The adventure continues.. part two..

Getting off the plane in Saigon was a relief to say the least. Entering customs I must admit it was surreal not entering the line for visas on arrival, bypassing all the other westerners in the queue and heading straight for the residents line. Flashing my residentacy card at the airport officer gave me a bigger buzz that I would care to admit. ZigZagging my way through the airport traffic like only a true vietnamese resident would know how, I was well and truley on my way home. I couldnt wait to get back to my Appartment, my room, my bed. Yet there is no rest for the wicked! I had time for a 20 minute nap before it was up and getting ready for a rave that I had agreed to (stupidly) before the events in Japan unfolded. The next three days absolutely flew past while I was waiting for my pals to join me again in Ho Chi Minh City! I was so excited to show them the place I know call home (much to Sades disgust). I wanted them to see everything, even the little things. The things that in the grand scheme of things seem small but are a huge part of my life here. From where I get my morning coffee, to my favourite street food eats to my favourite bars. I wanted them to see it all, experience and all and just have a glimpse of my life here. The thing that mattered to me the most is that they met my pals here. Side note: In the first part of this yarn I talked about my high school friends and how lucky I was that I had them. Which is true, but what else I failed to mention is how I've also been extremely fortunate I've been to make some incredible friends in my adult life. From my previous relationship I still retained three of the best mates a girl could ever need. The girls that have stuck with me, two years after the fact. Then moving here, I was fortunate enough to forge some of the strongest bonds I have ever experienced in such a small time. 6 months, I have lived here and I couldnt picture my life without these crazy foreigners now. Even though they spend every minute making fun of me for how I say "Hen" or "Hat" or specifically "A hen in a hat" I wouldnt trade them for anything. Right let's get back to Thursday. Thursday was the night, my two worlds were colliding, the gang was coming together. I had planned a pub crawl made up of all my favourite spots to show my friends from home just how we do a night out in HCMC. 1st stop- the pub 200M away from our apartment. The pub that was opened 2 weeks after we moved in. To say they saw an opportunity and ran with it is an understatement. We have well and truley paid off their mortgage since they have opened. After that we headed to the first of many stops, The Lab, shots and more. The six of us rolled in like we owned the joint, all that was left was my homies to roll in. One by one the team all came together, introductions were chucked around like swear words on a building site. After a few shots, it was time to move on to the next spot, conveniently located right around the corner.. Lost in Hong Kong A quante little bar situated down and alley way. Its aesthetic is 1980's back alley Hong Kong, and it's pretty darn cute. It's always busy but always a good vibe. That's were the final two members of the tribe met us before we turned it up a notch. Hair of the dog A classic vietnamese club, with techno all night and $1.80 vodka red bulls. Seeing the looks on everyone's faces, both my groups of pals getting along and having a great time had me grinning more than a Cheshire cat! Last but not least, the night always ends at 185. No matter what time you start, or finish, 185 is the go to. The staff know me by name and love me, we play o.ur music and I even have a tab. We rolled back home around 5.30am with some of us more worse off than the rest (heres looking at you Hope mate). Theres one thing you have to remember, the vietnamese bet the Americans, the supposed best army in the world. Of vietnam was gunna beat three humble kiwis with high Hopes and deep pockets. After a solid day of recovery and a dining in the dark experience like no other the next few days flew past and soon it was time to say goodbye again, the part that I was dreading the most. Six months ago I remember standing in the middle of Auckalnd, dusty as, tears in my eyes, saying goodbye to my mates. This time was no different (except being 10 degrees hotter). I couldnt stop the tears, that was obvious but I know I didnt let on exactly how much I was going to miss them. It's been 6 months since I had seen them and will probably be another six months at least. But distance makes the heart grow fonder and all that, I'm just so grateful they made it out! But the fun doesn't stop! In a little under a week I have another friend making the trip over to see south east asia with the best kiwi tour guide dong could buy! Until next time!