Don't Hit Me Don't Hit Me Don't Hit Me!!!!!

Gooooooooooooooood Morning Vietnam!

Colby and I arrived in Saigon/Ho Chi Minh City (only the government calls it HCMC, everyone else calls it Saigon) late last night and we are having a great time. As we were driving into the city from the airport the first thing we both noticed (and the first thing anyone who isn't completely braindead would notice) is the INSANE number of motorcycles everywhere. Seriously, it is ridiculous. This city has over 4 million motorcycles - and I swear to God they are all always on the road.

Prior to leaving, my friend Rafi gave me a speech: "when you're in Saigon and you want to cross the street just walk - you are going to think the motorcycles will hit you, they won't". At the time I did not fully comprehend what he meant. Now I do...

There are no traffic signals here (Colby thinks the Commies outlawed them:) ). Where they do exist however, they are mere suggestions (this is probably also the genesis for the idea that motorcycles can drive on the sidewalk as if it were the road). Sooooo, if you want to cross the street you just have to walk. And pray. Or, you can do what I do: Every time we need to cross the street, I just start walking, with motorcycles zooming all around me, and just say over and over, outloud, "don't hit me don't hit me don't hit me". And then when I'm safely on the other side I don't forget to say "thank you".