What did I do on 7th March? Woke up late. I was in the bathroom when housekeeping started knocking on my door. I said 10 minutes and closed the door. Got ready and off to the beach. Walked as usual. A lot of walking every day. Found myself a spot and read for a while. Ate some snacks. Always have snacks in my tote bag.
The Mountains Sing. A Vietnamese book. A multigenerational story set during the Vietnam War.
"I wonder why foreign armies kept invading our country. First it was the Chinese, the Mongolians, the French, the Japanese, and now the American imperialist."
"War isn't kindness or sympathy, Huong. War is death, sorrow, and misery."
As I was sitting and reading, from my peripheral vision, I saw a father take the seat next to me. He was watching his son play in front. I didn't even look at them, but I thought they were Koreans. I'm not sure why. After sometime a couple with a kid took the seat. They left their bag on the edge of my seat, and I was sitting on the other side. Then an old white couple came and asked, pointing at the bag, if the seat was occupied. I pointed to the mother. She took the bag, then the couple sat. They sat and talked, watching people. I sat for some time and stood up to find another spot. I came and sat on a lawn under a tree and read for some time again. Like a cool girl. Ahem!
Time to go to the room. Had porridge. Took a nap.
Went out in the evening for a long walk to a vegan restaurant. Had vegan pho. Was yummy! Turns out it was very close to the hotel we stayed in last year. Came back walking again, right next to the sea. on the sand. Didn't take off my shoe, though.
Day 8 already!. Check out day. Check into a new hotel. Hotel booking charge should be paid by cash only, no card. Headed out to find an ATM/ currency exchange shop. The charge for withdrawing 2600000 d was 110000 d. Hold on. Better to exchange the USD I had in hand. Ended up in Han Market. As soon as I entered the market, an aunty grabbed my hand, showed me this coffee, that coffee, mango, and chocolate. Bought a coffee, 350000 d. I didn't feel like bargaining. Anyway, there was a price printed on the product. Later realised it was expensive. I should've bought a smaller packet. Asked the same aunty where I could exchange currency. She pointed to her neighbour, who asked me how much? I said 100 USD, she typed 2600000. I thought, okay. It's better than the rate I got at the airport, at least.
Something funny happened. That aunty asked where I was from. I said India. Then she went, "same same Vietnam". She meant I looked the same as a Vietnamese or something like that. Then she asked if my father was Vietnamese. I said no. Then, if my mother were Vietnamese. I said no. She got angry and turned away from me. I don't know if she was really angry or if it was just her way of expressing disappointment or disbelief. To me, she looked angry.
Got back to the hotel, paid in cash, and got into my room for the week. This place is quieter, with fewer crowds. Better for me.
After some rest, came out for lunch. I checked for vegan restaurants on the map first. Some 10 minutes walk away, there was a small place run by a family. Ordered fried rice with mushroom. They even gave soup along with it. Right quantity for me, tasted good also, only 40000 d. I should come back for dinner, I thought.
Walked along the Han river. Sat at a bench and continued reading The Mountains Sing. Came back to room in the evening.
After a nap, I got ready to go for dinner. But damn! it was raining. Didn't have an umbrella. Back to room. Boiled water and got a package noodle ready.
🎶🎶🎶
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