Departure: SAIGON, Arrival: PHAN THEIT

I finished reading Kafka on the Shore just as the train headed to a halt. REALLLY Enjoyable novel...which can be expected when you pick up a Haruki Murakami book. However, the ride was quite the opposite. Those wooden seats can get a bit unbearable at times. However, lost comfort was made up with some great scenery.

Its much different here....as expected.

During the four hour train ride, Saigon is the only thing that resembles a city. But once we got out of Saigon, which only takes 30 minutes, its a different story. The rest of the way is more rural consisting of plenty of lush vegetation - from ordinary shrubry and bushes to banana trees and tobacco plants. An occasional cow every so often. My cousin would point out some things here and there as I was reading. I didn't mind. Prior, I never knew how rubber was collected from the trees - now I know. It was shocking to see so much produce and so little farmers. Even more, there were no houses or dwellings in plain site. They did their farming and god know where they did their sleeping.

The rural areas got depressing, yet stayed interesting at the same time to say the least.....quite the sight, really.

On the train, a lady missed her stop and flipped out. The cussing and raging got her nowhere though. Shes gonna have to waste at least another four hours till she arrives to her final destination. Its her fault really, so it goes.

After multiple stops to the middle of nowhere, we arrived at Phan Thiet - A coastal city famously known for their fish sauce. We'll be staying here for the next three days and two nights. Im rooming with my moms high school friends son, Anh. Hes about my age and he drinks, which is a plus. My mom, sister and cousins are in the other room. Both rooms are the same size.

After we ate, we walked the beach a bit. I manned and film camera while the others manned the digital. During this, I noticed my wide angle lens is fucked up, so the pictures I've been snapping with it are gonna be fucked. Im bummed for a awhile, but i eventually get over it. Whatever.

Im here now resting in my room with a great view of the outside. Tonight I'm gonna take a dive in the pool and sleep. Don't know exactly whats gonna happen after that though.