Good Morning Vietnam Part II

Well its with a heavy heart I say farewell to Hue - the town where Uncle Ho grew up and went to secondary school! Its been an interesting couple of days, I've had my first experience on a motorbike - my butt is still smarting and had my fortune read by a war widow. Supposedly I'll be married next year and have three children 2 boys and a girl - hmmmmm not sure whether to believe her as afterwards I found out she had told all the women on our tour group the same thing even one who is in her late fifties

We also had an amazing lunch at a nunnery in the country side- completely vegetarian with imitation pork sausage and french fries - yes, even I had to take a double take to make sure it really was french fries - I think they were McCain's

........................we finished our lunch with a quick snooze, the nuns brought out mats and pillows for us to lie on, the laminate was quite hard but it was better than hanging out in the courtyard in the full blare of the sun!

One thing that strikes both Jez and I is the complete destruction suffered by this country not just during the american/vietnam war but also by the french yet the people are so gracious and have no ill will towards these countries. You can still see the effects of bombs dropped by the americans and met people with disabilities incurred during the war - for us its something in the distant pass but for these people there are daily reminders - yet they choose to focus on how to work towards improving their country and the lives of their countrywomen/men. Definately inspirational for me on the importance of moving forward and forgiving past grievances.
Tomorrow, we leave at the crack of dawn for Hoi An - yet,another city that has been recognised by UNESCO - it seems that everywhere we go in Vietnam UNESCO has recognised something and made it a "world cultural" item. Hoi An is an old port city that is well known for its tailors, however, I think Jez and I will resist getting anything made............................

TO BE CONTINUED