See you, Saigon Part I

Note: I'm mad at past Alexia for not taking the time to finish my Vietnam experience. Especially since my time in HCM has been filled with family. Alas, I will try my best to relive what happened and express my thoughts.

My 3 and a half days in Saigon was a whirlwind of family and reliving the past weeks in a new city where modern meets history. My bus ride was a a looooong ride and I'm thankful for my aunties (I'm referring to every awesome woman I met as auntie because otherwise I'll have to say my mom's dad's brother's daughter. Well I guess it's not that complicated..but you get the idea). They waited a long time for me to arrive since there was traffic. This was my aunt's family friend. They picked me up and took me to my hotel they generously got me.  After some coordination with my other auntie, they decided I would stay with her (my mom's dad's brother's daughter). Before they dropped me off at her place, they took me out to get really good dinner and dessert. I learned they are rock stars (I swear I recognize her in some of the chinese music video performances playing on tv playing in the playground).

After, they dropped me off at my auntie's house.  I should say this day I spent most of it on the bus so comparatively, I was relatively cleaner than most days. Apparently my threshold for what's presentable got a little lower in my time traveling through Vietnam. They called my family back in the states to reassure them I came to them looking a little homeless before they took me in 😂

The next day they took me to the beach! One, they told me, that my mom and aunts used to go to. They rented a nice passenger bus for a family outing. We went stopped by a great seafood restaurant before hand

The little kids in true fashion asked for fast food so some of the adults went out and got KFC for them lawlz. Also, they made this drink that was delicious - sprite, lemon and salt I think?

I had such a wonderful time with them! On the way home, we went to this really hidden restaurant, like we had to get off the bus and it looked like a neighborhood. No real sign indicating there would be a restaurant. It was a great find!

For the most part, the relatives spoke Vietnamese obviously but mainly Cantonese. Growing up I was ESL, (some old home videos I was quite fluent), and along the way I lost a lot of it. I don't think it was until this trip and being with them that I felt like I was suffocating with my Chinglish. I can understand easier than speaking. When I tried to talk to them, I could feel the Chinese words taking vague shapes and sounds in my throat but I would choke on them because they were never fully quite right.

I'm so incredibly grateful  for this to be my first full day in Saigon - to be connected to family and be on the beach!