Meet My (pronounced ‘me’ with up tone) and Andy. We met crossing a street in Ho Chi Minh City when I pointed out a traffic light behind us to be a guide. My is Vietnamese American in her last year of studying chemical engineering at U of OK in Norman. Andy is out of college working for the oil industry.
When we met, she had just gotten scammed at the market to pay $40 for flip flops. She felt betrayed in the country of her ancestors and was struggling mightily not to take it personally. They had just arrived in HCMC, unfamiliar with the money.
We walked together for a half hour and I shared what I learned about avoiding scams, bargaining and the like. I also told them about my travel blog. My told me that I had restored her faith in humanity. That felt good. Andy and My are dating but if they marry, I want to be invited to the wedding.
