Camel Bus

The Camel did make it to Hue. However, the experience was and an experience. I was lead to believe that there would be other overseas tourist on the bus. I was the only one but my new Vietnamese friends shared some cake and I some fruit and I used my basic dialogue. Are you married? Do you have children? and right back at you.

The bunk could be comfortable if was the the size of most Vietnamese. Even at my scrawny 5 foot 10 inches I am taller than most Vietnamese and the berth was just too short. I must have sleep becuase I actually feel pretty rested. My bus mates wondered why I didn't take the plane? I began to wonder too when in reading the guide book it said the flight was only $35 dollars. However, that was 4 years ago and we know that the dollar is taking a beating so my 7 dollar trip is still a good deal.

The bus had air conditioning and that was nice and I think helped clear the air. The bus was very clean and nice and in Vientam style we were meet at the bus door with a bag to put your shoes in and option for paper slippers.

I talked for a little while with Thuy (this is another new one) who apparently is an employee of the Marine Protection Agency and was on his way down to collect some water samples. Our converstation was short since they started playing music videos loudly. There were 3 and they were very contrasting. Traditional Vientamese ballad, then some very martial sounding music with vigiorous singing and in the background soldiers marching and it looked like fighting in a battle. This was followed by a very graphic music video in English that had lots of double entendres. I hope that my fellow bus mates could not understand since it made be blush. Twain said that "Humans are the only animal that blushes; and need to."

Fortunately they did turn this off around 11PM. I awoke to see countryside and mountains in the distance and miles of rice paddys. Many people were in the fields cultivating; I don't understand how you grow rice but find it interesting. I think that there is growing prosperity in the country with many nice house and new ones under construction. Looks like people build then as they get materials. I saw people making bricks and carving beams. Not alot of wood to use and they save it for only the needed spots.

Liter is a problem but not as much as Hanoi and the sky is BLUE!!!!

I got off the bus at the stop in Hue which apparently is the first stop not the one I wanted. I had to take a taxi accross town and even with bargining it was almost 1/3 what it had cost me to come to Hue from Hanoi

The hotel is very new. Only open now 3 weeks. Even the push cabs did not know where it was.
The staff is a little too attentive but they are students at the Tourist Academy for Hotel Workers and Management and this is part of their grade so I understand.

Well off to see Hue with more news to follow later.