THE WOMEN OF SAIGON

After we had rested for most of the afternoon yesterday we went out to look for somewhere to eat - we found a restaurant called Noodle/Noodle and had a lovely meal - the waitress took a photograph of us, which I have put in as an extra.

As we walked, it was obvious that the Festival celebrating Áo dài was still continuing with beautiful ladies and one or two men modelling the various styles as you will see in my extra collage today.

I have been reading up about this item of clothing and found this out: "The most popular style fits tightly around the wearer's upper torso, emphasizing her bust and curves. Although the dress covers the entire body, it is thought to be provocative, especially when it is made of thin fabric. The Áo dài, it is said 'covers everything, but hides nothing'", which we could see was very true. If you look back to my Blip for yesterday and the first extra, you will see all the ladies are wearing these beautiful garments.

I decided this morning, after an early breakfast that I would go out looking for women to photograph in Celebration of International Women’s Day, a challenge set by Blip Central, so here is my contribution - it would be difficult to choose only one - so another collage, so I hope you don't mind!

Most of these women work on the pavements - and the lady who was giving the pedicure did look at my feet enquiringly - but I definitely wouldn’t have had mine done because I can’t bear them being touched.

The lady in the top right was asking if we wanted any laundry done - we told her we would look for her if we did!

Many of the women who were cooking were doing a very good trade although I’m not sure whether they would obtain a Hygiene Certificate if they were working in the UK.  I guess many people get up early to ride into the city for work but then have their breakfast “on the run" before they reach their office or shop.

Bread rolls filled with fried eggs seemed to be very popular and, of course, anything that goes with rice, which was cooked in metal bowls on a little barbecue, including beef, chicken and pork along with plenty of fresh vegetables.

Although the pavements don’t look that clean, probably because of the food and drink that has been spilt over the years, they are constantly brushed - with the rubbish being swept into the gutter and then collected every day - and again the rubbish collectors are often women.

It’s fair to say you can buy practically anything on the streets - sunglasses, purses, cigarettes, matches, lottery tickets, newspapers and food and we were often accosted and asked to buy things, but have resisted so far.  

I have to confess that we haven’t bought any food from the street traders - and don’t think we will be doing so any time soon.  In fact, we have just been into our favourite coffee shop where they make a delicious latte - the young lady in the second photograph on the bottom left is making an iced latte and was happy for me to take her photograph.

Of course, there are the women who have nothing to sell, so ask the tourists for money, and also those who are too old to do anything but sleep, especially in this heat.

Our stay at the Liberty Central Riverside is coming to an end today - and the young lady in the second photograph down on the left has been opening the door and smiling at us all the time we have been here.  Despite the fact that they probably receive very meagre wages, most Vietnamese people seem to be smiling - as Jules says often "They are content with their lot" and if they get a job, then they stay in that job and give it their all.

We aren't sure where we will be sleeping tonight - see PS below - Jules has arranged for us to stay in a hotel in Saigon, as a gift for our Golden Wedding anniversary (which is actually tomorrow) from him and our other son, Martyn and our daughter-in-law, Dawn.  I received a message from our other son, Martyn, last night, to tell us to be ready at 5.30 pm tomorrow evening in our hotel, as we were being collected and taken out for dinner.  Exciting and surprising times.

Thank you all once again for coming on our journey with us - it's been a busy time in Saigon, and we leave early on Wednesday morning to fly to Hong Kong - where it will be just as busy - and we are having a Blipmeet!!

P.S.  I just HAD to put in a PS after I had said we didn't know where we would be sleeping tonight!  Jules arrived and brought us to The Reverie, Times Square, Saigon and I have to say that we are absolutely "blown away"!!  I am putting in another collage, so that you can see some photographs of the wonderful suite we are staying in on the 32nd Floor.  WOW and WOW again!

When the receptionist brought us up she said "Don't cry when you see your room!"  She ended up crying and hugging me and saying she was so happy for us!  Jules' girlfriend, Nga, had arranged to have some photographs on the desk - and one of us on our Wedding Day - you can imagine all the tears!  

Anyway, don't think we will be going anywhere much today or tomorrow, but will just enjoy our surroundings with special thanks to our lovely family!