Random Happenings Around Saigon

I didn't have a ton of time in Saigon, and my time there was further limited by a "distraction" that required me to go back to Bangkok for a couple of days (more on that later).  However, I did manage to stumble into a couple of what I found to be dee-light-ful random happenings. 

The first occurred as I was walking around, nursing my hangover from the prior evening.  I casually walked into a market.  To my delight, the market held no tourists.  A fishy smell instantly placed a death grip on my nose.  The market buzzed with the sounds of bargaining and chatter.   Almost all of the participants were women. 

All sorts of goodies were available for sale including fish.  Curious about that smell, I made my way over to the source and discovered rows of live fish wriggling around in buckets and pans.  Each pan held no more than an inch or two of water, and the fish flopped around in the pans.  I wasn't sure if I was horrified or fascinated (maybe a little from column A, and a little from column B).  In one instance, I saw a fish get clubbed before being sent on its way with the happy buyer.  Huh.  I'm still not sure how I feel about the whole setup...

Randomness #2:  Prior to stopping for brekkie / lunch, I hunted for a restaurant.  I stood outside a place and read the menu.  I then heard a couple of voices calling my name -- that's strange.  I looked around, and sitting at the restaurant were the Aussies that sat next to me during the Thai boxing match.  Crazy...We chatted for a bit (they were staying in Vietnam for 2 weeks), and then I was on my way.  Ha!

So I ended up at a nice little cafe for brekkie / lunch (here's my obligatory food picture -- complete with a delicious fruity drink)...

Afterwards, I needed a couple of dongs (easy, there), so I headed to the ATM.  This is by far the most descriptive message I've ever seen on an ATM screen.  I think the translator was just f$cking with the bank when this message was created...Agree??

Finally, I first noticed this sign the day before at a random shop.  I thought the picture was a little bizarre, so, naturally, I had to take a pic.  Well, as it turns out, I saw another instance while we were on the Mekong River trek at our last stop.  Weird...

Yes -- that's a giant cartoon cat with several pictures of real cats below it.  I really don't get it, but I like it.  :)

Ok -- on to my final night in Saigon...