An unexpected apology
Any chance of crossing the road. Er...probably not.
A few days ago, the truck people had a karaoke night. Needless to say, we had a few beers—or more than a few beers. I sang Africa by Toto. My score was 98, so I must have done okay.
At one stage, Martin sat down beside me and said very seriously, ‘I owe you a huge apology. Plus, I’ve had to eat my words’.
Okay, I was interested and perplexed. As far as I knew, he couldn’t possibly owe me an apology for anything.
But then he explained. Due to a few karaoke beers, I can’t remember the exact words, but here’s the gist of the conversation.
Martin: Peggy, when I read on the blog that you’d been hit by a motorbike in Hanoi, I thought ‘how in the world did that happen?’. (Bless his heart, Martin was oh-so diplomatic, but I’m sure he really thought ‘how did that silly old broad get clobbered by a bike’, or some Irish version of that).
Peggy: That’s okay, Martin. I’ve wondered, too. In fact, I’m still trying to figure out how it happened.
Martin: We’d been at the beach and smaller towns. The traffic wasn’t too bad. But then we got to Saigon and I took one look at all the motorbikes and had to eat my words. So I take it all back. I’m surprised more of us haven’t been hit. So my sincerest apologies for doubting you.
Peggy: Aw shucks. Thanks Martin. Now I don’t feel quite so stupid.
Coming at me from both directions. At least Saigon bikers stop at a red light. When the lights change—actually before they changes— the charge is on.
And it’s true. The more people I talk to, the more I realise that I’m not a completely silly old broad. What a relief.
Also don’t forget to pick a number before 29 February 2012.
Where to next? 
Martin did get one thing right though you are definitely a ‘broad’ Peg xo
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Will you get a chance to go to the Danang Area and China beach? One famous street in Saigon (HCMC) was tudo.
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Thanks for the tips, Jim. We missed Danang, but got near China Beach. But living in Australia, I’m sure we’ll make it back to Vietnam soon. I really want to take the kids there and spend a month.
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Hi Peggy,
When you need to cross the road, just walk accross and put your hand out, they will avoid you and veer off. We would be standing at the kerb forever if we are to wait for the traffic to stop. I learnt the lesson and became more brave after my first trip.
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Thanks for the tip, Anh. Usually I am okay crossing the road, but she got me from behind—going the wrong way on a one-way street. The crowd got pretty angry with her.
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