Heroes

1. Our maid in Nha Trang was a pure soul. She smiled at us because she liked cleaning up after us, not because she wanted our money. Each day, Darryl and I suffered through our malaria (not really, just the worst stomach evacuation I'd experienced), and each day we'd ask for an extra roll or two of toilet paper. She gave them to us freely and never once laughed at us. It was like we shared this embarrassing secret and I could see the understanding in her eyes. For this reason, we gave her 50$, our biggest tip of the trip.

2. The Swedish nurses saved Darryl and our trip. They heard me playing guitar and called us over for a concert on the beach. I think they were the 1st and only people who heard me playing and actually requested more. Well, the Vietnamese would ask for more, but then they'd ask me to give them money for listening. Darryl was at home touring the bathroom but I had my British buddy Olly with me. We played songs, talked and made plans to bring out sick friend to them later that evening. Olly and I awoke Darryl and said, "you're getting out of bed today." He grumbled but them we told him there were 3 Swedish nurses waiting to meet and diagnose him. He sprang out of bed and into the shower. That's when I knew he was still alive.
The nurses had a travelling pharmacy with them as well as entertaining hospital stories. They gave Darryl antibiotics, diaria suppressants and water-purifying pills. I had to rush him home before we'd even finished dinner, but he was better the next day and they were gone to the next country before we were able to thank them. Oh well, we've made plans to write a song in their honor.