2.7.11

Travel II: Ho Chi Minh City

It's so good to be in Ho Chi Minh City again. Last time I visited was 2009, and so much has changed even in these two years- especially lots more infrastructure, and more tourist facilities. I'm a little sick, so thought I'd take my time sitting in the apartment to make another update.




(There are 9 million people living in HCMC, but only 500,000 cars. Almost everyone rides little motorbikes or scooters, and they follow their own unwritten and very loose road rules.)



(It's an awesome mix of old and new architecture here. The French colonial influence is still strong, and there's tonnes of beautiful dilapidated villas interspersed with the fancy apartments and traditional narrow buildings.)

(Uncle Ho still has a stronghold, and his image adorns most street corners.)



(We checked out L'Usine, which is a boutique and cafe housed in a factory built in the mid 19th century. I managed to sneak in a couple of photos before I was told not allowed!)


(Last night we went for cocktails (at $2.50 each) at a waterfront bar, but the humidity made my lens fog up and yielded some pretty interesting photos.)


Although I haven't been feeling amazing, we've been pretty busy. I brought some vintage fabrics with me to get made into dresses while I'm here, and my dad sent me to his tailor... who only do suits. Thanks, pops. Thanks to the power of Google, I found a womens' one, and have a couple of very reasonably priced things on the way to me. We've also been scouting markets for presents for people back home, and I've been rather successful. Those who have sent me emails and kept me up to date with the happenings in Christchurch will be rewarded!

I had a slightly embarrassing encounter at a market stall that was full of sweet twee dresses with cats and bunnies and apples and things on them. I found a lilac peter-pan collar blouse with a heart print and asked if I could try it on, which resulted in the cute, tiny girl who worked there telling me in broken English that I was too tall and fat for all her clothes... oh. I mean, I am absolutely a lot larger than your average Vietnamese person, and I know she didn't mean it as an insult, but I still felt good proving her wrong when the blouse fit me beautifully!

My time here is going by way too quickly. This time next week, I'll be back in the frost and rubble of my hometown. Time for a gin and tonic now- sure to cure what ails me, right?

12 comments:

  1. I love your dress in the first shot. I hope you post some pictures of the dresses you are getting made up in vintage fabric. The architecture looks amazing. I hope you're feeling better soon. The weather here is pretty freezing at the moment so make the most of the heat while you can.

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  2. Ohh it is such a different part of Asia! I love the colonial influence in the architecture!

    x
    Lost in the Haze

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  3. Just imagining that Peter Pan blouse you bought is sending me into fits of jealousy! I wish I was there with you! Also, I get that a lot too when I'm shopping in Hong Kong (too fat, etc.).

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  4. i cant believe she said that to you! i love your dress in the first picture and ps i sent your shoes out yesterday!

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  5. This looks like so much fun, Georgia!!!!!! I love your sundress in the first picture. I need to somehow convince you to send me cute clothes in exchange for art.

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  6. i bet the blouse looks adorable on you! and that's super exciting that you're getting some clothes tailored too, i can't wait to see what they look like! :D

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  7. We've all been there... Cool new café! Get smashed at the deck did you?

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  8. I realllly want to go there! It reminds me of all the research I was doing when it seemed like we might, damn it. But man that humidity sounds intense. Looking forward to the rest of your updates!

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  9. Such interesting architecture. Hope you feel better soon. Can't wait to see the tailoring results.

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  10. Haha, lost in translation! I love the first short of you very much, and the ones at night time. i wonder why you weren't allowed take photos!

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  11. SO lovely to meet you last night!!!
    I've just been catching up on your travels!! How bloody exciting! I've been to Thailand quite a lot,but never made it to Vietnam,but am very keen! I must say,you look far more stylish when you travel than I do!!!
    I imagine it must be difficult having your Dad living so far away,despite how thrilling it sounds....
    XXX
    O,yes,gagging to see what you had made!!!

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  12. Found you through Helga's blog and I am happy I did! What a fabulous trip, I have always wanted to go to Vietnam! I love your photos!

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