A funny thing happened on the way to Phat Diem. Unbeknownst to me, my travel agent sent me to Saigon instead of Hanoi, only about 1,000 miles out of my way. What to do? Don't worry. I emailed Fr. Peter, who had students at the Phat Diem Diocesan House of Studies pick me up, let me get some sleep, and then showed me around Saigon until my plane arrived.
Here are some pictures of Ngoc, Ha, and Phuong (who got my ticket up to Hanoi), along with Ha's sister. We had the best time, which only proves that God writes straight with crooked line, as the old saying goes.
This is the House of Studies for the Diocese of Phat Diem which is located in Saigon. Some students are sent here because of the reputation for English learning at the universities. Here the students live while completing their bachelor degrees. They have prayer and mass together along with meals. They are over 1,000 miles away from family, so they miss home tremendously.
This is the garden next to the chapel. It is beautiful. There are many birds here, a perfect place to sit and study.
These are my two saviors, Ngoc and Phuong, my hosts while in Saigon.
After breakfast of pho (the BEST), we went for coffee. We took it iced because of the weather. So good.
On the grounds of the House of Studies is a cemetery of the sisters and priests who had to leave the North when the communists took over. They were never allowed to return and died in the South.
This is Notre Dame cathedral in Saigon. It was built in 1880. As you can see, traffic goes around the cathedral. The front of the church is a popular place for wedding pictures.
Ngoc and Ha stand with me in the church nave. The ceilings are very high and it makes for a cool place in the hot summer sun. The architecture is very French, a style that is copied in most of Vietnam. Except, of course, in Phat Diem.
Ngoc, Gary, and Ha...
The Three Amigos in front of the Saigon Post Office.
Inside the Saigon Post Office, looking at the painting of Uncle Ho, as he is affectionately called by the Vietnamese. The building was constructed by the French in the Belle Artes tradition. All iron, wood, and tile.
We visited the famous Ben Thanh market. It is huge with lots of vendors. What caught my eye was the candy made in the shape of little rocks. They reminded me of the candy rocks we used to get on vacation in the Thousand Island of New York each summer.
On the way back to the House of Studies to pick up my luggage, we went by the Audi dealership. I thought long and hard about getting one, but the shipping would have eaten through my inheritance.
The view from my window on the way from Saigon to Hanoi. There were thunder clouds over both cities, so the way up and down were a little bumpy. Even though my reservations were through Vietnam Airlines, the plane said "Cambodian Airlines" and the pilot introduced himself as Captain Pedro. Hmm...a very international flight.
Oh, and one final thing. Here is a video of going through an intersection in Saigon on a motorbike. Not for the feint of heart.
