A day of rest by the sea

   Sleeping in is waking up at 6:30, I felt a pang if guilt.  Peter suggested I ride up the coast a bit and check out the waterfront.  With no gear on the bike, I was forty-five pounds lighter riding around town. A lot of Asian tourist with very few westerners about.  Everyone looks at me but I am equally curious.  At 5’10”, the average American male height, I feel  much bigger.  Everyone is smaller, and the mirrors, door security eye, umbrellas and such are several inches lower.  The women are particularly small which makes me feel even taller.   This is the first time I have had to pay attention to umbrella heights at markets and other objects I have always taken for granted.
     After several miles down the coast taking in the maritime traffic on the water side and the hotels and restaurants inland, I refocused on finding a bank and small fruit vendor.  Bank location are a well guarded secret around here but at least the ATM cooperated with me. At the fruit stand, I decided it was time to try out some of the exotic fruits. The woman was helpful by giving me samples of a few of them.  So far, I haven’t come across anything I don’t like and some of the foods over here are bizarre.  Unlike most Americans, I will try anything at least once no matter how strange it may be.  Fried crickets and beetles are actually quite good but remember to pull of their spiney legs before munching on them.  Baby eels have a slippery texture and a creepy look but are tasty.  Nothing is wasted over.  Chickens feet are everywhere and that is only one of the oddities offered at the market.
     Back at the apartment I sampled three new fruits, all of which were good. I haven’t a clue what they are called.  One is from the cactus type plant I saw cultivated.  The fruit is pink with green an pink limbs/swollen leaves growing out all over.  The inside is a white mellon with tiny black seeds throughout.  Tomorrow on the road, I will be trying out a few more fruits.
     After a nap, I read, washed more clothes  and went out for dinner.  Every restaurant that  I go, family’s show up.  Infants to grandparents, everyone is there.  The older kids entertain the younger kids, some of the four and five year olds wander around but everyone is accepting of it. I saw this in Denmark and Japan as well.  There is less mobility over here and the old family values seem to be intact.
       Tomorrow, I am off to Bien Hoa where I will meet up with Binh and his family. This will be my last long ride of the trip.