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An American Abroad: Love at first sight

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Published on Thursday, 12 July 2012 12:20

Written by Jeanne Slaughter

VIETNAM! If it is possible to fall in love with a country then i have done so. Head over heels. (yes, i realize that I might have said this before, but this time I really mean it)

As i rode through the Saigon (Ho Chi Min City) streets on the back of my friend Serge's motorbike I could not wipe the smile from my face. ("I was singing Zippity-doo-da in my mind. I had to get plastic surgery to get the God-damned smile removed from my face"! (come on kids, dig DEEP! Name the reference!)).

The locals stared in amazement as the dorky white guy on the back of the scooter with the too small helmet on the top of his melon smiled, and smiled and smiled. I only had one day in Saigon before we hopped on a bus, headed west to the jungle where we have been ever since. We took a 4 hour trek into the jungle this afternoon as every Vietnam war movie I ever saw played in my mind over and over. Absolutely incredible.

We go back to Saigon on Wednesday and I will begin the process of LOOKING for a JOB! Yep, this time I'm staying. At least for a little while....Om NamaShanti!

Ron Kleinsmith is an American-born artist, climber and world traveller in pursuit of adventure.

"In the path of your happiness may you find the meaning for which you have chosen this lifetime. " Richard Bach

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