Today On The Travel Channel... No Reservations And Boatbuilding With Noah

Hey, anybody know what that big ball of bright light hanging in the sky is? Cancelled my ticket with Noah.

Arrived in Saigon last night and headed out for dinner as soon as possible as it was already 8:45. We decided to walk a few blocks up to the big Ben Thanh Market because It was close and Zoom had been there before and knew there were a lot of good food options. When we got to the market we walked along one of the outside rows that had a lot of food stalls and very crowded. As we stopped to look and evaluate the overwhelming amount of choices, Zoom hits me in the arm and says "Isn't that the guy from the Anthony Bourdain show you had me watch?". We were pretty sure, and he was eating alone, so we sat down a few seats away at a long table and started to order some food. I wasn't going to say anything but Zoom started right in, god bless her! A minute later we had all moved together and spent the next hour and a half talking about St. Louis, Vietnamese politics, Tony, and how the health department in the US cities actually make our food worse. Incredibly interesting and exciting dinner. What are the odds of a chance encounter like that halfway around the globe? Random luck has found you again Goldman!

Now a brief explanation, for the non foodies reading this, the gentleman is Philippe Lajaunie, owner of Brasserie Les Halles in NY, and Anthony Bourdains ex boss and current friend. He lives in NY, is French American with a heavy French accent and is passionate about all things SE Asian, especially Vietnam, among many other things. So when Bourdain wanted to come back to tape a show in Vietnam, one of his favorite places in the world, he asked Philippe to accompany him along the way. It is this single episode that had me planning a photo trip to Vietnam.

Now I know a few of you have warned me to be brief, but there is another quick amazing part to today, at least for me. We had lunch with the Lunch Lady! This woman can make soup!!! A street vendor off the beaten path, amazing vat of goodness, picturesque corner and very nice woman. Heading back there on Monday without a doubt. Now everyone needs to go to iTunes and download No Reservations, Season 6, Vietnam: There's No Place Like Home episode. In this episode, you will find out about the Lunch Lady. You can also meet Philippe and experience my banh mi in Hoi An. Tonight, at Bourdain's suggestion, we are headed to "snail street" for dinner. I have certainly done more than try and recreate that show on this trip but I'm glad I included them.

Can we talk about the rain again? Chased us back inside this afternoon. Gotta run and see if Noah still has room for me!