Vietnam Part 7 - Final Post...

Hello There

I haven't been around for a few days since I have had a few visitors - Mr Chestin Fection and Mr Sinus Fection and they brought along their friend Mr Vertigo!  Boy has this been a few rough days.  I am not sure how long I can stay on my puter as I am having trouble focusing (or staying awake) for very long.  It started late Saturday afternoon and I haven't been in my Craft Room since.  Boo Hoo!

I missed my T on Tuesday yesterday too.  The layout I wanted to share is waiting to be photographed having finished it on Friday, but I cannot look down to take the shots, so I thought I would share with you the last few layouts of my Vietnam Album.  It may make us all feel a little warmer for a few moments and we can ignore that thrashing rain and wind that is coming down outside our windows.

Once the ride had finished a little way outside Saigon, we were bussed in to our hotel.  They would not let us cycle in to the main capital due to Mr Elf n Safety!  After I had seen the way they rode in on the outskirts I was quite relieved!

Some of us went to their Blind Institution where some of the blind of Saigon earn money as masseurs.  Let me tell you it was both enjoyable and painful.  After all those miles cycling our legs were pretty muscular and some of us had mild burns on the backs of them, including me.  Then it was Dinner and on to a club where a few got very drunk.  I knew I had to be up early the next morning as I was being taken around Saigon by a friend, Mandy, whom I had arranged to meet up with.  We had 3 hours until we had to be back at the hotel to be taken to the airport.  I did not want a hangover for that time.

The top left picture is of the main market from outside my hotel room.  The card is of the hotel.  The larger picture on the right is of the main Post Office.  It was fabulous.  The Church on the left is their "Notre Dames" and as we were taking photos a newly married couple were having their wedding photos taken and we were asked to be in their photos.  Apparently it is the done thing to have Westerners in your wedding photos, no matter how casual they look!  It had happened earlier on in the trip too.

Top right photo shows you what I mean about the driving in Saigon.  Frenzied and no mercy shown!  Yes we took a ride on rickshaws.  I couldn't believe they could smoke and cycle with us on there.  We also took a ride on mopeds too.  No helmets either!  Scary.

The last page below is a montage of photos.  It seems so long ago now but is still remembered with much fondness.  We did all keep in touch for a little while, but not long after the trip Anne left RNIB and moved, and some got married and moved and it all kinda phizzled out, mores the pity.  I still would do it all again, and the hard work taken to raise £2,601 was well worth it in the end.  As I am nearing another big birthday, I have been asked if I will do something like this again.  Ask me on a day when I am feeling better!

Thanks for popping round.  I will try and get to you all over the next few days but time on laptop is limited to how long I can focus.

Hettie