robertrankin.org

Sorry for the lack of updates… I’ve been in training for the past two weeks, and have had next to no free time whatsoever.

Training is now finished, and tomorrow I start working, leading a group of 15 passengers on tour for two weeks in Vietnam.

I’m a little nervous, but mostly excited. Wish me luck.

I’ll have some more text and some pics soon.

Mostly unpleasant AA flight from NYC to Paris. Uncomfortable seats which recline at max 2 inches left me stiff after the 6-hour flight.

Onboard, just after being served my dinner, a passenger in the next row starts screaming. A stewardess runs over.. There’s a grasshopper in the passenger’s salad! (Having just eaten my salad, of course, I try to ignore what’s going on, but it’s impossible.) The passenger, a stout, black, French woman is freaking out. Soon she is hyperventilating, and standing in the aisle facing me, one hand on the seat in front of me the other on the seat I’m sitting in. There are two stewardesses trying to move her to the back of the plane where she can lay down. A man from 10 rows up comes back and announces he’s a physician. They get the woman calmed down, and sucking oxygen. Five minutes later she’s back in her seat and things are back to normal. I consume the rest of my meal warily, but completely.

A few minutes after dinner, my self induced sleep kicks in, and I wake up an hour outside Paris with my breakfast tray of croissant, coffee & juice in front of me.

Uneventful transit. I bought nothing at CDG because I did not want to deal with changing money. Though the beer looked extremely appetizing, even at 11 AM.

Onboard my chilly and comfortable Vietnam Airlines flight as I type this currently over Eastern Europe. My plan is to have dinner, watch a movie, then get some sleep before arriving to Saigon in 10-hours time. That’s all for now.

Update: Made it safely and on time. Been in Saigon now for about 2 hours. Here’s where we are so far:

I was met at the airport by a nice and quiet taxi driver bearing a name card with my first, middle and last name. That was cool.

Stepping out of the airport onto the parking lot, the first thing which hit me was the heat. The taxi driver cranks up the AC as soon as we step in.

Second thing I notice was the motorbikes. For every car or van, you have probably 100 motorbikes. They literally fill the streets.

Third, the horns. Every motorbike has a fully functional horn. And the pilots use it because…

Fourth, no traffic rules. Wow. I have to get some video of this.. it’s amazing.

After 30 minutes in the taxi we arrive at the Tour Leader house, and I’m met by my manager, who’s on his way out the door to China, and another tour leader who will be my trainer. Also here are the “house-Mom” Vin, a sweet Vietnamese lady who looks after things, I suppose. The house is currently getting renovated which makes taking a nap out of the question..

Heading out for a walk in a bit to make some calls, change some money, and post this..

More later.

Here we go:

JFK > CDG Paris
American Air # 0120
Depart: 9:35 pm
Arrive: 10:55 am (15 Sept)

CDG Paris > SGN Saigon
Vietnam Air # 0532
Depart: 2:00 pm
Arrive: 7:10 am (16 Sept)

To all my friends and family,
I have enjoyed your company immensely over the last few weeks of an extended farewell. Thanks. I’ll be in touch.
Next stop, Vietnam….

Hen gap lai… (see you later)

-Rob