Hello all...I am currently in the town of Chau Doc on the Vietnamese
Cambodian Border. Well...after I emailed you last night....the town of
Cantho was filthy! There were rats in the street at night, garbage and
sewer every where. I had to eat...so I played it safe with fried
rice...even still....I wonder what goes on in back in the kitchen! I was
exhausted last night...and we had to get up at 6 am this morning. I had
breakfast and we left at 7 am back into the jungles and the Mekong Delta.
The first adventure was the floating markets which were incredible. The
locals all come out on boats and buy, sell and trade their goods namely
fruits, vegetables, and livestock. Its hard to describe but it was
incredible...sheer chaos on the river. The locals do not have to pay tax
doing transactions on the delta. We then went into the jungle again on
another boat....we stopped at a rice farm and saw how rice paper and rice
were made. There were also pigs...ready to be slaughtered. We then
continued deeper into the jungle and saw how the local people live on stilt
houses....it was the slums...sewage poured right into river, trash, steamy
hot, and the people lived in homes built on stilts made of tin and lumber
and cardboard...but they all ran outside with beaming smiles and the
children waved. WE then went to another floating market which was just as
fun.

After we went back to the town of Can Tho where I had snake! yes..it
tasted like chicken but much chewier...A group had bought it and asked if I
would try it. As often is the case on these adventures I said YES! When
else am I going to have a chance to eat snake. The thing is they take the
snake from and aquarium right in front of you, slaughter it and cook it. They
were also doing the same with frogs, prawn, and carp...which Id have some
of the carp as well. I have the pics to prove it.

I then boarded a bus and we headed for 1 1/2 hours up the river to a small
village where we visited crocodiles! They were incredible.....We then went
another 1 1/2 hours up the river by a van...filled with sweat, smell, to a
place called Mt. Sam on the Cambodia Border. In 90 degree heat and 200%
humidity...I climbed the mountain....and reached my first pagoda! It was a
challenge to climb in this heat...the Pagoda was beautiful and one of the
local nuns showed me how to do a Buddhist prayer. This was my first time in
a pagoda and didn't not know that all pagoda's are places of worship for
Buddhism! I then walked back down the mountain and got back on the bus for
a quick drive to Chau Doc which is on the Mekong River and is the border
crossing to Cambodia.

Tomorrow...will be a long travel day by boat for 6 hours across the border
to Phnom Penh the capitol of Cambodia. I have to admit I've been very
careful about what I eat and how it is prepared...but it is nerve wracking
as this has been the most dirty place I have ever visited...I just close my
eyes, eat and hope for the best. We are now deep in Malaria
territory....there are outbreaks we were told...but I'm taking my Malarone
with no side effects. Also....I did not get any of the Mekong River Water
on me...I did not want to get giardia or parasites or typhoid! So the sun
has set...my friend is resting and I am dripping with sweat...Though today
didn't seem as bad...I think I'm just getting used to it.

Of all of my adventures...I have to admit...I think this one has been the
most exotic and at times the most demanding on me. There is constantly
noise, honking, motorcycles, people yelling, and very crowded...constantly
my sense are assaulted...by the end of each day I feel like I can't hear or
see being bombarded so much of every moment of every day. I'm truly glad I
was able to make this journey now...as I have not encountered many
travelers older than myself...most are 18,19, maybe mid 20's.

It's a reminder that I must seize the day and opportunities now..as we never
know when we may have another chance....since age, time,life...eventually
takes it's toll!

With that...I think I will go get some water and probably have Pho
tonight..since that is the national dish and I have not yet had any and I
leave Vietnam tomorrow for country number 26!

Until later.....
With peace,