Today was the day to experience the park with the locals in the morning. Selma and I Woke up early and headed out to observe the local culture at 6:30am! We first walked into the park we watched the old men with their bird cages hanging from above while they drank coffee, socialized, and their birds sang. We continued through the park trying to find a group doing Tai Chi to join, this was a mission for both of us, but when we finally found them, they were on the other side of a fence in the quite privacy of a courtyard. Since that mission was a failure, we continued on to find another activity to join. We passed people doing a row dance, or choreographed routines with pompoms but nothing that drew us in. That was until we found the older ladies doing ZUMBA!! Immediately we joined a group, following the steps and moving our hips. Unfortunately, I lasted all of about 10 min in that heat but it was worth the trip!! I love how physical fitness is a way of life and a part of the social culture of Vietnam instead of a grudging requirement used as a means to an end of being skinny.
Afterwards we hit up a cafe for a Ca Fe Su Da (iced espresso shaken with condensed milk) and hurried back to the hotel to get ready for the Royal Haskoning visit in District 2.