The first thing is that it is hot here, and humid a lot. When it cools down, it feels really good. The next thing you notice is that people dress modestly. Not what you would expect in a hot country. Long sleeve shirts, long pants, lots of jackets. Impressive in 80-90 F heat. The women in particular have a style of dress that is classy without being overly sexualized or provocative. I have come to realize that I really appreciate that. It is decidedly un-American, but I don't really care for modern American popular culture, so I like it.
Traffic, especially in the big cities, is crazy. I am beginning to appreciate how effective it is, though. Lots of people are moving, mostly on scooters. scooters are far more effective than cars, simply because they are more maneuverable and smaller. If people here had cars like the U.S., traffic would look like...well, like I-5 through Seattle during "rush hour", which is to say at a standstill or crawl. The turning part took some getting used to. People turn in front of oncoming traffic, and the oncoming folks either slow down or go around. Pedestrians do not have the right of way, which I cannot get used to, at least not yet. I cringe when we have near-accidents, which is a constant in the city. Danang is not so crowded, so the pace is more comfortable.
When music is played in public, it is often classical piano. Went to a hotel bar recently and the pianist was playing Pachelbel's Canon in D. It is one of my favorites, played well. I also went to a department store and they were playing Western music - some woman screaming into a mike with the usual background noise. The contrast was striking.
Another great thing is how friendly people seem to be. It is really nice that people smile and say hello. Until last night, I had not been in a restaurant with a television. That has been so refreshing. Broke the streak last night, kind of a disappointment.
Western culture intrudes here like everywhere. Coca-cola, Pepsi, etc. Now that Vietnamese have traded walking and bicycles for Coke and scooters, I suppose it is only a matter of time before they start dealing with the weight gain issues so common in more developed nations.
Beer is indigenous, like Beire Larue. However, it makes one appreciate the craft beers of the PNW. They like Heineken here. Maybe it is because of the red star symbol. Some day they will discover Deschutes and Rogue breweries, I hope.
Food here has been mostly wonderful, but not so different than a vietnamese restaurant in Seattle or Bremerton. Lots of vegetables, rice variations, and meats. Restaurants are plentiful and cheap, so most people do not cook. Our meals tend to go on for a while, kind of like Italian dining. That is nice, but since I don't speak the language I can't tell stories or understand them.
No one really cares whether you use chopsticks or forks and spoons. Both are readily available. It seems common to use facial tissues for napkins, which works out about like you would expect. Sometimes I am the only one at the table using chopsticks.
Tonight is something new for me - I apparently do not have a dinner invitation. That means I am on my own for the first time. Should be an adventure.
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