Danger

Between the ridiculously signed off open holes in the ground, the tangles of electrical cords (which my picture does no justice to), and the steady stream of motorbikes whizzing around, there seems to be danger at every corner.  But maybe that is why it seems silly to put up a huge red sign saying danger, when there could just as well be something even more dangerous around the corner.
I finally found my apartment yesterday, a one bedroom "house" ( in that, it is not just a room in a house, but it's own property) A guy that Vince hooked me up with told me to meet him there the other day, I took a cab, It is in Binh Thanh district, just across the river from district 1.  The address though was obscure enough that my driver did not know exactly where he was going and once he found the street, he drove down it. but this was not really a street as much as it was a narrow alley, and this alley was lined with vendors, all of whom had big umbrellas over their stands. My big van cab came baraling down the small path regardless.  Knocking umbrellas across it's sides and roof, no one seemed mad, they sort of moved just enough to get out of the way.  needless to say, I will not be taking cabs up to my door, because my new apartment is just off that street.  A day later after seeing the empty spot I went back, and within about 45 minutes, I watched them have installed a 32" flat screen in my wall, a new washing machine, a brand new bed, a brand new refridgerator, and a wordrobe, still to come is a couch, plates, pots, pans, and a desk.  all very exciting, all for only $260 a month.  Great deal.  and right next to that lovely little market.
ps. all comments are appreciated.

people

There is a strange relationship developing between westerners and the locals here in Saigon.  It seems that many westerners think they should have to do little to nothing and be treated like kings.  I find it very frustrating, and feel guilty when i am not allowed to do simple tasks for myself.  It is so cheap to hire local work here, I spoke to a local that tried to teach here and he was offered $2/hr.  While a low wage for a western/ white teacher is about $12/hr.  The man carrying the ice in the above picture shows that many of the Vietnamese have grown numb to this situation and have accepted the proverbial, chip on their shoulders.  understanding that a major source of money flowing in to this country is coming from a few people, most of which are white.  I am slightly concerned about how I will feel once i am working for a school that will pay me more because the parents of the students want to see white people in the school.   It is a far reaching and ongoing dilemma for me and for everyone i do business with on the street.  Saam's (pronounced "say - om") are typically older Vietnamese men who wait around on their motorbikes, waiting to give rides to westerners, the other night i got a ride from a saam who spoke very good English, I asked him how he felt about the current economic state of his country, and what appears to be a big boom for everyone.  he told me that it is still very bad here, and the govt. has people under their thumb and no one talks out loud about it.  
Interestingly enough, the next day I was out and walking around town, just looking around, ( which is great cheap entertainment here) and ran into the same saam in the park, "you remember?" he said when he saw me, he was sitting on the park bench not far from his bike.  I was sweating terribly from walking around in the heat, so we sat back down on the bench he was at.  We talked about what he does, which with most saams, consists of a little of everything, or at least he knows someone who can get you anything, he specifically does tours with disabled people from Germany, he takes them to a beach in the Mekong, and than to an island where they make fish sauce.  I had him write down the name of the beach and island.  We talked for a long time, about food, places to get better more local versions of things i have already tried ( pho, bahn xeo, bahn mi).  We sat and talked for over an hour, and I had him write down lots of names and addresses, with his beautiful Vietnamese penmanship.  At the end of our time together he gave me his card, and invited me to have bia hoi, which means fresh beer, and is local made beer, with him at his favorite spot.  sounds pretty cool. will let yall know how that goes.
I found an apt in binh than district, A 1 br flat, fully furnished, kitchen, maid service, right next to a very local and diverse market street.  should be perfect, only $260/month.  Can't wait to spread out my things and get comfy in my new place, and cook some food, in my little Vietnamese kitchen!!!

first entry

 I'm still not working here, and i don't plan on getting a job until about october 8.  In the mean time i;m just chilling, eating non stop, having fun with my friend vince out here.  The best thing i've eaten, so far, was the other night, i was sitting on a stool on the street, drinking a beer with my buddy, and this lady came by selling something wrapped in a banana leaf, so of course i got one.  First she handed me a bag of about six hardboiled quail eggs, than she opened up the banana leaf to reveal two little sausage shaped steamed pork mousseline logs, she cut them into six bite sized pieces and stuck tooth pics in them, on the side she put a pile of salt and pepper, and six or seven of the tiniest thai bird chilies, smaller than a pencil tip.  i dipped the mousseline into the salt and pepper, and ate it with a whole little chili.  smooth and salty meat, than an explosion of heat from the little devil bastard, mmmmm. the heat intensifies and you instinctively peel an egg, dip it in more salt and pepper, this calms down the fire. rinse with some singaporean tiger beer, and repeat.