Today was amazing. Our first day in Vietnam together, exploring what Ho Chi Minh has to offer. Before I start, a recount of our arrival the night before...
Anna received her visa, we had our passports stamped (stamp #1 for the record) and we hopped in a taxi to make our way to the Vy khanh Guesthouse.

Our taxi driver did not understand English and we, of course, couldn't speak a word of Vietnamese to save ourselves. It was my first interaction/ conversation with a local and included a lot of smiles and laughter (that kind of laughter that occurs when you resign to the fact that there is no way you'll be able to understand the person you're dealing with). Scooters, taxis and cars were all around, going in many directions. Even spotted a passenger on a motorbike taking care of a 50" flat screen. It was an amazing blur of signs, headlights, scooters, taxis and people.

To my relief ( as we obviously had no idea which direction was which and had put all our faith in our knowledgable taxi man) we finally arrived at Vy Khanh's. We greeted a family member, climbed five flights of the most narrow stairs I've ventured, showered, and appreciated a good pillow.

Awoke at some hour before the sun rose. Pondered where I was and what crazy world I had just entered. Fell asleep. Woke up again (8am Vietnam - 12pm home) and felt 100% revived.
Exchanged money (US for Dong) with Vy Khnanh. Was given coffee and a map of the surrounding area and then started our day's venture. Upon walking to the front street we we're instantly recognized as innocent virgins of this world by two eager cyclo riders (kind of like a bike with a carriage). They were extremely keen and faced paced, whisking us away to a tour booking agency before we knew it. This was the time to be strong willed. We politely told them we were just walking to find breakfast. It was tough, but we managed to escape.

Kim's, our first breakfast was simple and wonderfully cheap! 30,000 dong each ($1.20). Can't believe it! It included fruit salad and a banana crepe. The local Ho Chi Minh markets followed, where we were confronted with hordes of Vietnamese, selling t-shirts, undies, shorts and pants. We then saw a pretty full-on meat and seafood section, followed by a discovered vegetable and noodle corner store for lunch, costing 30,000 dong ($1.50 for both of us).

This blog seems to be quite long... So fast tracking the rest of my first day in my first foreign country, writing my first blog about it all... HCM highest tower (very high). Pho's for tea along tourist strip where we at vegetable pho (soup)(basic). ABC bakery - French/ japanese (amazing/ incredibly cheap!). Met the owner who introduced himself as the 'director', stayed to eat and was given some welcoming delights - on the house! Back to Vy Khanh's for another amazing sleep.

So that's our first night and first day. It was an eye opener.