Frogger in Vietnam
Lonely Planet’s Southeast Asia on a Shoestring contains a sidebar titled, “Staying Alive on the Streets.”  It explains that to cross the motorbike-riddled streets of Vietnam, tourists should walk at turtle pace, allowing drivers to pass you on either side.
I didn’t like the sound of this. Â It was like playing human ‘Frogger,’ and when I played the video game, my frog always got demolished by those miniature trucks and nonthreatening cars. Â On top of that, I have a not-so-irrational fear of motorbikes, due to an unfortunate incident in Thailand. Â I decided that I just wouldn’t cross any streets for the next three weeks.
Fool.
Within minutes of arriving in Saigon (or Ho Chi Minh City, take your pick), Jared and I stood at an intersection that we had to cross. Â A steady stream of speeding motorbikes flowed past, along with city buses, barefoot children, and tiny old ladies shuffling through the melee balancing bamboo poles. Â Pots of boiling water dangled from each end of the poles.
All I had was an eight-kilo backpack and my relative youth, and I was still terrified.
“Hold my hand,” Jared said. Â “Let’s go.”
I squeezed his hand until both of our knuckles were white, tried to regulate my breathing, and stepped into the road. Â Into oncoming traffic. Â In both directions.
“Breathe,” Jared said. Â “Just walk slowly.” Â We walked leisurely across the wide highway, motorbikes veering around us. Â I stared straight ahead the whole time, wishing I had blinders on so I couldn’t see what was coming towards me. Â Before I knew it, we were back on the sidewalk.
“That was…a lot easier than I thought,” I said.
“Look out,” Jared said, pulling me aside.
A motorbike barrelled past on the sidewalk as another motorbike backed out inches in front of us. I looked down the length of the footpath, which was lined with revving motorbikes. Â It was less of a pedestrian walkway and more like an extension of the road.
Vietnam Lesson #1: Â Never let down your guard. Â
A light day of traffic on the streets of Saigon.Â
I don’t know much about power lines, but this doesn’t look safe.
  Looks like Santa relocated the workshop to warmer climes.Â
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