Homeward Bound

Left Bangkok at 6 am (after a 3 am wakeup call), flew to Tokyo, then on to Portland Oregon and finally to Minneapolis, 22 hours of travel later.

Some observations ...

- Amazing economic growth in Southeast Asia, seen everywhere in large building projects. Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam are all much different than they were 40 years ago during the Vietnam war, and will be much different again in just a few short years. Building EVERYWHERE! In Vietnam, those living in poverty have dropped from 68% of the population to just 20%. A rising tide lifts all ships. A rising tide also increases world oil demand.

- Population. People everywhere. Three times as many people doing most jobs as you would see in the west (Duty Free shop at airport, hotel front desks, tourist police, etc.). Any given street has dozens if not hundreds of people on it. And a lot of young people too -- population growth will continue to explode. What does that mean for future political stability? Ability of the countries to feed their people? Avoid war? The entire history of SE Asia is one of war and conquest -- look at the walls of Angkor Wat memorializing the battles of the Kymer, Cham, and Javanese.

- Bangkok, first world city. When we first landed in Bangkok it was all so new and strange, from the greetings we received (two palms pressed together under the chin) to the smells to the people to the buildings to the tuk-tuks). When we got back from seeing Cambodia and Vietnam, Bangkok looked so first world -- modern skyscrapers, traffic lanes, traffic rules that people actually obeyed, the Skytrain, more cars than motorcycles.

- Bargaining. Everyone bargains, so get used to it and get good at it. Rule of thumb is to start at 1/2 of the offer price, but that rule doesn't always apply. You first need to understand the 'appromizate' market price. Then ask how much, maybe follow up with 'is that your best price?'. If the price still seems too high, say nothing. Stand there for a while, then perhaps slowly walk away. Most itmes the seller will drop their price. If the price drop is enough, then counter. They will say 'no', and imply that your price would put them out of business. Still be willing to walk away! Be gracious at all times, and stay lighthearted and friendly in the negotiation. If you get your target price, then buy it. If not, there's always another seller (sometimes right around the corner).

- Saigon 'Flow'. Traffic is Saigon is unbelievable, with hordes of motorcycles, the occasional car, and no sense of traffic rules. Very few stoplights, and those that exist are sometimes not respected. So how to cross the street? Learn the Saigon 'flow' by watching the locals. To cross a street, walk slowly and predictably INTO TRAFFIC. Don't go blindly, watch for ongoing cars and motorcycles, but don't stop either -- that screws up the flow. The drivers are watching you, and will anticipate where you will be when they reach you and will avoid you -- but only if you are into the flow. Gran likens 'flow' to the Visa debit ad, where all things work incredibly well until someone uses cash. In traffic, there's also a hierarchy -- bicycles give way to motorbikes and scooters, which give way to taxis and other cars. Mr. Toad's Wild Ride.