Saigon Diaries Part 2 - People

One of the things that made my Saigon trip memorable is the people that I met there. Even before leaving Philippines, I have already slightly established some local Vietnamese contacts whom a couple of my Filipino friends have channeled to me. Being a total stranger in a strange country doesn't terrify me but it thrills me to meet new people, especially if the cause is not obligatory :) So in this part of my Saigon Diaries Series, I would like to enumerate and acknowledge the people who have welcomed me with the warmest Vietnamese hospitality :)

Me and my lovely friend Praise!

Praise is First on the list. She's the local whom I've become comfortable so easily. As I write this, I realize she's like my Filipino friend Eca. She's a good conversationalist and we always found something to talk about. She invited me to some of her community's activities so I'd always have an extra-curriculum activities. And what's even warm is that she would pick me up  and drop me down on her motorbike to make it convenient for me to join their activities. I would always look forward to see her in Saigon again or maybe when she visits Manila :) I'm so blessed to know her! She also introduced me to some of her friends and almost all of the names to follow, I got to know through Praise.

Thanks Tessa for picking me up! :)

Tessa  is a silent and gentle lady who happened to showed a lot of kindness to me. She has a very interesting personality in spite of her being silent. We call her "Silent Finisher" because she eats a lot but she's very petite!!! How is that even possible? :) I appreciate her kindness picking me up from my hotel twice. She also bothered to wake up early on Saturday morning just so I would have company to watch the Traditional Vietnamese Concert in front of the Saigon Opera house. She would explain or translate to me if what people are speaking in Vietnamese. I also got a little tour around the City just riding at the back of her motorcycle. 

Jessy is a friendly local who is like a walking google maps of Saigon :) If I need any direction or tips as to the places I wanted to go to, she would always have a good advise. The cheap hotel I moved to after checking out from New World Hotel is actually her suggestion. And she automatically gave me prices of items or services in Peso so I woudn't find it hard to compute! I don't have a selfie photo with her but her memory is marked in my heart. :)

Last but most importantly is Châu. I actually never met her but while I was still in Manila, I would chat with her and she would help me be connected with Praise. I wasn't even in Vietnam yet but I can already feel their hospitality through Châu :)

There were also Filipinos who lives with the same community who definitely made Saigon more like home to me. Lady, Anh Mike and his wife Ate Kim are Filipino citizens who took a leap of faith and left their comfort zones to embrace their calling and the culture of Vietnam. I will always be encouraged with your courage! :)

Attending  life group in Vietnam is so much memorable experience!

Saturday morning picnic with the Vietnamese (and Filipino) locals!

I owe a lot also to my friends Ate Trish and Cyrone for connecting me to these people!

Continue reading:
Saigon Diaries Part 1 Favor
Saigon Diaries Part 3 Food
Saigon Diaries Part 4 Events
Saigon Diaries Part 5 Places and Experience