In an attempt to prepare ourselve culturally for our brief stay in Vietnam, we decided to watch the ever popular film “Good Morning Vietnam”. I went to one of the local reputable movie stores and procured ourselves a copy. We all got together to watch the movie and . . . it didn’t work.
So while being a bit unprepared for our visit, we ventured none the less into previously mentioned country. Our first evening brought us to a diner called the Black Cat having a motto that said, “Try the Big Cheese, We Dare you.” Naturally, we dared.
It was the biggest burger I’ve ever seen. And one of the tastiest too.
Not to be discouraged from our previous movie watching fiasco, we once again attempted to watch that classic movie, “Good Morning Vietnam”. I once again visited the local Vietnamese reputable movie store and purchased yet again a copy of afore mentioned movie. Once again, failure.
Our tour guide (Annie) had several exciting options planned out for us. The first of which was a trip on the Mekong river.
We got on these boats and traveled up the river visiting floating markets, tasting and buying and tasting again the most delicious coconut candy in the world (no added sugar), and taking a family bike ride on the local island.
Our tour guide was a veteran in the war who was a communications officer with the U.S. Army. He thanked us for the help we gave, and gave us special little nods and looks the whole time. He also told me that I looked just like Ho Chi Minh, and should stay because I could make alot of money.
I’m the one with the hat on.
Another Exciting site we visited was an area of tunnels (you know, tunnels?) that the Vietnamese used to hide from U.S. forces during the war. We all took a walk through. We all got claustraphobic. We all decided that we didn’t really ever need to do that again.
We also visited a water puppet show. We were told (by the water puppet show brochure) that if you didn’t see the water puppet show in Vietnam, then you didn’t see Vietnam. Well we wanted to see Vietnam, so we went.
It was a very enjoyable time reminding me of my past puppet days.
Just before we left, a few of us took a ride on the cyclos.
I somehow managed to get the oldest and most feeble driver of them all, but he pumped away and certainly held his own. We had a great conversation:
“What do you call poison of snake?”
“Snake poison?”
“Yes, what do you call it?”
“Venom?”
“Yes, that’s it! I knew that was it!”
He told me he was an interragator during the war, but had been driving his cyclo for 30 years. Life goes on.
All in all it was a wonderful little trip. If you’re ever in the area, I would suggest that you go.
