Being American

Has never been so awkward.

First let me preface this story. Julie and I left Cambodia on thursday. We took a boat down the Mekong River to the Vietnamese border town of Chau Doc. The boat ride was really nice. On this big longboat there were only Julie, a Japanese couple, the boat staff, and I. Chau Doc was a cool little town. Less touristy but definitely a major traveler hub. It was also strange to have our D-List celebrity status back. We took a cyclo (bike chariot rickshaw looking thing) from the pier to our hotel. That night we booked a 2 day Mekong Delta package that would drop us off at Ho Chi Minh City, better known as Saigon.

The tour was alright, 3 meals and 1 night accomodation plus transportation for $31. I don't even know what the price is in dong. Yes, the official currency of Vietnam is the Dong. Anyways. As part of our tour we went to a minority village where (shockingly) they wanted us to buy things. Then went to a fish farm (not as cool) then we went on our way to the town of Can Tho. There were 2 options for the trip. Hotel and homestay. We wanted a little more authentic experience so we chose the homestay. In Can Tho we got on another boat and went to this little village (I forget the name). The house was awesome and the feast for dinner was some of the best food I've ever eaten. We basically made our own spring rolls. The owner of the house, Hung, took us on a tour of the village. Thats when things got awkward.

Everyone's first question is "where are you from?". Never before have I been ashamed to say America. Upon hearing that, people would talk in Vietnamese and point at us. Then Hung would tell us that their [insert relative here] was killed by an American solider. They were also not shy to tell us that during the war the Americans dropped over 500 bombs on the village in 48 hours, killing 700 people. THEN they took us to see a bomb crater. Most awkward moment ever.

Now we're in Ho Chi Minh City, better known as Saigon. Much less awkward. Tomorrow we're going to Nha Trang to chill on the beach. I also hear their booze cruises are legendary...