Mike is cheesy

Can't handle that cheesiness Mike. Have had enough for the rest of my life.

As to photos, I'm sorry but I have been using this crappy old computer at my hotel. I have been looking at the internet places to find one that I can put photos on. Will try. I'm sorry to disappoint my readership. I do appreciate all the comments I have been recieving. It's really nice. Especially when I was feeling so lonely and annoyed.

There are WAY LESS independant tourists than I expected, especially females. I guess I must be a crazy nut....because almost nobody does it seems. I can kind of understand why. However it's been fun regardless. The American girl I met on the train is an archeologist and she is in Aswan for a few days. So it's been fun to have someone to hang out with. She is blonde and tall as well so I think sometimes it's double the attention but oh well.

Today we went to Abu Simbel to these temples from around 1274 -1244 BC. They were discovered in 1813 covered mostly in desert sand. The one temple had these huge 30m high and 35m wide statues of Ramses II (four of them) at the entrance. In side there were several rooms with beautiful painting and carvings in the rocks. There was a second temple that was smaller but also magnificent. It's is crazy all the freaking old stuff in this country. It's pretty overwhelming.

Then we went over to an Island and ended up having this guy show us around. He informed us he wasn't interested in bakseeh (a tip) and was quite helpful. He did give us the option donating to a school they were trying to build which we did. It might have been a scam but he was really nice and it least it was a more creative scam. He took us to his house for tea and all around the island. It's nice to have someone to have a travel companion. Because based on my last two experiences in Siwa and Cairo I"m pretty hesitant to go anywhere with a man by myself, which means I miss out on cool experiences. Oh well thats the way it goes.

My stories

As I expected a western women generates alot of attention walking down the street, this is expected along with lots of ridiculous flattery. However I hadn't thought what it would be like if ones guide falls in love with them. And well supposedly this has happened twice.

First it was Cairo with the guy who was suppose to get me a student card. He had a dream a week ago that someone from far away was going to take his heart, supposedly I was the one. At first the prices for things were reasonable (dinner cruise with belly and sooky dancing) but then he took me out to see the pyramids to this tourist place that wanted $135 US for a tour. I felt trapped because he had brought me out. He acted like he was just doing all this because he wanted a friend, however in retrospect I realized it was all scam and he was getting a comission for everything I"m sure. After the pyramids he tried to take me to another place to get a student card, which of course didn't work unless I got one of their stupid tours. When I refused he was trying to pressure me into it. I managed to dump it and enjoy Cairo after by myself. It's funny because shortly after I saw him on the street talking to another blonde lady, probably doing the same thing. So I just figured it was all part of his scam.

But in Siwa it was different and much worse. I was trying to find a guide to take me out in the desert. It was difficult to find something not to expensive because I wasn't part of a group. Then I ran into this guy who had a group already going (of the Egyptian guys....which I was leary of but they were the least of it). He lets me know at the last minute that I"m going in a separate jeep from the group. I didn't realize this was a ridiculous cost and the price he quoted me didn't begin to cover his costs for gas and the driver. We were having lots of fun but he kept hinting he liked me. I told him I had a boyfriend. He then cried and cried that he was in love with me, that his heart was hurting etc etc for what seemed like forever. Not to mention this was under the stars in the desert. I tried to be sympathetic without laughing, because he really was a nice person. But how do you fall in love with someone after 24 hours? Finally I managed to get back to the group. Then it came time to go to sleep. He starts setting up two matresses and two water bottles in the tent. I clue in to what he's trying so I said "I don't need two waters" and he said "oh ones for me"!!! I then firmly told him I was sleeping by myself. Can you imagine after all that he still thought that? Crazy their perception of Western women. I decide to cut the trip short and make him take me back to town the next day so I can get out of there. He wouldn't let me pay for the cost of the trip. I felt bad because he was so nice.

So it's a dillema. Now in Aswan I'm ignoring everyone and being so rude. Men are asking why I"m not smiling. But can you blame me? I'd rather not have anyone else fall in love with me. So I was planning to go on felucca ride on the Nile for two nights from here. But I'm feeling kinda of hesitant about that now.

Blah pictures......overrated if you ask me.

Aswan

I'm in Aswan. Will write a real post soon. I have funny stories to tell but to lazy to share. As for dying my hair don't think it would make any difference. No matter how hard I try I won't look middle eastern. So just have to put up with guys thinking they are falling in love with me. Thankfully my bunk mate on the train last night was an American girl, and boy between the two of us the stories we have. Anyways will write a proper post next.

