Viet Nam Sept. 2012

Here I sit at the Cú Chi Tunnels outside Saí Gón. Tourists can shoot an AK47 or an M16. How the worm turns.
They have made part of the tunnels bigger for western tourists. A short film to show how they made the tunnels, traps, and weapons from used US artillery. Now I know how Germans must feel. Hard to listen and watch as people want to have photos taken with mannequin Viet Cong. I feel so heavy in my heart. I flashback to husband Richard that was a 101st Airborne paratrooper here/twice. I cry for him and all the others touched by this madness.
The symbol for Viet Nam is the bamboo-flexible and strong. They are that. And forgiving. And they have a lot to forgive. I wanted to see what this part of the world was like. Not the war film on TV, not Richards trauma. I am pleased to see it is green now. Locals and foreigners are extending help to orphans, the victims of Agent Orange and other atrocities.
Stopped at a rubber plantation to see how the trees are bled. The bark is cut off to a depth of about 3/8 in. In a 45 degree angle with a cup made from 1/2 a coconut to catch the liquid. It smelled like glue.
Saigon has a mosaic on the side of the road that goes for almost 7 kilometers. Tells the history of VN. Another addition to the landscape are mile after mile of topiary trees, all shaped different. Very pleasing to look at.
Had lots of foot massages, know I will have more. Been on many boats from Hanoi's Han Long Bay to the Mekong Delta outside Saigon. Ate a deep fried silk worm, And some new fruits. Saw a different bottle opener and a man that can open 6 bottles at once with them. Good trick. It consists of a nut and bolt almost to the end if a piece of wood 7x1x1.5. Hook head of bolt on the cap and firmly strike the other end. Voila, it pops off with a flourish.
Three train rides. I did not know girls really scream and jump on the bed when spying mice. Yes, there were many on one trip. Yes, they do get into Orio's.
A Japanese company is introducing milk for babies. Conference at our hotel. So against nature. Lots of Russian tourists in Hoi An. Beach resorts are the draw.
Traffic is amazing, I do not use that word lightly. Walking on the sidewalk to get my, yet another new, suitcase fixed. I was surrounded with motorbikes. They go anywhere, any direction, red or green-no matter. Like a school of fish how they work around each other. Bike helmets have an upside down U space at the back for the pony tail. Kids are held on with a sling around it and driver.
Was told that one chopstick will not feed you, two together will. Shows how working together is the way. Can see it here.
The houses are one room wide, and many stories wide. All side by side, like fingers.
Some prices: $1.00 = 20,000 Dong
New glasses: $120-exam, Celine Dion frames; $20 for replacement lenses for old frames, and done in one day.
Baskin Robbins: two scoops, $4, oh, it was candy floss and praline.
Found my favorite European hair color: Keune-$7. Color and developer
French bakery: four goodies-$4
Pedi socks: $.50
Lemonade: $1.50
Taxi: $1 - 3
Purse: $4
Face mask with polka dots: $.75
Brocade small bag: $1
Shoe repair men on the street corner, sitting on tiny stools, fixing away. Got my new hand made $35 shoes fixed inside the heel, had given me a blister. $2. They have good glue and all the tools they need right there. Impressive.
Foot bath with the tiny fish was a laugh. $5.
Just had my last massage, it was a whopper. Said my back hurt between the blades. That little boy walked all over me, with his feet, knees, hands, Tiger Balm, hot towels. He really worked out, lots of grunting on both parts.
Oh, and the toilet is called, Happy House. Like it.
Good by Viet Nam.