Easy ride, nice day

 Rolled out of Yen Cat at. 9:30 leaving my negative four start hotel in my rear view mirror.  Traveling south on the Ho Chi Ming Route 15 did have the large hills I expected, at least no walkers, (pushing my bike up a hill).  One observation along the way, Vietnam is not lacking for kids,  They are everywhere. In fact, the whole population is young; very few old people.  One other interesting observation, for two days in a row, I have come across groups of prisons in green and white striped suits, escorted by two guards, one with a rifle slung over his shoulder.  One group was building a concrete block wall, the other was doing road work. Being as discreet as possible, I took a few pictures.  As a rolled by I cheerfully said hello to the guards and prisoners. All of them were very enthusiastic in return. I haven’t seem a prisoner work detail since I was eleven down in Atlanta.  Cuba and Vietnam should use them to pick all the litter and trash. It is everywhere.  Some places are fairly well cleaned up but that is the acception.  Where local farmers plant their gardens inches away from the road, the trash
is picked up. Out in the countryside it isn’t such a problem. In fact, when I was watching a Vietnamese television talk show, I decipher the topic; it was about the litter problem.
    Near the end of my ride, I passed a grammar school which was letting out. As usual, the kids enjoyed saying hello.   However, for two days running, one boy each day, about ten years old, hailed me to stop, then rode after me on their bikes. I was amazed at their tenacity. On one speed bikes, they climbed hills that I needed my granny gear to crest. Today, I motioned for the kid (Ho) to catch up as I slowed up a bit.  He repeated several times, “ I don’t speak English” but seemed interested in learning. After the basics of learning his name and age, I pointed at things and give him tmy name name and age. He repeated after me The words I had for various objects we passed and I enthusiastically praised him. He caught on quickly and we were both really into it. It was fun. Finally I stopped him for a picture. Another mile down the road, a motorbike pulled up and s teenager indicated to me that he was Ho’s brother.  It was apparent he was in trouble for not coming home on time. I rode on leaving Ho behind. He will probably never forget riding with the American on the fancy bike, learning English.  It was nice experience which I won’t forget either. A mile further down the road I arrived at Thai Hoa.  A group of young guys gathered around a road side table gave me directions to a nice hotel in the center of town. Unlike yesterday’s hotel,  this place was well kept.  A Madame-ish woman greeted me and show me the room. Last night was $15, tonight $12.50 (250.000 Dong).  On her recommendation, I had a late lunch a few storefronts down. Later I walked down the wide bussling street to see what was happening.  Motorbike stores everywhere and a collection other small stores selling anything from iPhones to clothing. After having an expresso at a cafe, then  buying more fruit and indulging myself  with a pastry, I  headed back.  Dinner followed several hours later.  This time at a place down a side alley hehind the main drag.  What a struggle it is trying to order something that is familiar. At least back at the hotel, the Madame was very helpful and seemed to catch on to whatever I needed.  She even bestowed upon me two oranges.  Tomorrow it is forty-two miles due south to Do lu ong.