Alexandria

Arrived in Alexandria this afternoon. Had a great time in Siwa...went on a desert trip and slept out in the desert. There was this awesome hot spring in the middle of the desert. The driver was this crazy guy and he would just rip up and down the sand dunes...it was so fun. I was kind of leary because after I had signed up for the trip I found out it was all Egyptian guys also going. However they were really cool and friendly but ignored me most of the time which was much better than the opposite attention that I have been recieving too much of. Unfortunately I have had two specific such experiences in the last week and its getting quite tiresome. I won't elaborate more at this time. Tomorrow night I take a train to Aswan which is in the south of Egypt.

Siwa Oasis

By the end of this trip, after I have been hassled to no end and joined the masses to see the sights, I might wish I had saved Siwa Oasis for the end. This place is just a tiny little town in the dessert where they ride their donkey carts through town. There are some interesting ruins of temples and the old town to explore. I rode a bicycle around to explore earlier today. I went to the Temple of Oracle is from about 600BC and Alexander the Great was there around 330BC. And also to Tombs of the Dead which have interesting paintings in some of them. Apparently most of them were destroyed. During the 2nd World War British soldiers would pay local a few cents to cut out pictures from the wall. Now I have to go to the old town, which they call a Shali.

There is just a handful of tourist who made the long journey out here. So no tour bus loads like in the rest of the country. When it is prayer time (which is 4 or 5 times a day I haven't figured it out yet) it is only on the loud speaker for 5 minutes instead of an hour like in Cairo. Which is lovely at 5am. There is no hissing by men as I walk by, which is nice. But I know I will have to brace myself for this when I go back to Alexandria on Tuesday. But for now I am enjoying the peace and quiet. Tomorrow I might go on an overnight dessert trip. Haven't decided yet.

Sorry no photos yet, the computer here doesn't have an USB outlet and I was to lazy in Cairo.

In the desert

I've just arrived in Siwa Oasis. Had a long 10 hr trip to get here. It is almost at the Libya border if anyone cares. It's a small little place so should be refreshing after Cairo. Yesterday the Egyptian Museum was amazing. The mummies are probably one of the most phenomenal things I have ever seen. Man those ancient Egyptians were brilliant. It's crazy to look at fingernails, hair and ears of someone from 3000 years ago!!!!! There were animal mummies to. It's just amazing all the handiwork from that time period. Theres sooo much of it.
Planning to spend 3 nights here.

No I was not kidnapped

I am still alive and well. However I was scammed by the whole student card thing. After reading my previous post....I can't imagine why I didn't clue in right away. Oh well. Don't feel like going into details right now....still to ashamed of how scammed I was. But that's what happens and it's no big deal. Just over paying for stuff. The pyramids were spectacular. Today heading off to the Egyptian Museum. Tomorrow I go to Siwa Oasis. I'm still having a fantastic time.

First Day in Cairo

Wow. What a place!!! First, had a fabulous sleep after I got into my hotel at 4am and didn't get going until noon. That is a first for me after an international flight. Then spent much of the afternoon getting lost, going to the train station, getting tickets etc etc. Egyptian people are incredibly helpful. And no one asked me for Baksheesh (a tip) once. Of course I walk around with the pitiful "help me look" when I am lost, so I get lots of help. Tricia knows what I am talking about. It drove her crazy on our Eastern Europe trip. And crossing the street isn't so bad. On less busy streets you just walk around cars, like in Vietnam with the bikes. And on really busy streets there are policemen that stop the traffic so you can cross. So not to bad.

Then this interesting Egyptian guy started talking to me. The next thing I knew I was having tea in his cousins living room. And then he took me to get photos. He was trying to help me get an international student card. Unfortunately the place was closed tonight but we're going there tomorrow. Supposedly you just have to be under 30...not a student!! That means all the entrance fees to stuff is half priced!!! He asked me if I wanted to see Egypt as a tourist or as an Egyptian. I said as an Egyptian. So then we went on a boat tour that mostly Egyptians go on with belly dancers and local Egyptian dancers. It was awesome. And tomorrow he's going to take me to see all the pyramid stuff so I dont' get ripped off with tour prices. He didn't want any money. I had to insist to pay my share for stuff. He just like meeting new friends. He seems cool. But don't worry everyone I'm being cautious and making sure to take care of myself. I think if he had wanted to rip me off or hurt me he would have already. Generally Egyptians seem very friendly and hospitable generous people. It's really refreshing.

Will keep you all updated.

