03/03/10

Hi, Guys,



It hasn't been so long since I last blogged you, if that is a word, but I am dizzy with where and what I have seen in the past few days.



I think I last wrote when we were approaching Saigon, AKA Ho Chi Nimh City, Viet Nam (2 words in their language). We cleared immigration and quickly headed for the plane to Phnom Penh.



This was to be the first time since January 17th that I had spent a nght off the ship. They blew it and roomed me with a roommate, which I was not happy about and so screamed and with the help of Toby, who was the group leader, ended up in a single in both hotels. I probably am the most unpopular person in the Field Office at the moment, but who cares.



So, we had a river cruise, supper and a trip to an uneventual museum and quit for the day.



Day 2 I shall never forget. It was a horrible sight to start with. We went to the museum, which had been a torture house and then to the killing fields, all reminiscent of the Khymer Rouge era from 1975 until early 1979. Where the US was in all this when they killed 2-3 milliion educated or wealthy people, similar to the atrocities in the Cultural Revolution in China, I don't know but it was hideous and I left after 5 minutes.



But then to the Royal Palace, which is glorious, and supper and to an orphanage, which some SAS people are organizing and supporting. I have a new friend, 18 years old, mother dead and father in Thailand who never comes to see her. Beautiful and you will see a picture of us. Then we flew to Seam Reap, which is close to the temples.



Next day we were up early and spent the day in the temples, Hindu then later they became Buddist. The first was the one that you all probably have seen with the trees devouring the ancient ruins. I loved seeing the remains of what was home to a million people in the 12th centure and thereabouts. Walking was tough but the remains incredibly awesome. Remind me to keep traveling while I can negotiate such terrain. We flew back to Saigon after that, about a 45 minute flight.



Next day I puttered around Saigon with Toby, did some extravagant shopping, had lunch in a delightful local restaurant and quit until dinner, which was at a French restaurant for 4 of us. This summer I shall make you a timbale of eggplant and sundried tomato, a layer of goat cheese and another of the eggplant. It couldn't be more delicious.

More to come, next day was a trip to the Mekong Delta, a 2 hour bus from Saigon. This is 3rd world at its best and real jungle. We went to a river boat which took us to who knows where, we walked through the jungle, took a cart ride driven by the smallest horse I have ever seen, walked some more, took a smaller boat and ended up for lunch on elephant ear fish, which really was pretty good.



This was all deep jungle, I won't mention the lunch company, back to the boat, homeward on a small boat, then bus back to Saigon.



Now we have left Saigon and are headed for Singapore to refuel and then on to India. My head is happily swimming, but it was great to be back in classes today.



Skype is great. I have successfully communicated with Rich and Sandy several times, caught a glimpse of Ed, but never have gotten through with Shafers and H&S. Please leave your Skypes on about supper time and I shall try to reach you again. This has all been about me, but I would like to hear about you. Must go to a lecture on HIV/Aids . More later,

Love you,

Love,