Children of the Revolution

A wonderful morning. After breakfast Wah takes me to the Post Office to complete step three of getting my new licence, posting off the photos and Embassy forms to the RTA. A beautiful building opened over a hundred years ago with a giant portrait of Uncle Ho (Ho Chi Minh) overseeing the whole floor.

Outside across the road is the famous Notre Dame Cathedral. Despite their misguided teachings and dogmas, the Catholics, like all religions know how to build an impressive building. I have seen it before but today is the first time it is open and I get to see the inside.

Across the square from the Post Office and the Cathedral I stop at The Coffee Bean, a Starbucks style chain restaurant, unfortunately I ordered the wrong coffee, iced but without milk but that does not matter because I have discovered a new love that I have never bothered to try before, a fresh warm bagel, YUM! The cool wind is whipping up and a few drops of rain appear.

Walking in the direction of my hotel I visit the HCMC Museum. I have been to more impressive Museums but there are a few interesting facts, figures and displays. There is a traditional band from the central highlands performing for about a hundred school children in the foyer which is enchanting.

A light shower begins and I walk again towards my hotel, sheltering under the shop awnings as I go, it gets heavier as I come across a Hindu Temple so I go inside for some shelter. It is mostly abandoned except for an old woman who is lighting incense. I purchase some and enter the main prayer room which is empty. I light the incense putting it in the shrine receptors and get on my knees for a thank you to Buddha who is amongst the Hindu gods on the central shrine “Thank you O beautiful one” I feel him smile and hear the rain stop. I remain there for a while meditating with the beautiful mantra that is playing on a sound system, after a few minutes I realise it is the same riff as “Children of the Revolution” and leave humming T-rex.

The walking feels good today, the rain has cleared, the humidity has risen and a healthy sweat is coming out of me. Interesting little side fact, the last two days where I have not been sweating I needed to go to the bathroom a couple of times while I was drinking but when the humidity brings out the sweat I do not. I stop at Jin’s café for lunch and buy a day old Daily Telegraph to have a look at some more local Sydney news than what the ABC provides from the old lady who sells them. Her and the gentleman who sell them have stopped asking me if I want to buy one and while reading through an article I feel a stare and look up to see HIM giving me a dirty look. I promise to buy one from him next week. I managed to find out my suspicions are correct, they get them from the airport.

I give some money to an old beggar lady who holds out her hand under my face while I am chatting to Lan and then an old man who suddenly appears when he sees me give her some money. I give away probably about a dollar all up every day or two but only to the very old people like these or the disabled/maimed beggars.

                        Loi - the one legged Benicio Del Toro look alike (not so much in this photo)

While having lunch I am also approached by an old lady who wants to tell me my future. I tell her I do not want or need to know but I give her a measly few thousand Dong to sit down and chat with me. She definitely has that “old mystic” looking face and tells me some of the great work she has done for Australian travellers over time, apparently she can “bring luck” to people by letting them know their futures. In a subtle around about way I get her talking and she certainly is a very good psychic. She “knows” I am a traveller having a holiday and I am about 51 years old – wrong and wrong - busted you old charlatan! I also asked if it will rain again this afternoon - a fairly safe bet for anyone and she says yes - it does not. (This whole last paragraph was spoken in an entirely sarcastic tone – I just wanted to have some fun with her)

Hein - morning reception at Blue River

                                               Hai - afternoon reception at Blue River

Back to the Blue River for a nap and some study for school this afternoon, I have walked for about 5 hours this morning. Four o’clock my stomach starts to feel a bit sore not sure if I’m hungry or getting sick so I stuff down a quick burger at Dung before I leave for school.

About halfway the road is jammed, we can’t see what has happened but it is a wall of bikes so we have to back track a bit and cut through some different areas, ever the professional Wah still gets me there on time.

I am a half an hour early as requested so that Mr Chan can show me the lesson plan for the first class, he is not there. Reception hands me a pile of photocopies for a test I am to give and that is it! Hey I’m the new guy here, a little bit of direction would be nice? Then I remember where I am. So I stumble my way through that with the wrong correlating CD for the test and pad the rest of the class out with charades “my job is?” Only I didn’t realise I picked the smartest kid to start who selected Movie Director and the rest of the class don’t even know what that is………it was a long game. Not to worry I have spent some time preparing for the next class and five minutes into it I work out Chan has also given me the wrong book for this class as well. Somehow with a combination of my charm and wit and good students we manage to make it through that class unscathed.

The ride home is magnificent, the traffic is light, the air is cool and clear (well clearer) and the neon is dazzling. Up to Dung Café for a light supper and much needed beer then bed, a good full day.