Unfortunately the inevitable happened over charged like a sap. I won't get into details as they are not important but what is important was a valuable lesson was learned and I know karma is against me at this time. I am a firm believer in karma and I know deep down I need to work on mine to a degree I just don't know yet but it needs to be big. I think this city never sleeps all day everyday streets are busy and you see thousands of scooters every day. Streets are chaotic and I do not know how people can drive like that! I was shown around the city on a bike and taken to a museum for "The American War" it was interesting to see the war from a different view point but will keep my comments to myself at this time.
After the museum I went to a temple to see Buddha, a massive market in Chinatown where it then proceeded to pour rain for the second time that day for lunch I had a massive bowl of soup and a coconut which cost me oh about $2.50 my kind of meal! From there i went for beers with my guide - here is where things started to go more and more down south. I did not order anything but beer but low and behold peanuts are there and some kind of fruit - guess what was on my bill not to mention cold towels guess what else was on my bill but all in all it cost me about $20 US for several beers etc which honestly was too much but it was the towels and stuff that added up - note to self be more aggressive and question everything.
After I was dropped at my starting point the amount was told to me - for now on no more tours unless they are pub crawls, never again a private guide, demand the amount to be told up front, always carry a calculator and damnit don't be afraid of walking away and giving the don't pi$$ me off look or its your a$$. I was feeling horrible and guilty about this unfortunately it happens especially to travelers like me who haven't earned their stripes.
After feeling miserable I decided to go for a massage - yup good idea! Hey when you can get them cheap why not right. After a massage I was starving and guess what it is raining again. Eventually I said screw this I am going to walk in the rain and after another very cheap beer (less than .50$ US) I went and found a little place where the smallest little kids tables and chairs were on the street (the kind the kids sat at during Christmas dinner) I had a meal with a beer that cost less than 5$ US and among the shouting, the constant barrage of people trying to sell stuff, scooters everywhere, and absolute chaos I sat and enjoyed my meals like nothing was around me and like I was home alone on my own couch and then I knew I was at peace.
Tuna Tom
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