22 July 2007

Xe Om




To hop on the back of a motor bike here is called "xe om" (pronounced 'say om'). It took me a few weeks before I got up enough courage to this, but once you start - its hard to stop. It is a bit like that first time walking across the street in HCMC. You get this crazy feeling of achievement: 'I made it - alive'!

It took Hillaria even longer to decide that she could try. But by now she has racked up a dozen or so rides, so she is definitely a local.

Just about any man sitting on a street corner on a motor bike is ready to take you wherever you want. Usually for about 80 cents - but I probably over pay! I also think that this is definitely a process you need to go through if you want to buy and ride around on your own.

We are getting closer to the Vespa!

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