Last Saturday I ventured to Cu Chi solo. I am so happy I made this trip. The 75 mile underground maze known as the Cu Chi tunnels are one of the most famous battlegrounds of the Vietnam War. I went on this trip through the same tour company I used for the Mekong Delta trip. Since I had been so happy with them, I knew this tour should be good as well.
I boarded the bus around 8:30 AM. At around 10 we stopped at a handicapped handcraft center. We walked through their workroom and watched as workers with missing limbs, and abnormalities painted, glued, and constructed beautiful pieces of art. The showroom had everything from card holders, chop sticks, framed art, mirrors, you name it – they sold it and for a hefty tourist price.
We re-boarded our bus and headed towards Cu Chi. Our tour guide Tom took us to a hut in the middle of the war grounds where we received some more info on Cu Chi. You have to love technology these days, here we are in the middle of nowhere and there is a working TV in the hut to replay what Cu Chi once looked like.
After Tom explained the map to us the TV came on and the narrator starts talking “Cu Chi, the land of many gardens, peaceful all year round under shady trees…” There are Vietnamese women picking flowers, city folk coming to Cu Chi for an enjoyable picnic, the viewers couldn't help to feel relaxed. And then all of a sudden the scene quickly changes to that of war planes, grenades going off, explosions….it is now war time.
Suddenly it hit me….here I was an American being welcomed in this country on a tour of where such violence took place, where I was the enemy. It just goes to show you how pointless war is. Luckily I am warmly welcomed here today but it's so ridiculous what happened here!
Next we got to explore the actual war grounds. Tom took us to see how the “Cu Chi Guerilla” hid in underground tunnels to kill the enemy. We also saw many deadly traps that the guerilla set up. They sure were crafty. In their underground tunnels, they set up a well system and kitchens so they would not have to come above ground for days, weeks, and months at a time. They even constructed a chimmeny so that the smoke would evaporate before reaching the air. They did this so the enemy could not find them!
We then came to the shooting range where we were able to shoot an M-60. My Aussie friend Adam and I shot away. I couldn’t believe the power of the gun. I shot five bullets and each time I fired I felt the shock waves throughout my entire body! INSANE!
Then we reached an actual tunnel we could crawl through. They made the tunnel entrance more tourist friendly than the original entrance. We stepped into this little room and came to another opening that you kind of slid down…Suddenly I was in the tunnel and there was no getting out until I reached the end. You were totally trapped in this little hole that was no more than 2 ft high. I squat walked all the way to the end and was happy when I saw the light at the end of that tunnel! I couldn’t even imagine living in something like this for weeks at a time. I guess in war times you have no choice if you want to survive…
Since all the land had been destroyed during the war, they have since re-planted the forest. It’s amazing to see how much the trees have grown back. Even though the tour itself was pretty quick, I felt like I had spent the entire day there. I learned show much, things that I will never forget.
By the time I got back to the city, I was pretty wiped out. All I wanted to do was take a nice dip in the pool. Of course right when I was in my suit and heading to the pool it started torrential down pouring. Instead I sat undercover at the resuraunt that is poolside and wrote in my journal. Even though it was raining, I still felt like I was in paradise.
I boarded the bus around 8:30 AM. At around 10 we stopped at a handicapped handcraft center. We walked through their workroom and watched as workers with missing limbs, and abnormalities painted, glued, and constructed beautiful pieces of art. The showroom had everything from card holders, chop sticks, framed art, mirrors, you name it – they sold it and for a hefty tourist price.
We re-boarded our bus and headed towards Cu Chi. Our tour guide Tom took us to a hut in the middle of the war grounds where we received some more info on Cu Chi. You have to love technology these days, here we are in the middle of nowhere and there is a working TV in the hut to replay what Cu Chi once looked like.
After Tom explained the map to us the TV came on and the narrator starts talking “Cu Chi, the land of many gardens, peaceful all year round under shady trees…” There are Vietnamese women picking flowers, city folk coming to Cu Chi for an enjoyable picnic, the viewers couldn't help to feel relaxed. And then all of a sudden the scene quickly changes to that of war planes, grenades going off, explosions….it is now war time.
Suddenly it hit me….here I was an American being welcomed in this country on a tour of where such violence took place, where I was the enemy. It just goes to show you how pointless war is. Luckily I am warmly welcomed here today but it's so ridiculous what happened here!
Next we got to explore the actual war grounds. Tom took us to see how the “Cu Chi Guerilla” hid in underground tunnels to kill the enemy. We also saw many deadly traps that the guerilla set up. They sure were crafty. In their underground tunnels, they set up a well system and kitchens so they would not have to come above ground for days, weeks, and months at a time. They even constructed a chimmeny so that the smoke would evaporate before reaching the air. They did this so the enemy could not find them!
We then came to the shooting range where we were able to shoot an M-60. My Aussie friend Adam and I shot away. I couldn’t believe the power of the gun. I shot five bullets and each time I fired I felt the shock waves throughout my entire body! INSANE!
Then we reached an actual tunnel we could crawl through. They made the tunnel entrance more tourist friendly than the original entrance. We stepped into this little room and came to another opening that you kind of slid down…Suddenly I was in the tunnel and there was no getting out until I reached the end. You were totally trapped in this little hole that was no more than 2 ft high. I squat walked all the way to the end and was happy when I saw the light at the end of that tunnel! I couldn’t even imagine living in something like this for weeks at a time. I guess in war times you have no choice if you want to survive…
Since all the land had been destroyed during the war, they have since re-planted the forest. It’s amazing to see how much the trees have grown back. Even though the tour itself was pretty quick, I felt like I had spent the entire day there. I learned show much, things that I will never forget.
By the time I got back to the city, I was pretty wiped out. All I wanted to do was take a nice dip in the pool. Of course right when I was in my suit and heading to the pool it started torrential down pouring. Instead I sat undercover at the resuraunt that is poolside and wrote in my journal. Even though it was raining, I still felt like I was in paradise.
Sunday was pretty low key. The country manager had invited Pam and me to his families for a BBQ. After that we went for some nice reflexology. Again, I wanted to go swimming but it started raining again!
This week is flying by as well. Lots going on here in the factory. Tonight I am going to a water puppet show. I have no idea what to expect but will of course fill you in!
I went back to my martial arts conditioning class on Monday and will go for my third time tomorrow night. Those two days may be my new favorite days of the week :)
I heard you all back home are finally getting some summer weather! Whoo Hooo!
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