Old vs. New

In Vietnam, as in all the Asian countries we visited, there is a blend of old country dress, transportation, and life style, sharply contrasted with bustling city life.  In the middle of Danang we see motorcycles dart by as all as push cart vendors trying to make a living. This woman had her entire kitchen set-up on this sturdy three-wheeled cart. She was preparing to  serve lunch somewhere. On street corners we would see tables and chairs similar to those Fisher Price ones we had with our children. They just squat down on little blue and red stools and eat, solving the problems of the world I suppose.



Motorcyclists tend to wear face coverings like enlarged surgical masks. They are made out of what looks like thick quilted material and come in all types of prints and colors. Some that the younger, trendy women had on were very stylish and color coordinated with their outfits.

Helmets are a joke---anything goes as long as it covers the head. Some are real safety helmets, but most are a lightweight plastic cap. There is a law that says you have to have on a helmet if you are over 6 years of age. Those under six it is thought that their brains will be stunted if they have the helmets on, so they are exempt. Give me a break! It was very common to see a family of 4 on a motorcycle... youngest kid up front on motor, then the dad driving, another kid wedged behind him with mom hanging on the back. Wild!

Here is the best part---there are very few traffic lights just as in Thailand. Enter the street at your own risk. If you want to cross a street as a pedestrian, you walk slowly, but steadily allowing cars to anticipate your moves and weave around you. We crossed only one street and it wasn't a busy one and we actually had a local help us cross. I'm sure he thought we were pansies!