We have arrived...

Greetings, my friends. Well we finally made it. 24 hours of flying or being at an airport. What a challenge. From Portland to Hong Kong, we never made it to business class. We traveled economy the long haul, but fortunately, they set the two of us in an isle of four seats, so we could spread out and have room for all our stuff, really wasn't too bad. However in the last four or five hours, I went to the back and laid down on the floor, where there was just enough room to be out of the isle. I thought they might roust me, however, a stewardess showed up with a blanket, got me up and laid the blanket on the floor, making a bed for me. It was so sweet. The last two and a half hours from Hong Kong to Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City, I got to fly first class. Thank you Rusty, I have never flown first-class and it was sweet. However, Gary was wearing tennis shoes and they wouldn't let him in first class. Anyway, we made it safe and sane. Rusty, the pilot flying us to Hong Kong, I believe his name was Miles, came back and talked with us and told us if we needed anything, to let him know. He said he already tried to get us into business class, but couldn't pull it off. It was very nice of you to call ahead and have Miles and Venesa, the head percer check on us. And yoga girls, Miles was the only male in the cockpit. The other three flying the 747 were three ladies...gotta be my kind of airplane. ;>)...Your the best, Rusty.
The ride from the airport to the Grand Hotel was the biggest excitement. I did see two traffic lights on the way and a short piece of road with a double yellow line, however, nobody pays any attention to any of it. If traffic stops, they just go against the on comming traffic and find a slot to squeeze through. I swear, I thought we were going to kill some of the hundreds of motor scooters, who are worse than the cars. No way on this earth would I drive over here, I wouldn't make it two blocks. Seriously, I really believe they have no traffic laws. What a ride!!!
The hotel here is very nice, especially when you look at the surroundings. People are very kind and friendly, which doesn't surprise me. Today we are spending it here in Saigon to settle in and make are next plan. After breakfast, which was excellent, Gary is off on his own photographing the streets and people...he likes to do this by himself, which works out great, because that gives me time to do this, write to all of you and simply get some needed rest before we head out for Can Tho in the morning. There is no flight to Can Tho, so at 9:30 in the morning we will be driven to Can Tho in an air conditioned car, just Gary and I and the driver. They tell us it will take about four hours, but it should be really interesting as I have never driven the route. I used to watch convoys leave our airbase making that run to Saigon, however, it was not so comfortable under those conditions...bang, bang, boom!!!
For those of you, like my mother and my wife, who may be worried about how the travel and Parkinson's is getting along....so far, so good. I am having no problems at all, at least no more than I would at home. I will attempt to get some photos posted a little later, right now I need a break and want to get this sent off. So, to all my wonderful and beautiful friends, I love you all and am thinking of you. I probably won't get the chance to post again until we get to the hotel in Can Tho tomorrow afternoon. Just know, all is well and good..... already emotional, but that is good. If you have the time to comment, it would be welcomed here. If it is easier for you to email me, that works too. tgrock@comcast.net
Till then, love ya,

Thom