Vietnam

      Four hours going up the Saigon River.  The broad delta with few fishing boats gradually narrowed and became very busy.   Freighters loaded with containers going in both directions,hpuse boats with families.  The shores with tall lifts grain cylinders  long wharfs with barges along side.  As theriver narrows the traffic increases.   Alond the dock ten Vietnamese dancers are waiting to welcome.    The first view of the town is streaming motorcycles,  endless lines going in several directions at once.  We were told to cross ingroups and go slowly in a straight line.  The downtown district #1  is still called Saigon even tho the

town is Ho Chi Min City.  The women on motorcyles wear masks and long gloves to protect tnem from the sun.  It is considered advantageous to be lighter skinned.  Families with three childrenall ride on one motor cycle.   Lunch at Maxims a fancy restarant left over from the French era but with excellent Chinese food.      New york time is 12  hours behind- much easier to keep track.