Hitchhiking Vietnam Book

I read this book some time ago, and I enjoyed it VERY much. (So why only 3 stars? Read on...)

It was a tale of just the kind of adventure I would love to have and still hope to have one day. The woman in question seemed to make a real connection to the people she met in Vietnam (especially her first guide, who she referred to by his name a number of times and seemed to become a real friend).

But here is the funny thing...shortly after reading it a good friend from high school who is from Vietnam came for a visit. She saw this book on the shelf, picked it up, and started reading. She burst out laughing. The guide's name in the book, the name of her friend who she forged this close connection, was just the Vietnamese word for "guide".

Somehow, that says something to me. Something a little sad. The author (and I)thought she had this meaningful connection with this guy, something that transcended their very different cultures, but she never really knew his name.