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!!!