?
SINH CAFE has a fleet of 45-seat and 34-seat buses with air conditioning especially used for OPEN TOUR itinerary. You will have no worry about the space for your luggage, for your long legs and you will feel comfortable and enjoy your time in Vietnam.
I paid 23.00 UD for the following series of bus journeys, which I can take in my leisure.
SAIGON – DALAT – NHATRANG – HOIAN – HUE – HANOI
More information on this option can be found here. There are advantages and disadvantages to this package. Buses go every day from each start and stop and therefore is flexible, so you don’t meet local people. A good advantage (apart from the fact that inter-city bus services are terrible) is that we get to stop on various SIGHTSEEING STOPOVERS during the journeys. Therefore, I get to see more of Vietnam than if I took scheduled services.
Anyway, I went shopping today. I bought some MORE coffee. Yep, even though I am mainly a tea drinker I am very found of Vietnam coffee. It has a world reputation. I brought some some from my last visit. There are dozens of varieties. In an average stall you may get 10 types of coffee and a similar variety of tea leaves. Prices vary from 5,000 to 30,000 per 100g. I also bought two stainless steel coffee drippers.
I also purchased a pair of scandals. I normally don’t like wearing them, but my trainers are wearing out. I have won them most days over the past 6 months. Its also a bit hot and sticky for shoes, but to mention you have to head to a laundry with your socks once a week. The disadvantage is the your feet get filthy.
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Saigon. (10-11-2003)
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Click on the picture to see it in it´s original size
Saigon. (10-11-2003)
It was raining heavily from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. Its about 24 oc today.
Later on I bought a copy of Lonely Planet China (China, 8th Ed) and a copy of Damage Done by Warren Fellows.
It was recommended to me in La Paz, Bolivia. It is reprinted as 4000 Days: My Life & Survival in a Bangkok Prison.
Warren Fellows spent 12 years inside some of Thailands most horrific prisons suffering the most inhumane treatment possible from the hands of brutal guards.
Warren survived the experience and was eventually returned to Australia a stranger in a strange land. The world had changed much since Warren last saw it
I found an interesting site about people currently in prison in Thailand and other counties.
On a related note, I purchased Brokedown Palace on DVD. Its about 2 girls who get jail in Thailand for drugs.
Another prisoner in Thailand book is called Forget You Had a Daughter. The author spent 4-1/2 years in the notorious Lard Yao women’s prison – dubbed the Bangkok Hilton – before being repatriated in 1997 to serve the rest of her sentence in Britain.
The China Guide has nearly 1000 pages. Anyway I paid 8 USD for both. They are copies. For the use I will make of the LP guide, why buy a new copy for 30 USD plus.
Note: Its impossible to visit some web-sites in Vietnam. Every time I go on the NET, it will not allow me to visit GEOCITIES, where these pages are edited and uploaded to. I will not be able to edit the site pages for a while until I figure a way around these difficulties.