Day 4 First Day on Motorbike

I was up at 3:00 AM anxious to get rolling and was picked up at the hotel and equipped with a bike. The bad news is – it started raining. I also had issues finding a helmet. Apparently my head is more egg shaped than the Vietnam folks so we had to go shopping. I got setup with a helmet and we headed out of town in all the traffic along side the other 5 million motorbikes. There are not many traffic lights so you just go and hope like hell no one hits you. It is the craziest thing I have ever seen. At one point my guide took a wrong turn so we did a u-turn and went up a ramp against the traffic. Now that was a bit different. We met trucks and cars – nobody really cared. Can you imagine doing this in the US? When you come to a “t” you don’t stop – you just keep trucking and the oncoming traffic will yield.

Once out of town I got more comfortable with the bike and really decided I have missed not having one. (I even inquired about buying the one I am riding on and having it shipped to the US). We went by numerous rice fields, corn fields and other unknown crops. We pulled over and walked out into a corn field where I got to meet the women running the hoe. I shook her hand which felt like leather. She was very friendly for not knowing any english. We had a farmer to farmer moment. Very cool! My dad would have loved to do the same.

The bike ride also brought back a memories of riding with my good friends from Washigton, Iowa. As I passed by the fields and seen the families all together working together it reminded me of the wholesomeness of my childhood.

As we continued north of Hanoi, the farm land turned into mountains with incredible views. I am currently staying overnight in the middle of nothern Vietnam with a homestay family. The mother is cooking dinner. The dog is licking my toe. I have no idea where I am and it is perfect! There are two other travelers here, one from Germany and the other from Calvary. They are having a good time drinking “happy water” while I am typing this blog. Oh, by the way, the electricity just went out. It is so dark – you can’t see your hand in front of your face. All I hear are crickets. Perhaps Rambo is lurking in the jungle!

The dinner was awesome – a true Vietnam meal.

I had many questions for my guide. I was very curious if the Vietnamese people like Americans. He said they really do – the war has been long forgotten and they hold no grudges. I find that interesting. He recently told me he took his 75 year old father to the Dr. While being examined, he seen a scar on his Dad’s upper thigh / buttocks. He had never seen it before so his father explaind while fighting in the war he was hit by bomb shrapnel. Very lucky to have survived.

Today we traveled about 100 miles. I really feel pretty good. Tomorrow the mountains become more beautiful – the terrain rougher. It will be a good day. The rain is moving out and the next few days will be warmer than normal. I find it interesting that the other guest here are running across the County without guides. I can’t imagine. My guide has taken me to areas unknown by other travelers. I feel very good having him lead the way. In some ways I feel like the late Anthony Bourdain. Can’t wait for tomorrow.