We had a fitful night but were ready when Uncle Sam came the next morning. On the way to the Cu Chi tunnels we stopped at a rubber tree farm and saw how the latex is extracted and learned a little about the process and history. I bought a little Buddha carved from a tree that had quit producing ($5).
The Cu Chi tunnels were interesting and instrumental in the north winning the war. Their tactics may have been cruel but they were definitely resourceful, imaginative, determined, and smart. I went into one of the tunnels and was glad to see the light. We came back into town and had a way too big lunch at Indochine. A tour of the War Remnants Museum reiterated my belief that human beings are programmed for evil, abuse, horror, because we sure don't seem to be able to stop.
A quick stop at a lacquer art factory proved informative. I was deeply impressed with the artistic talent. My favorite technique used the duck egg shells. That really blew me away. We ended up buying two pieces. Sam walked us around the old Presidential Palace before a quick stop at Notre Dame and the old post office where we noticed some lacquer work for about a quarter the price. Turns out it was made of plastic.
It was a full day and we were exhausted and looking forward to leaving the city.
The Cu Chi tunnels were interesting and instrumental in the north winning the war. Their tactics may have been cruel but they were definitely resourceful, imaginative, determined, and smart. I went into one of the tunnels and was glad to see the light. We came back into town and had a way too big lunch at Indochine. A tour of the War Remnants Museum reiterated my belief that human beings are programmed for evil, abuse, horror, because we sure don't seem to be able to stop.
A quick stop at a lacquer art factory proved informative. I was deeply impressed with the artistic talent. My favorite technique used the duck egg shells. That really blew me away. We ended up buying two pieces. Sam walked us around the old Presidential Palace before a quick stop at Notre Dame and the old post office where we noticed some lacquer work for about a quarter the price. Turns out it was made of plastic.
It was a full day and we were exhausted and looking forward to leaving the city.