Tomorrow will be my last day in Saigon. I’ve been here 12 days, and it seems like i just arrived yesterday. I dont want to leave, but I have to. Sis and I are going to meet up in HaNoi and together we’ll explore the city.

Saigon. Where i was born. Where i held onto my Dad’s arm and listened to him every night as we walked under the plumeria tree, and he helped me dream and build my future. Where I went to high-school. Where I met my best friend Bich-Lan.

HoChiMinh City. Where I now am just a visitor. I come and stay in hotels. I eat out every day and night. I try to live as a local, by eating in the market, taking xe om, but am still an outsider peering into the life of the vietnamese.

Best thing for me here is I get re-acquainted with old friends from the same school promotion. These old hags are even closer to each other than before. I met one friend, and she picked up the phone and gathered all friends to come meet with me. Aline Hanh, Thien, Thanh Nhan, Jeanne Loi, Nguyet, Tuyet Hong, Tuyet Lan, Le Hang, Kim Thu, Minh Phuong. We go out together almost everyday, whether as whole group or small group. We had banh xeo at Long Huy, banh cuon at Banh Cuon La, family dishes at Quan Ta, central food at Quan Hue.

Some of these friends, I never talked to in high-school. We formed our own circles at school. They are more senior in age, party animals, and consist of Thien, Tuong-Vi, Aline Hanh, Kim-Thu. I was the younger one, joining the school in 5eme, and was a bookworm. I remember i felt so scared of Thien when we assembled and made a queue to walk back to class. I was all quiet and made myself invisible. Thien is now the sweetest girl, almost like my mentor during my trip home.

With Thien having banh cuon (steamed rolls)

Angela KimThu, me, Sang, and Jeanne Loi

Dinner at Banh Xeo Long-Huy. Clockwise: Jeanne Loi, Thanh-Nhan, me, Thien, Aline Hanh, Minh-Phuong,Angela Kim-Thu, Nguyet