Freedom

Vietnamese Independence Day has arrived.  We all know what a synonym for independence is ... freedom!!  So, today, a lovely Monday off work, we were free to do the following:

1)  Sleep in till the leisurely hour of 6:00 am
2)  Head to the gym where the air conditioning had not been turned on to sweat, sweat, sweat our way through a workout (and to have the cleaning lady glare at us as we dripped sweat across her mopped floor)
3)  Go to "lunch" of fresh spring rolls, banh mi, Hu Tieu, and smoothies at 10:00 am
4)  Lounge by a pool all day with intermittent naps and reading
5)  Head to a shopping center in the midst of a typical rainy season downpour where we spritzed ourselves with cologne and laughed at the tourists
6)  Enjoy a delicious pitcher of Sangria at a roof-top happy hour
7)  Rub shoulders with the locals as we ordered a seafood hot pot (Thai style), tofu, and beers at a local beer garden for the grand total of $15 and overstuffed stomachs
8)  Catch the national holiday fireworks show from the comfort of our apartment as we lounge in pajamas and dream of one more day of holiday

Thank you, freedom, for allowing us a sunny day by the pool.

No work = plenty of "reading for pleasure" time.

Milk coffees in the afternoon would not happen if working.

Who loves holidays?  This guy!

How we did not discover $7 pitchers of Sangria earlier is baffling.

Another cool sunset to close out a national holiday in HCMC.