-^-for posterity-^-

the rivers of bicycles and motorcycles and bicycle-drawn-taxis flow through the streets on long xuyen on a moonless night. they flow softly and peacefully not bothering anyone only stopping momentarily to turn this way or that way and making small hand gestures because there are no turn signals but always turning smoothly and without incident. the streets are always surreal.

the traffic flows like a school of fish. no one runs into anyone but everyone is moving. no one looks at each other when they pass. they simply float by each other on a cloud of rubber tires and air. some putter by on ancient motorcycles putting more than they progress. others zoom by on new, modern motorcycles ripping through the sky trying to impress someone. i humm along on my bicycle. i make no noise and stare at all of the lights.

the lights come from small vendors along the side of the road. they sell all sorts of food and stand quietly by their well lit stand waiting for customers. some sell bread filled with meat. others sell “hamburgers” which amount to eggs and ground up mystery meat rolled up in a piece of rubbery bread that, when you put it in your mouth, you feel as if you’re sucking on an old piece of plastic. some just sell egg with duck fetus in them. i don’t stop.

i enjoy my time on my bicycle. i enjoy floating through the traffic observing all. everything seems to move without authority or rule but all moves so freely and without incident. all the people give a little and take a little. that is how society should be shaped.