Byatangajwe: 05.09.2019
Day 8 starts super relaxed. First the mundane, did laundry and gave 1 hour of lessons. Unfortunately, the student's English was not great, so I switched to demonstration lessons. Since the lesson took place in the kitchen, we practiced vocabulary about fruit, vegetables, and cooking (how to make scrambled eggs, as Trini had just made breakfast). Somehow, Trini (from Chile) and I were not really motivated to do anything. She had offered to cook, so we went to the market around the corner and got everything (everything is fresh there, even the frogs). Gab Noodles with vegetable-coconut sauce (because even at the end of the world, you are not safe from vegans). Luc and Tina also ate with us. Trini has been traveling the world for 4.5 years, very impressive. Every now and then she works (via Worldpackers, something to remember).
Now it was already half past 2 and it started raining. So first a nap. But it rained all day, so I didn't do anything else. In the evening, Tina cooked again and later Alex made Sangria. A wonderfully unproductive day.
Day 9, for now the last day in Saigon. Trini recommended Mui Ne as a beach resort with a good hostel for 25000 Dong per night. So booked and found a bus online. As you can see, we had lunch together again. After that, Alex taught us an English card game. But then it was time for everyone to say goodbye, each in a different direction. A little sad.
Alex will travel around for a total of six months. They have, at least temporarily, escaped the rat race, great people. My contract expires next year, we'll see.
By bus and Grab to the bus terminal (huge). Arrived at 3 pm, scheduled departure at 4 pm. Then it said, it's starting in 3 minutes. Unusual, no shoes allowed on the bus (and apparently in apartments in general). It was a sleeper bus, 5 hours, very cramped and no toilet. After 2.5 hours, finally a break for my poor bladder.
The bus drove very comfortably, wobbling through beautiful landscapes (unfortunately, the window was too dirty for photos) and you couldn't resist a nap. Then I started reading a book Trini recommended to me, Fahrenheit 451. I had quickly downloaded it onto my Kindle.
Arrived at the destination and took Grab to the hostel. Explored the place a bit and listened to the sea while enjoying 1-2 beers on the beach. A tourist place and not much going on (off-season). Noticeable, everything is also labeled in Russian, seems to be a place for them.
Oh, by the way, I got a free upgrade (to a 50000 Dong room) because my booked hostel is currently being renovated. The hostel is a party hostel, a bit disappointing.