This city is just so beautiful! I am in love with the architecture, the people, the culture--- and I have a new found love for the monsoon!Yesterday, I decided to go for a walk to the city-centre where I sat on the edge of the river watching boats go by, and listening to the sounds of Hoi An: motorbikes, children playing, clay whistles being blown, and tailors calling tourists into shops- HELLO! LADY, YOU BUY SOMETHING?!
After I was finished sitting by the river I decided to go to a classy little restaurant called River Lounge for a bite to eat. For $6 I enjoyed a three course meal starting with a trio of tapa sized appies (Fried spring rolls on top of a sweet mango salad, spicy pumpkin soup, and fresh spring rolls on top of spicy papaya salad...mmmmmmmm), Fresh bass with lemon grass and ginger, and a casheew nut brownie with a Vietnamese coffee. Thank goodness you can't eat like that in Canada for six bux a pop, cause I might turn into a type A diabetic!
After dinner, I walked home and got caught in a ridiculous monsoon. Rather than duck into a store to wait it out, I decided to just enjoy it. I walked down the centre of the street getting SOAKED while shop keepers yelled to me that they could sell me a poncho or umbrella- I didn't want one. When I got home, I figured since I was already soaked, I might as well throw on my runners and go for a monsoon run... so I did! It was the first time I had done any form of exercise (aside from walking) since leaving Canada, but it was GREAT! I ran, and ran and ran, for around 30-45 minutes (dunno exactly cause I didn't have a watch) and I didn't feel tired at all. I could have gone forever. On my run I saw a few Hoi An specialties such as 3 huge river rats, a grasshoper the size of my fist that jumped out in front of me and scared the living daylights out of me, and a Vietnamese Jazzersize Aerobics class.
After running past the aerobics class twice, I decided on round three I'd go in and check it out. I stood in the doorway mimicing their moves until one of the ladies noticed me, started laughing, and invited me in to join. I entered the gym and started bustin a move to Dance mix '95. We actually did the Mararena at one point... no joke! It was so awesome, the ten ladies in the class were all about ages 33-45 and decked out in full on 3/4 length black leggings with flourescent thong backed body suits (circa 1987). One of the body suits, my personal fav, was rainbow coloured with a sheer black pannel around the waist to show off those kickin curves. I wish I had had a video camera to document some of the rockin Asian Jazzercise moves, because seriously, I had to focus like a mofo to keep a straight face bustin a move with them.
After the jazzercise we got our fitness on with some dumbell dancing... I can't even describe the amount of pelvis thrusting that was involved in this. Honestly, at one point I thought I would throw my back out. Plus, you have to appreciate the entire time, the teacher is blasting out Vietnamese encouragement and counting in time to the music. MOT, HAI, BA, BON, NAM, SAU, BAY, TAM! Priceless.
After we were done the class, I ended up in a Hula Hoop competition with a 40 year old Vietnamese lady.... despite my efforts (a good 8 minutes without dropping the hoop) she won! Sooooooo much fun! Eventually, I finished chatting with them, and ran all the way back to the hotel, stomping through puddles up to my ankles the whole way there. I had to wring out my clothes in the bathtub after I got home... it was crazy how soaked I was, but it was totally worth it. Me and the monsoon are friends now.
Anyway, I've gotta get out there and enjoy some of this glorious day... I think it may be my last night in Hoi An, cause I'm thinking of heading to Da Nang, or Hue tomorrow by train.
Keep it real kids! HOLLA!
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