Cheap Seafood!

After another stunning, memorable, and beautiful ride further North up the coast I arrived in the town of Hue. I decided to spend the extra money on a sleeper train ticket which ended up being perfect for my current situation at the time. My back has not been doing so well lately and sitting on a bus for 8 hours just wasn't an option for me to take. This sleeper ticket enabled me to strecth out and take the stress and weight off my back. Along the way I was in a cabin with three other Vietnamese men. The two young men-cousin and uncle-in their mid-twenties were extremely friendly people and immediately we struck up a conversation about where we were all headed. The older 40ish man is teaching physical ed in Hue. Over a few beers with breakfast and lunch we all enjoyed the relaxing ride on the train to Hue.

What really stands out in all the coastal towns of Vietnam is the fresh seafood they all have to offer. I have been enjoying meals of peppered crab, ginger shrimp, grilled squid, and steamed fish. It's weird because all the backpacker tourists complain about the prices but yet it's three times more expensive anywhere in the Western Hemisphere. I mean how can you complain paying $2-3 for six jumbo size prawns? Or a small to medium size crab for $3.

The first day I rented a bicycle and explored the Northern section of Hue. One has to be very brave to take to the streets in any form of transportation in VIetnam as the traffic is chaotic and at times overwelming. I thought this also might be good for my back, being more active tends to help loosen it up a little. It ended up being painful but well worth it as I viewed the old property of the Chinese Citadel once home to Nguyen emperors during the 18th century. It is massive, surrounded by a huge moat and entered/exited through four main gates.

I also took a non-motorized boat trip along the river which ended up being more depressing than anything. It started with bargaining for a price then consisted of a visit to the river slums along the banks of the river. I was paddled up to boat after boat where Vietnamese families begged for money. At one boat I was offered prostitution from an older lady, I kindly declined. After about the third or fourth boat my paddler-spoke no English-took me to which again had families begging for my money, I started to get a little frustrated and motioned for her to take me to the day Market  on the North shore of the river.