Nov 3

The last day in Vietnam Sara and I wanted to do some site seeing and shopping. The day turned out to be the best day in Vietnam. So darling we hopped on some motorbikes and went around the city. It was one of the most thrilling things. Different and crazier than India ( didn’t think that was even possible). There are so many bikes in the city. The pedestrian situation is a little tricky too. To cross the street you kind of just go and go at a slow and steady pace. The bikes and cars go/weave around you. So scary. I just didn’t look half the time and prayed that I made it across. After a while you get used to it. On the bike we almost hit people and/or almost got hit by cars. Hey, when in Vietnam! First stop was the War Remnant Museum. Being in Vietnam in general was weird enough but seeing the war fro the other side was just heavy. There were old tanks, planes, helicopters, bombs, shells, and parts of planes in the yard. The Museum itsel was not big but it took a while for us to get through the entire thing. I took my time looking at every picture and every caption. Being there I realized that I dint know anything about the Vietnam war besides the fact it was a bad war, a lot of people died, and we were fighting communism. People just don’t talk about it and now I know why. There were so many pictures and explinations of what happened. The pictures said so much. They were from both sides and even have a hold section dedicated to the journalist from around the world that died to bring the true side/story of the war home. I think the most disturbing thing was the amount of chemical warfare and bombs the US used against the Vietnamese. And not just towards the govt/soldiers but the villages full of women and children. Agent Orange even to this day has horrifying effects. This pesticide used on people ruined their food, water, and everyday life. Children were born with disabilities, deformities, and not born at all. There were pictures of napalm burns of victims. They also had pictures of US soldiers life’s after the war and how they were effected by Agent Orange by just being indirectly around it. There were pictures of torture tactics and victims. All I could think about was how awful we could be. Almost barbaric and without morals. No that the Vietnamese didn’t have their own brutal guerrilla attacks, secret tunnels, hidden nail bed and field bombs everywhere , I feel like we stooped to their level. I understand that you couldn’t trust anyone and you didn’t know who was good or not but I think we were more afraid than anything of a culture we didn’t understand or communicate with. I was just overwhelmed with emotions. I didn’t know what to think and still don’t. Even those that fought and protested against the war at home in the states I don’t think have ever really talked about it. I know I could tell you more about the two World Wars that were way before the Vietnam War than the Vietnam War. I know it was a difficult and dark time but I wish the older generations could talk and teach the younger generations about it more. Next Sara and I went to the war surplus market that was hidden behind all these electronic stores. They had remnants of cameras, lighters, patches, shoes, jumpsuits, etc. I poked around and got a shirt, a couple of patches, and a lighter. There were rats running around everywhere so Sara and I didn’t stay long but it was cool to look at all the old gear. Our last stop was Ben Than market that is the major market in town. It is a huge block of just vendors galor. So many stores packed together of every stupid thing imaginable. Spenda  couple hours there and then headed to some dress shops and stupidly bought two dresses. Grabbed a late lunch and then headed back to the ship to workout and shower before going out to dinner with Ali and Jocie’s parents. The girls and Lauren had  spend their time in Cambodia so it was cool to hear about their trip. We got to have a later onship time (9 pm)! So waiting in line we got some DVDs and was on the ship by 8:30 pm. Wish we could have later on ship time all the time. It would give us a whole day more in port. Onship time is usually at 6 pm and ill be on the ship by 3 or 4 pm to beat the crowd getting back. If you don’t make on ship time you get dock time which is time against you getting to shore on the next port. Not fun. Overall I have had a great time in Vietnam and definitely want to come back.