Miscellaneous observations on the way to the airport

Saw my first train in Vietnam this morning!! Well, sort of. On the way to the airport, I was surprised to see gates lower across the street and lights begin to flash. I thought, this should be interesting. The crossing was policed by a guard as well, who seem to manually lower and raise the gates. I waited and the anticipation was killing me Just when I was beginning to conclude that the country had no trains. And then, there it was, a single diesel engine crossing the track all on its on, like the little engine that could. And then it was gone, just like that. Although I felt disappointed that there was not more to the train than that, I still thought it was a parting gift from the gods, as if to say, “Thanks for your work, and here is something for your scrapbook.”

On the way to the airport, I also saw a statue atop a structure along the street. I hesitate to call it a house, because it occurred to me while leaving Cantho that I am not sure what “typical” houses look like in Vietnam. People seemed to be leaving in all sorts of structures, from the guy living on his small boat with a canopy drawn across the two sides to some elegant looking mansions. Most that I saw, however, seemed closer the boat end of the lodging continuum. At any rate, getting back to the statue, I only saw it from behind but I am quite sure it was a statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, dressed in the classic blue robe with her arms stretched out in the welcoming, embracing gesture you so often see her with. In a communist country, this surprised me. But then, according to some of our hosts, they are more relaxed about the practice of religion than there were several years ago. All part of the opening of the country, I guess.