Dick McKenzie, who returned recently from a trip to Vietnam, is not only back there for good, but is living a different kind of life.
Upon arriving there recently, McKenzie sent two emails, the latest one arriving May 20, 2004.
For the time being "we will probably stay in Nha Trang although will spend some time in Da Lat also. Must go to Saigon next week. I will keep you posted."
Dick said the major inducement for all this was the fact that he met and fell in love with an exotic 30-year-old Vietnamese woman and that they plan to marry.
"We just moved into a bigger two-room suite in a charming little hotel with kitchen privileges so Nhung and I don't have to eat all our meals out and we can entertain friends. It is $270 a month.
"I would love to hear from anyone who is considering a visit here. It is a wonderful, beautiful, friendly country.
"I do have a new email address, dick_mckenzie@yahoo.com which I hope will be it for the rest of the time. I don't have my own laptop connected yet, so I have to use Internet stores and they are slow as molasses.
"Stay in touch, Dick."
Dick said that Nha Trang is the premier seaside resort city of Vietnam although Ha Long Bay, near Hanoi is also very nice.
The recently thrice-divorced traveler liked the country so much on a trip earlier this year that he decided to take up residence there permanently.
After cutting off his roots for good from Springfield, Ill., he stayed with his daughter in San Francisco before heading off to what he calls an "experiment in old age."
The former Land of Lincoln man even sold his favorite red, convertible Jaguar.
Why Vietnam? He said he liked the climate and the style of living. He also said the income per capita is $400 a year, which means he can live pretty good on his savings and retirement income.
In addition to the photos at the right from his recent trip, McKenzie promises to send more photos once he gets all settled in. Dick says he has lost 20 pounds since these photos were taken.
Good luck, Mr. McKenzie.
With Hoa (means flower), a 20-year-old illiterate woman who speaks five languages, learned while living on the streets. Dick has been paying for her schooling, but hasn't heard from her, so he doesn't know if she has kept her promise of attending classes. He said he would check when he returns.
