Ho Chi Minh City Tour

Today we did a half day tour of Ho Chi Minh City. We booked it through the hotel. Debra and Viet went along, too. It was nice because the tour just included us. Our tour guide spoke good English. His mother and siblings escaped as boat people and have been living in California this whole time. His brother and him did not escape as they were forced to join the army. His father who fought for South Viet Nam spent 10 years in a northern camp at then end of the war.

This city has 8 million people. It is the largest and busiest city in Vietnam. Our first stop was at a Chinese Temple, Pagoda. People were there burning incense and worshipping statues. All of this sadden me greatly. There is a whole city of lost people. 80% are Buddhist and 15% Catholic. Next we stopped at the Presidential Palace or the Reunification Palace. 32 years ago yesterday is when the tanks rolled in and Saigon fell. The place was huge and it was erie to realize how much history happened within those walls just a short time ago. It was hot and we climbed quite a few stairs. So, it was a bit of a challenge carrying Eastin. Matt had Kyna in the pack and she did very well all day, either happy or sleeping.

We also stopped at the Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Both are beautiful old buildings which are still used today. A person can definitely tell the French influence in Saigon. The War Remnants Museum was last on the list. This was difficult although interesting museum. There were many pictures in the 3 different buildings along with military vehicles in the courtyard. Looking at all the pictures was sobering. So much suffering and so many lives lost and forever changed. The museum obviously had a slant against Americans, which as an American walking through amongst other Vietnamese made for a mixture of emotions.

We had enough time left on our tour for an extra stop. It was a place that makes things from wood. It is hard to explain. I'll post pictures tomorrow. These are works of art that take numerous man hours. Everything is hand done. The pictures are created by carving mother of pearl into the wood or cutting tiny bits of egg shell and laying it together for a picture. Afterward there is 14 steps of laquring and drying and polishing. Some pieces take 2 months to make. Today was still the holiday, so the workers had the day off. Otherwise there are about 60 handicap employees working. Their hands are fine, but have limitations with their feet in some way. Even though these pieces require enourmous amounts of time, it really is quite inexpensive to buy. We bought Eastin and Kyna both a piece. I really like the one created with egg shells so that's what we chose.

We spent the rest of the day resting, visiting the market next door, stopping by the grocery store to buy a grape fruit the size of a soccer ball, and going for an evening swim with the babies.

I am a bit worried about Eastin. Right before we left on the tour, we noticed a few red speckles on his face. While on the tour, it speckled over his whole body. I figured it was some sort of rash. Didn't think it was heat as it started when we were still in air coniditioning. I was anxious to get some Benadryl back in our room only to discover I hadn't packed it. UGH. It was on my list. Both Susan and Joan forget some, too. The grocery store down stairs doesn't have any. I did meet a man from Arizona and his wife is Vietnamese. They have been living here the last 11 years. They told us that a lot of places outside of the hotel have pharmacies. But, Joanne told us not to walk around outside since this is a bad neighborhood. What to do? Later this evening we discovered a bite on Eastin's belly. I'm sure this is what the rash is from. He really hasn't acted fussy today. Quoc is supposed to come tomorrow. If the rash isn't gone, I'll send Quoc for some Benadryll.

The babies love the pool, especially Kyna. She kicks and splashes so instensly that her face is drenched the whole time. It is funny. Eastin wiggles around and grins.

Not sure of our plans tomorrow. We'll wait to hear from Quoc. I'd like to go back to the market down town again. The one that Joanne took us to a few days ago. We really didn't get to look at everything. It'd be interesting to see the fresh fruit, meat, flower stalls.