Amsterdam

I arrived in Amsterdam at noon on schedule. Went to the city center and wandered around for a while. I didn't get lost this time. It is a really beautiful city. So unique with so much character. There are canals and 5 story buildings everywhere. Very impressive.

I went to the Anne Frank museum which was fine. I am not a museum person. And I was planning to go to the Egyptian Museum tomorrow and I'm already out of the museum mood. Although I have a feeling it will be uncomparable with Anne Frank, nothing against Anne Frank. The Anne Frank story is remarkable but I always feel like I don't get my moneys worth because I just glance around and leave. Should just stick to reading the book.

My flight here was amazing. I had two seats to myself. And each seat had a TV with multiple movies and no time frame. I managed to sleep about 4 hours which is a the best I can hope for when flying. Well will try to update this week in Cairo.

Egypt Bound

Thanks Tricia for posting my password. Anyways since I'm off on another trip guess I should update this thing. Leaving tomorrow around 4:00pm to Minneapolis, than to Amsterdam, layover around 10 hours and then to Cairo. Will be there just over 3 weeks (29 days). Planning to see as much of the country as possible. It is tourist season so all depending on availability of transportation etc. The only thing I have booked is my flights and the first 4 nights in Cairo. Will play the rest by ear.

Pam, your password is skittles.

Love,

Tricia

Nothing to say

Well I have been back in Oxford House for almost a week now. Everything is good here. Nothing very exciting. It has been beautiful spring weather here. But their is still ice on the lake. Hopefully will be fishing in a few more weeks. They are still ice fishing, but I'm too chicken.

When I was flying from Hanoi I had a 10 hour layover in Seoul. I went on a city tour. I had to share these pictures of the spandex policemen on rollerblades. I thought it was hilarious. Also a picture of me with my eyes closed. I'm with the statue of the year of the monkey, the animal for 1980. I'm wearing one of the jackets I had made in Hoian.

Go sens go!!! I'm a bandwagon fan. I ignore them when they are losing and then get excited when they are doing well. It is overtime of game 2 with Jersy and I am blogging at the same time. A real fan wouldn't do that.

Flying away

Well I am flying home tonight. With Tricias help I managed to pack up all my stuff (actually she mostly packed....I suck at packing). In typical Pam fashion, I bought way too much stuff. So I had to buy a big ass suitcase which Tricia helped me bargain for (I also suck at bargaining). Oh well. Vietnam has so much cool stuff for cheap even without bargaining.
The other thing that is amazingly cheap here is salons. I have never really been a salon person. Other than hair cuts/coloring and an occasional wax, I don't bother with them, too expensive. But I have fallen in the trap here. I have had 4 manicures, 5 pedicures, 2 masages, 1 leg hair removal, and my hair straightened all in 6 1/2 weeks. Before coming to Vietnam, I think I have had 2 manicures, 0 pedicures, and 1 massage in my whole life. Pretty funny. I'm sure it won't continue when I get back home. First of all there aren't any salons in Oxford House. Secondly, a manicure is worth $2-3 but not $30. Well looking forward to my fabulous flight. Flying to Seoul tonight, arrive around 5am, and don't leave for Vancouver until 4pm. Then I have to get to Winnipeg after that. Should be great!!!

For those of you on facebook these photos are exactly the same as the ones in my album . These pictures are from Sapa. Aren't my "galoshes" with the shorts hot?
I am sad to say I am going home tomorrow. Other than missing Mike I think I could keep going for a few months yet. But it will be nice to get back to Oxford House, I do miss that crazy place.

Sapa

Sorry it's been a few days for the blog. I have a good excuse. I got lost in the mountains. I am serious. I got here earlyThursday am by train and was kinda tired. So I took a nap. Which meant I missed all the guided tours for the day. The staff at the hotel told me I could go to this one ehtnic minority village with no need for a map or guide. They said if I followed the trail for 4 hours I would find xeom (moto) drivers at the other end. Well after 4 hours passed, I have never wanted to see a xeom driver so bad in my life. But I never found one. Somehow what I thought was a trail turned into nothing and couldn't find my way back. By 5:30 pm I was starting to get really worried because I knew it would be dark in an hour. I wanted to break down and cry but I knew that wouldn't help. I tried to locgically review my options. First being that I find a road with a moto driver (which didn't seem to be happening), or second that I would find someone (hadn't seen anyone since the village 5 hours before), or three find a cabin I had seen on the way and spend the night, or lastly sleep outside and find my way back during the day. Then I prayed that God would send me a guardian angel and he sent two. Because right after that I heard a young ethnic minority couple talking. They didn't really speak English but was able to communicate I needed to get back to Sapa. So they guided me back. I should say she practically dragged me down the mountain. My legs just didn't want to work anymore, it was raining and very muddy and slippery. She was about half my size, but strong as an ox. I have to say it was probably one of the scariest moments of my life, when I didn't know if I would ever get back. But I knew in the back of my heart, God would take care of me, he always has. When I got back that night I had a bath and went straight to bed, I was hungry but didn't even eat. So didn't have time to share my story online that night.

