Vietnam-Daily Dalat and the Crazy House

]Here in Dalat, the climate and topography is different then other parts of Vietnam, such as Hoi An, where I was the day before. Hoi An is mainly flat with tropical foliage, and tropical temperatures, as is much of Vietnam. Dalat looks more like Colorado, with big pine trees and hills. The weather is also different. It was colder-in the 60's, which wouldn't be so bad if it wasn't rainy. So it is cold and rainy here.

I used Goggle Maps to find the hostel. I don't really like using Goggle Maps-I prefer a paper map because that allows me to look at signs, and look at the streets and people as opposed to just my phone. But like other times-Google Maps worked perfectly and saved me, Along the way, I met one of the girls I had drinks with in Hoi An, so we talked a little bit.

After checking into the hostel, I couldn't sleep-so I took a walk through the rainy blocks to the Crazy House. The house was designed by the daughter of a Vietnamese President, who also happens to be an architect, and was designed to showcase the interaction with nature. There are strange scultured rooms that look like the inside of giant trees, and great very thin catwalks and staircases that go between the rooms. It was strange. It took about an hour to view the entire property, which was quite crowded. I also learned that this property is a hotel, and people can stay here If they want.

After the Crazy House, I followed a map down a hill to the center of town, and it started to rain heavier. I found a place for lunch, which served good noodles and eel soup, and stayed in there for a long time while I waited for the rain to clear. I then continued walking down the hill towards town, and found the market with lots of shops.. I was still hungry, so I had a donut. I then had to use the bathroom, but I found a fast food restaurant called Lotteria, and bought a 25 cents ice cream so I could use the bathroom.

I walked along a little more, and I Found a $2.50 buffet-the primary serving's were all sorts of dried fruits, bread with jelly, candies, tea, and ice cream. I stopped there and ate as well, once again to stay out of the rain. I was full after a while.

After the Crazy House, I followed a map down a hill to the center of town, and it started to rain heavier. I found a place for lunch, which served good noodles and eel soup, and stayed in there for a long time while I waited for the rain to clear. I then continued walking down the hill towards town, and found the market with lots of shops.. I was still hungry, so I had a donut. I then had to use the bathroom, but I found a fast food restaurant called Lotteria, and bought a 25 cents ice cream so I could use the bathroom.

I walked along a little more, and I Found a $2.50 buffet-the primary serving's were all sorts of dried fruits, bread with jelly, candies, tea, and ice cream. I stopped there and ate as well, once again to stay out of the rain. I was full after a while.

After the Crazy House, I followed a map down a hill to the center of town, and it started to rain heavier. I found a place for lunch, which served good noodles and eel soup, and stayed in there for a long time while I waited for the rain to clear. I then continued walking down the hill towards town, and found the market with lots of shops.. I was still hungry, so I had a donut. I then had to use the bathroom, but I found a fast food restaurant called Lotteria, and bought a 25 cents ice cream so I could use the bathroom.

I walked along a little more, and I Found a $2.50 buffet-the primary serving's were all sorts of dried fruits, bread with jelly, candies, tea, and ice cream. I stopped there and ate as well, once again to stay out of the rain. I was full after a while.

After a while, the lack of sleep the night before (From taking the sleeper bus) started to catch up with me, and I made the long walk back to the hostel.

I took a nap, and woke up to a family style dinner-where we had good food. I had trouble carrying on a conversation-since I don't think they wanted to talk to someone their father's age, and I didn't know anything about the World Cup, which is what everyone took about. I did learn all those Thai kids in the cave we're rescued, which is good.

After dinner, I took a long walk to the night market, which is by the big market I was at earlier. It was busy-and the rain stopped. There we're lots of the usual stuff for sale in Vietnam-fake North Face clothes, and others. I was tempted, but I didn't have much room in the suitcase.

I walked back to the hostel, and returned to be around 11:00 pm. I was first in the room to bed.