Foot and Fire

 After the Tinagong Dagat trek, 2009 This is how I looked after traversing the Bacolod to Talisay route using the trail via Tinagong Dagat.  No hiking experience, fresh from 8-5 desk job, no gears (not even a raincoat), I ended up like a Vietnamese finding refuge anywhere in the Mekong River paddies. If you can picture that, you know what I meant. Meanwhile, the expert hikers have raincoats, as pictured below. In short, my first travel tip is: Be prepared to look ridiculous!

Here are our photos of our half day cooking class at the Saigon Culinary Art Center. And yes, the chef looks like Pacquaio, just a little handsomer. We passed with certificates of recognition. In some photos, we were with a small lady. She is the interpreter who speaks English well but still with the accent and speed of the Vietnamese. We just have to listen intently to her as we had a skill test afterwards... So cute photo op corner... I am guarded by Ms. Intepreter and Mr. Chef. We are cooking up a fish sour soup using starfruit. Claypot lotus salad lotus salad on top of chicharon he's steaming rice instead of boiling My saigon-based friend, Ann with the Chef.  

We had our first bowl of beef soup called   Pho Bo   in a shop fronting a highway. We were busy eating, counting our millions, and taking photos of motorcycles rushing in the highway like swarm of black ants. The highway of HCMC is vibrant and dangerous. One can see women wearing the traditional dress and miniskirts driving the motorcycle while the bus is following. On the highway, there are a few bicycles competing with the motorcycles. On our first day, I was like on the brink of traffic accident for three times. First, we were afraid to cross the street because of the rushing motorcycles. Second thing, motorcycles pass through the sidewalk meant to be the footwalk so that pedestrians cannot just dilly dally in nooks and corners of the street. On our second day, we know what to do: run in crossing the highway and just walk straight with no hesitation as the motorcycle driver will just be the one to find his way. On the first day, I was forced by no choice to take a ri...