When it Rains, it Pours!

Myself and herself have decided to go to Vietnam for the weekend of the 28th. She has the Friday off and hell, I have the whole week off! It will be nice to add another country to the visited list and see how different it is from the movies. I don't expect to engage Charlie or inhale any napalm, but Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) should be interesting nonetheless!

I had booked the ticket when I realised I hadn't checked the visa situation. Sure enough, I need one, although herself doesn't. This morning I had to go across the island to the Vietnamese embassy and boy did I get drenched?! It started lashing (and I mean lashing!) as I started the short walk from the bus stop. Despite having an umbrella, I got soaked down to and including the kacks! I also got lost and was beginning to worry about holding a metallic rod in a thunder storm when I finally found the place. To make matters worse, the new Nike Air trainers that I had worn for comfort were busy de-skinning my heels!

It was there that I discovered I had destroyed an important document that was soaked inside my bag. Herself suggested I bring it, although I didn't need it. Luckily my passport had a protective cover, so damage to that was minimal. I was mad with myself for forgetting to protect them more. Then I had to fork out about €40 for a visa for a 2 day trip and to cap it all, I had to wait ages in soggy clothes on the embassy porch (technically I was in Vietnam!) for a taxi. The fact that my phone was low on juice or I didn't know any taxi numbers didn't help the anxiety level!

I have to go back to the embassy again next week to collect my passport and visa. I will check the forecast carefully beforehand!