Reminders of War
Today we visited a site about 70km northwest of HCMC, called Cu Chi - where there exists a network of underground tunnels that the VietCong used in wars against both the French and the Americans. Pretty eerie stuff - especially since you can walk through some of the very tunnels used by the VC. "Really small space" was our first impression. Then the guide told us that additional space had been carved out to accommodate Western tourists. Made us feel real good at that point.
We were able to view an original tunnel section which had not been expanded - and it was even tinier. Michelle entered that section, but quickly exited it as she barely fit. I did not even try. The propaganda film prior to the tour was as we expected...I think I heard the term "devil" applied to America a couple times.
After returning to the city, we toured the Presidential / Independence / Re-unification Palace. It's been referred to as all 3 during various points of its life, so call it what you want. This is where the President of the South Vietnam Republic lived and held office, the equivalent of the White House for us. It's pretty impressive - kind of beautiful in that 1960s sort of way that the United Nations Building in NYC looks. There was also a propaganda film at the end of this tour - oh well, what did we really expect, anyway? We have it in our country, too - it's just called "spin" so we can sanitize it.
You know, as we've viewed the different exhibits about the war here, it's easy to draw some similarities to current issues the US faces in Iraq. Same storyline - those who plan the war rarely fought in one - and the people we're fighting against work in small groups, believe passionately against the US, and are willing to sacrifice their lives for their beliefs. This trip certainly brings some of that recognition to the surface for us.
We were able to view an original tunnel section which had not been expanded - and it was even tinier. Michelle entered that section, but quickly exited it as she barely fit. I did not even try. The propaganda film prior to the tour was as we expected...I think I heard the term "devil" applied to America a couple times.
After returning to the city, we toured the Presidential / Independence / Re-unification Palace. It's been referred to as all 3 during various points of its life, so call it what you want. This is where the President of the South Vietnam Republic lived and held office, the equivalent of the White House for us. It's pretty impressive - kind of beautiful in that 1960s sort of way that the United Nations Building in NYC looks. There was also a propaganda film at the end of this tour - oh well, what did we really expect, anyway? We have it in our country, too - it's just called "spin" so we can sanitize it.
You know, as we've viewed the different exhibits about the war here, it's easy to draw some similarities to current issues the US faces in Iraq. Same storyline - those who plan the war rarely fought in one - and the people we're fighting against work in small groups, believe passionately against the US, and are willing to sacrifice their lives for their beliefs. This trip certainly brings some of that recognition to the surface for us.
posted by ToddV at
10:05 PM
