Airplane bathrooms & Scooters

Finally we have arrived in Ho Chi Min City (Saigon). I left my house at 5am PST on Monday the 9th. It is currently 10:30pm Vietnam time (8:30am PST) Tuesday. Yup, you got it from door to door it took me 28 hrs to get here. Couple of random thoughts/observations:

• I drank lots of water as I was advised by many to do. I peed 24 times on the 14.5 hr flight from San Francisco to Hong Kong. Yup, I counted.
• 14.5 hrs is a long time. When I got on the plane my kids were asleep in their beds. When I got off, they were asleep again. Time, funny deal.
• It never got dark the whole time I travelled. Living in Alaska must be weird.
• Reading three books at once.
• Vietnam – A History. Wow, I thought I knew about the war but I really didn’t.
  Eat That Frog – I was reminded how much I like lists, and goals.
  Unchristian – my summary intermixed with a quote: Christians have become political, judgmental, intolerant, weak, religious, angry, and without balance. Christianity has become a Sunday drive. Where is the living God, the Holy Spirit, and amazing Jesus, the love, the compassion, the holiness”? This type of life, how I yearn for that.
• It is good to travel with someone who knows how to travel internationally. Red Carpet Clubs, free wi-fi, 1K lines, Clif Davidson the Asia Young Life regional director is a seasoned vet and a great friend.
• The influence of US culture is everywhere. Not sure I like that. But I do like that people speak English :)
• The streets and driving here is jaw dropping. I saw a family of 5 riding a scooter, no helmets, driving along side another 150 scooters. Questioning my need for 2 SUV’s.
• Being with Rob Crawford one of my best friends has been a joy. We lhave laughed a lot and both have grown beards since we first saw each other over 24hrs ago.
  
  Can’t wait to see this culture tomorrow. We will spend time preparing for the conference we will host for 75+ Vietnamese friends.
  
  More Later…
  
  Jamie