I had booked a two day trek and homestay for the Friday and Saturday. I didn't know if I would be up to it but I felt ok in the morning so I went. Have to say it was a much more enjoyable trek because I had a guide. I had booked it with two nice Aussie ladies. We all were in similar shape, not exceptionally fit but not terribly unfit either. Our guide was amazing 17 year old Ethinic Minority girl who spoke fabulous English. We had so much fun. And the family whose home we stayed at was lovely. Yesterday it was also quite rainy and wet but today it was sunny and clear and able to see the mountains. It is beautiful here. Plus the ethnic minority people are so charming. They are really fun, even though they are always trying to sell something. So it has been a good experience and I guess I have a good story to tell. Will post photos when I get back to Hanoi on Monday. Going to a market tomorrow.

Here are some photos from Tricia and my trip to Ninh Binh. We went to these caves in the rice paddies in a row boat. It was fun. To get there, we cycled. But we went the wrong way and ended up cycling on local paths through rice fields, it was great. We also went to see a Vietnamese cathedral, I have to say it is the coolest Catholic church I have ever seen. Also the photo of the children was in an Ethnic minority village around Hue, they were waiting for us as soon as we got off the bus. They were so pumped to get gum.

Back in Hanoi

Sorry Tricia and Mike, I didn't post in Hue because I couldn't get blogger to load there. Basically the first day I went to the Citadel which is walled in part of the city with lots of pagodas. Interesing but after a while pagodas all look the same. Then yesterday I went on a DMZ tour. DMZ stands for the Demilitiarised Zone during the American War. Contrary to the term, it wasthe area where some of the worse fighting occured. Went in the Vinh Moc Tunnels which are in total 2.8 km long. Only saw about 300m or so but they were actually fairly wide and high considering (I had to duck of course) but not like the ChuChi tunnels in Saigon where supposedly you have to be a contortionist to get through (I didn't go there). 300 people lived in these tunnels for 7 years, 14 babies were born!! It was pretty interesting. Anyways tonight Tricia and I are going to Ninh Binh to go to Tam Coc. Have to go because the ladies in Tricias office invited me for lunch. It smells good.

Pam heaven

Hoian is Pam heaven. This place is ridiculous. You just go and tell people what you want made, and they make it for cheap. Because I am not creative, and don't know what I want I end up going to like 10 different shops, and getting 10 different things made. I just look at what they have on display and base my ideas from that. Most people go to one tailor and get everything there. I'm not that organized. So basically running around to tailors all day.
Plus my hotel is the nicest I have stayed at yet. Big room with bath, and A/C, and roof top terrace with pool. Best thing is it only costs $12.
Had a wonderful time on Friday chilling with Tricia. We got along splendidly. I had the brillaint idea of going to the beach at mid day. (She wanted to go late afternoon). I thought it was too hot to wander around town and the hotel didn't have A/C that Tricia was staying at. And playing in the sea and the wind was cooler. But she got burnt to crisp, even though she was wearing SPF 30 and staying in the shade. Surprisingly though no fighting.
I have no pictures to post because have hardly taken any since last time I posted. Guess I am in a picture taking slump. Well should go to sleep so I can be rested for another day at the tailors.
Thanks for all the recent comments. Nice to know people other than Mike and my family reads my blog.

Scuba Diving

I am taking a scuba diving course here in Nha Trang!! It is so fun, but really intimidating. I just passed my written exam today. I did two dives today in the ocean, very cool. It's so awesome to swim with the fish and the plant life is amazing. It's great. I have wanted to do it forever, so glad I did. It's half the money it would cost in Canada, and this way I get to actually do my practice dives in the ocean instead of Lake Winnipeg. Anyways that has been taking up all my time. But other wise I would just be lying on the beach, did that last week. I will be taking an overnight train to Hoian Thursday night. Ok that is it for now just thought I would update quickly.

mistake

So in the following post I mistakenly put a pic of me walking instead of in front of the falls. To tired to fix it.