Bansch & Lomp

Just purchased a nice pair of sunglasses from a shop down the street. They're Ray Bans and I know beyond any hint of a doubt that they're the real and genuine article because it says right there on the leather (or is that pleather?) case they came in 'Sunglasses by Bansch @ Lomp'. Go stick that in your IP (intellectual property) pipe and smoke it! Or perhaps it's all part of a joke. Sometimes humor is where you absolutely insist on finding it.


Speaking of humor, I took my second tour down to the Mekong Delta area last week along with my friends Ethan and Leah Elder from San Francisco who were here on business for a few days. It was really nice seeing and spending time with them. We took the tour with the same company I took it with last year and had the same tour guide. He's a real character and his tenuous grasp on simply being able to convey to us in English the tour's highlights didn't deter him in the least from attempting to regale us with jokes. Yes, the same jokes I heard last year. The jokes with the long painful set-ups followed by the anemic punch lines that evoked more of a puzzled and confused response than anything resembling a laugh. But he soldiers on, year after year, a warrior comedian who must think to himself that if he weren't getting paid to do this he wouldn't bother trying to amuse these foreigners, none of whom seem to have any sense of humor whatsoever. Taking the tour again was still well worthwhile however, because I was with my friends Leah and Ethan and also because I missed some highlights the first time around such as the crocodile pool where one could not only view these fascinating primordial creatures, but also torture, I mean feed, them with chunks of rotting meat hanging from a string on a bamboo pole. See video below.

Ethan remarked, and I have to agree, that the countryside between Saigon and the Mekong is reminiscent of the same in Mexico. As much as I admire and enjoy the people of Vietnam, their treatment of the environment leaves a lot to be desired. This is not entirely their own fault of course nor is this any news flash for them and I imagine (and hope!) this is one part of the Vietnamese way of life that will improve as their economy does. I remember the campaign in the United States in the 1970's to persuade Americans to stop littering. Who could forget the American Indian with his creased face moistened by a tear after a passing car discarded a bag of garbage at his moccasined feet? The mind runs wild with ideas of a similar Vietnamese campaign.


I know I've been in this backpacker district too long because I'm getting hassled less by the touts on the street who peddle everything from motorbike rides to sunglasses and hammocks. Either they now recognize me and know not to waste their breath or I'm carrying an expression on my face that broadcasts 'leave me alone'. Either way, too long. But I enjoy not being hassled.


Crossing streets has become routine, but there are still some harrowing moments on wide busy thoroughfares with lots of truck and car traffic. I still haven't set foot on the island in front of the Ben Thanh market, but I hope to someday as I know it can be done. It's a bit intimidating as you can see from the pic below.



I'll finish this post with an amusing sight I observed on the Saigon River a few days ago: a small boat with 2 men aboard, the one in the back operating the oars with his feet and legs. And what was the man afore doing? No free rides on the Saigon River, as he was busy bailing the moving boat with a plastic bucket! It seemed to be a well matched partnership and well thought out division of labor as they glided merrily along.

Apparently crocodile mothers consider the teaching of table manners as way down the list. Or maybe these are all scruffy swamp orphans.

Observe the promised land across the wide gulf fraught with peril where sits the the god Trafficus on his proud steed. I want to someday set foot on that hallowed ground, but so far lack the courage.