Saigon Weekend

Our first weekend after a full week of work has been a really nice one. The clouds and smog parted for most of the weekend and we were left with beatiful blue skies and temps that had to have been in or around the 90s.  We gladly sweated our butts off.

We have committed to each other that we have to come up with at least one random field trip/adventure to do in or around the city every weekend that we are here. On Saturday we visited the Reunification Palace. This was the presidential palace of the former South Vietnamese government. It has been basically left the same as it was on the day in April 1975 when the Northern Vietnamese army drove tanks through the front gates. It was a interesting look into Vietnamese history and an interesting look into home decor of the 1970s. 

Heidi at the Reunification Palace. Ho Chi Minh says "Take that democracy!!!, this palace is ours!!!"

 

Presidential receiving room in the palace. Complete with huge elephant tusk statue.

Saturday evening we were invited over to some coworkers house. They had a great view from the 23rd floor back to downtown Saigon. It was great to continue to get to know everyone. Plans have been laid down to find a micro brewery in Vietnam, the challenge is on.

Sunday was a pretty mellow day. We were pretty excited as we had probably the best bowl of pho thus far. It was just a mom and pop shop that we randomly stopped in at in our neighborhood.  The garnishes were plentiful, the broth perfect, and the noodles excellent, and it cost a grand total of 50,000 dong (about $2.25) for the two of us. That's whats up...