Today, I went to see Ho Chi Minh. The mausoleum was impressive and it felt good to pay my respects. The tour that I took put me in the company of four Europeans: a huge Viking from Sweden; a businessman from Switzerland (isn’t that redundant)and a mother and daughter from the North of Italy. They didn’t like Bush or Chaney, at least that was the impression often stated from the Swede who works in Thailand. I didn’t tell him or them that I wasn’t real fond of either of them also, I just thanked the Swede for Dublin’s canals. They really didn’t bother me and they gave me plenty of room. You fellows from Menlo will understand this. Remember how I always had to carry around a wash cloth in Palo Alto because of how much I sweat. Well, over here, I need a beach towel. We also visited the ethnic museum, some temples and nearby villages and the cottage industries. Tomorrow, I’m off on a day-long excursion over land and sea to visit the Perfume Pagoda’s.
There’s nationalistic music everywhere and national offices on almost every block. That’s because they’re voting and those are polling places. You have to be eighteen to vote and they do it over three days. There seems to be rather competitive races for local district races. It’s been quite a kick to watch the people turnout. From young to old, they seem emthusiastic and proud. I’ll sign off now and hope that this goes through and then I’ll try to send some pictures.
S’lan,
Tom