I Score in Saigon!

OK mom, please do not read this post. It is WAY racey.

So I scored in Saigon, multiple times!

Goals. Soccer goals!

Oh I can hear the chorus of groans. I'm sorry, I had to.

So sports in Vietnam. Like the Thai's they share this stunning peninsula with, the Vietnamese seem into their sports. And every evening I've been joining in the fun.

100 feet away from my sweet little hotel is a park, and in that park every early evening local guys play soccer. 5 days ago I sat and watched, and was quickly invited in to play.

It's been super fun. Like every country except the US, soccer is a big passion here, and most guys can play well.

It's been a great way to get some exercise. And to connect with Vietnamese people.

Soccer is so the glue that holds humanity together. One day if I'm ever kidnapped in Afghanistan or the Sudan or something (mom, stop reading!), I think the difference between a long imprisonment (with eventual release) and a quick summary execution will be my ability to play soccer with the guards. You know, they'll sort of kick over a tray of gruel, and despite my weakened state, I'll kind of flip the tray up in the air with my foot and catch the bowl and kind of make a little head fake move, like, "Let's play, guard! Yeah, I'm American, and yeah, I play soccer. I'm just like you!" And then the guard will be caught off guard, so to speak, and smile, and then realize, "Shit, I can't give up this guard front with the American." And then he'll clutch his AK-47 and frown again. But the gig will be up by then.

Failing that, it could also be help from my friend Todd, who works in intelligence, who saves me. (No one tell!).

I will close by summarizing some differences between how Americans play sports and how the Vietnamese do. So, thanks for reading, ladies. Guys, here it is:

Now except for 'Hello', 'Boom Boom' and 'Thank you,' I don't speak Vietnamese. But as far as I can tell, there is no trash talking whatsoever on the field. None. And there is never anger. If someone makes a clumsy move, often he will giggle like a school girl, as will his friends. For 3 seconds. And then they move on. Also they are super welcoming on the field, like anyone can join in. And there's such a natural flow to it all - to games starting and ending and new teams joining in.

It's fucking great. We have a few things to learn. OK I have a few things to learn.

Oh and when the game is over, it happens so abruptly. They disappear, like Charlie in the jungle. I'm left standing there with my M-16, fucking stunned that - wait, sorry that was a flashback.

In any case, it's been super fun to play and score goals and make assists and smile and give high fives. It's also inspiring me to join a league when I get back to the US.

Alright peeps, soon to bed,
much love to you,
Roni

ps - Talk about scoring, last night yet another prostitute offered me her services. I look at her and say, "How old are you?" She's like, "20". I'm like, "Yeah, sure. You're 16 sweetie." She sort of rolls her eyes. Otherwise I would have been all over that shit.

Mom!