-^-for posterity-^-

back in the big city.

after a terribly bumpy bus ride, we arrived. we are staying in our favorite hotel: the splendor. the only part of the name it deserves is 'hotel".

what do i notice upon my return? i notice white faces. in long xuyen there isn't a white face for miles. jack and i saw a white lady walking around once and we stopped out bikes and talked to her. actually we turned out bikes around and followed her until we got her attention.

here there are swarms of tourists and expats roaming the streets. they are dressed in shorts, tanktops and beach shoes. they are all fat and their skin is the color of vanilla yogurt. i stare.

i saw my old friends last night from the yokohama tire dealership. huy with his crooked teeth, quyen with her faint smile and loan with her quiet voice. they were very excited to see me again and huy almost cried. we sat on lawn chairs and drank coffee. it was wonderful. the sky was dark and the air was thick. the music, as always, was a bit too loud.