Thanks Ian. I'll take over when I return from my Vietnam tour on 12/28.
Am now in Ho Chi Minh city, still called Saigon by many, having visited a good number of the country's attractions going south from Hanoi. This is an exciting country on the move, with a young and energetic population. There are, of course, the usual problems found in all developing countries such as corruption. But their economic system, called "capitalized communism" by my tour guide, seems to be working and has already created much wealth.
Touring Vietnam, almost daily and especially on my visit to the War Remnants Museum, I get emotional thinking about the senselessness of the Vietnam War, which they call the American War. Over 3 million Vietnamese and more than 50,000 US soldiers dead and uncounted more wounded and still suffering from Agent Orange's effects. For what?
Although Buddhism is the dominant religion, Christmas is everywhere here, with lots of Santa hats, Christmas music and decorations.
Happy holidays to the SI biotechies!
Bulba
P.S. Hope this link to my photos from the first part of my tour works. No captions, but most photos should be self-explanatory.
picasaweb.google.com |
