Lost in Vietnam

I decided to write today’s blog as I think Matt’s version of this story would be a “tad ” bit different than mine.  
Last night we spent the night in a very nice hotel in Danang, a slight upgrade from our usual accommodations.   Today our day started off with a great buffet breakfast, complimentary from our hotel, which allowed us to try some unusual local Vietnamese foods we would be too intimidated to try on the streets.  Some were actually tasty.  After breakfast we each treated ourselves to a manicure and pedicure.  Matt’s first experience with this luxury.  The total for both of us, including tip was 120,000 dong.  ($5.36). Things are expensive around here!

The hotel arraigned a driver to take us to Hoi An and he actually spoke English…and he found our Homestay on the first try.  Things are looking good.  We took advantage of the free bicycles to ride to the beach in need of some sunshine!  We stopped on our way back to have a light lunch and a couple of beers and then headed back to our Homestay.  So far so good.  

Matt had the map so I was following him, enjoying the ride and the bustling little town while trying not to run into anything or get run over.  I arrive at an intersection, did Matt go left…or right.  Hmmm.  I figure the best thing to do is wait for him as I am sure my dear husband of 32 years will realize I wasn’t following him and turn around to get me.  I wait 5, 10 minutes and still no Matt.  My women’s intuition tells me he went left so I cruise up the street and no Matt.  So I go back and go right instead, no Matt.  I try to call him, no answer.  (I remembered he left his phone in the room).  I am now realizing I have no map, no wallet, I have tried twice to get on the Internet and failed and we are staying at a Homestay so I can’t ask for directions.  (I don’t even know the name of the street our Homestay is on!).  Right before total panic sets in, Matt calls me.  ( He went back to the room to get his phone). All part of the adventure I guess.

New rule:   Matt has to wait at intersections for me and I need to always carry a map, (which may not help much as I have already lost a few maps on this trip). He may have to buy me a $5 foot massage to make up for it!

Matt’s Rebuttal:  you need to envision streets packed with shoppers, bicycles and motorbikes all jockeying for position, horns beeping, bike bells ringing and street hawkers selling their wares.  I am leading the way and trying to make sure that my lovely wife of 32 years is behind me.  I can only look back when I have a few open feet of road ahead me lest my 220 lbs runs over some little Vietnamese woman selling fruit.  I think what probably happened was Terri saw a nice dress or something unique and was distracted long enough for me to be lost in the crowd (and I stand-out pretty well).  My temporary insanity did cost me a few apologies, a bottle of wine and a hand tailored dress.  All is good.