March 2, 2001
We go out for a celebratory dinner again tonight - to Caravelle Hotel for an all you can eat seafood dinner. Per person, it's only $18USD - 2 weeks salary for most people. I got paid at the end of the month which makes me an instant millionaire in Vietnamese dollars.

It's pretty hot here still, and I'm considering a trip back to the US in July, when my return trip air ticket expires. Mom says I'll probably need a break from the city by then.
All kids who are in school get out about the same time - all students in Vietnam are required to wear a uniform. This way, they get caught if they're playing hookey (sp.?) since they leave home in uniform and their parents would know. Public school here requires payment (yes, it's supposed to be a socialist republic) and so there are plenty of poor kids who roam the streets growing up uneducated and uncared for. Healthcare is also a problem, because doctors are so underpaid (about $100 USD per month) that they will do work under the table for cash (hence, only the rich can afford proper care). Not that healthcare is any better in the US.

Work is going well. I'm almost finished and hope to go to Phan Thiet next week where mom's from; home of a beautiful beach and red sand dunes.
ciao. h.

March 1. Sai Gon I’ve been busy at work because we go to print on Monday. I have sent some pictures to my sister, and she’ll be posting them on her site at www.saigonsoldier.com where you can view them.

Lately I haven’t been getting much sleep, and now all the aunts have returned from HaNoi and HaLong. Last night I went to a birthday dinner for a famous Vietnamese composer whose name I can’t even recall since I’m a numbnut that way. Tonight we go to dinner for my aunt’s birthday – perhaps we’ll go to 2 or 3 restaurants an evening, which is what I’ve been doing for the last 3 days – EATING as always.

I’ll cut short, as I’m about to get picked up.
h.