Hello all,
Well as is usually the case when I travel it was a truly jammed pack day. I
sometimes am amazed at how much I do in a day when I travel and wish I had
that same stamina back home in the states.

Well, alas my friend made in yesterday late afternoon and was glad to see
him. I had not seen him in about 4 or 5 years when he visited in Los
Angeles. We spent the evening walking around Saigon and eventually went
out for a late dinner. Got to bed relatively early.

This morning started with waking up at 5:30...after getting ready we started
our day long tour which picked us up at the hotel. This is by far the
hottest and most humid place I have visited...you move and you sweat leading
to rashes and dehydration. After a heroing drive through the city we headed
northwest toward the Cambodian border where we went to the Cau Dai
Temple...Caudaism is a mix of Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism,
Confucianism, etc. All mixed together. The temple was truly breath taking
and we were there in time for the noon service so we go to hear all the
chants and prayers...it was very interesting. I also learned the at
Caudist wanted to be there own nation and fought against both south and
north Vietnam but lost in the end..but there are 2 million caodaists here.

After the tour of the Caodai Temple we had lunch then headed to the Cu Chi
Tunnels which I was anxious about visiting because of the closed underground
tunnels. It was hear that the mosquitoes really came out...I put on my 100%
Deet and started taking my Anti Malaria medication the other day...so I think
I'll be ok. No bites yet! WE went through the jungle and saw where many of
the bombing took place and where Agent Orange had been used. They had a
movie we watched about the history of the tunnels..and was it ever
propaganda...it talked about the war, the values of communism, and the enemy
"America" The Viet Cong built elaborate tunnels underground with booby
traps and torture. It was very sobering to see. One of the tunnels is a
bit expanded for 100 meters and you can crawl through it. Every 30 meters
is an escape route for people who start to panic. In our group of 12 people
only one guy went the 100 meters. My friend went down in the tunnel and
immediately retreated. I did go down...and started to panic but was able to
make it to the 30 meter emergency exit. I was a bit bummed I couldn't make
the whole 100 meters but it is very small, dark, and deep and you have to
practically crawl on your stomach to get through. By this time I was
dripping with sweat and had to deescalate myself from a major panic attack.
We then went over to the firing range and for 100,000 Viet Dong you can
shoot an M16 or AK 47. My friend did it but I desperately wanted to do it
but to be honest I've never fired a gun and 2) I couldn’t stand the
noise...there was no ear protection and it was really rattling my nerves. I
probably should have done it but it was fun to watch Michael shoot an AK47.
At the end of the tour we had tea and ate tapioca...not the pudding...some
"nasty root" that is peeled and boiled. I didn't like it but was polite and
ate it.

After the tour we went to a factory that is run by the communist party to
give jobs to the handicap painting and lacquering.

It was rather sad to see war torn men and women, teenagers afflicted by
Down Syndrome, or missing limbs working in this hot factory and selling there
goods. I bought a few items as I felt I was in some way helping these
people..I hope but who knows.

The drive back to Saigon was insane and we got back this evening about 7
pm....so Michael is taking a nap, and I'm doing my email thing. Probably
go grab a bite to eat and call it a day. Tomorrow we leave for the Mekong
Delta...so I'm not sure what the internet situation will be down there. We
will be in the delta for 3 days and 2 nights before heading up the delta by
boat to Phnom Penh Cambodia...hopefully I'll be able to drop a note before
then.

Well, that is today’s adventures...until later..