Week 7: The prequel.

Given that this is a class free week, I'm going to take the liberty of posting whatever I feel like for this week. I recently rediscovered a small diary I had written in my phone which encompasses my first first couple days of this trip. I found it pretty entertaining especially considering how insanely exhausted I was at the time of writing. So here it is.

Notes from the trip

19/10/2018 The flight to Singapore. Very turbulent leaving Melbourne and over south Australia. Course was diverted further west to avoid the rough weather. as a result food was served much later and I was very hungry. Seat was 56K, a window seat on the rear right hand side of the plane. I think it would be a good idea in future to always book towards the back of the plane because it was barely half full. Very spacious and no need to be conscientious of other people's space. Some passengers even had entire rows to themselves to lie down and sleep in. Didn't really sleep on the flight. Food was alright. Was quite hungry for more. Watched one movie (Isle of the Dogs) and a few episodes of Atlanta.

Some interesting artwork above the toilet in Changi Airport. And yes, I flushed it real good.

CHANGI Airport: Singapore

First impressions? Long. Long place. But otherwise feels very familiar inside. Probably due to the similarity in Singaporean and Australian dollars, widespread use of English and similar demographics to Melbourne. Feels safe and quite accommodating. After a bit of a fluster upon arrival I gained my bearings and Explored most of terminal 1 including the outdoor gardens and swimming pool. Going to have a nap now then get changed and check into the flight.

ARRIVING IN HCM. 20/10/2018

The descent over the Mekong Delta is spectacular from the air. The ground is tiled brown and green with fertile rice patties and the thick twisting rivers snake their way through the landscape. It's like looking at a flooded grassland. the dry land only barely peaking out from the water. The clouds were expectant, pregnant with rain and as you draw nearer to the airport the megalopolis of Saigon rushes to greet you. Houses seemingly built over one another struggling and clambering to reach the surface. As if the houses have over-bred and outgrown their enclosure.

HCMC first impressions.

Chaotic, sticky, smelly, dirty, confusing

Day 2. 21/10/2018

Today was tough really. I had been under the impression that by the end of today I would have moved into a permanent place but sometimes things don't work out which is why a backup plan is a wonderful thing, if you have one. I walked to new Saigon apartments along the major highway. I was tense I suppose but happy to get bearings about the place. It was hot, clear skied exceptionally smelly. HCMC seems to have no gradient when it comes to wealth, rich and poor simply coexist. Probably parallel but very close by. Today I passed a Lamborghini Aventador stopped at the lights next to a truck and the throng of scooters and it didn't even feel so out of place. I also noticed that this time of the year must be mating season. Kittens and puppies are everywhere. Strays or even sold from scooter on the highway. The apartment complex seemed very nice albeit a little crumbly. It had all the amenities I could require for a semester. Plenty of food around and options for breakfast, wide spaces, a pool and most importantly the company of other students. Only one problem, it had already been promised to someone else days earlier. Really glad I was alerted about this after the inspection :(((

Reading back all I can say is, first impressions aren't everything. But I think the things which we notice straight away tell us more about ourselves than it does about the location.

-T