Slim Jim
Hi everyone,
Well a little to cover here. There still can't be any pictures though, the connection here is very slow.
Last I posted we had just arrived in Saigon. Well, as I mentioned in a comment, the next day we went on to see the Jade Emperor's Pagoda (where there were thousands of turtles in the ponds in front of the pagoda). However, since it was Tet, the pagoda was very crowded with people worshipping. We both felt as though we were intruding somewhat, so we stayed there only briefly.
We then took a walk down the road to the Ho Chi Minh City botanical gardens and zoo. Although this place does not have the best reputation it was actually quite interesting. They have a human history museum there with prehistoric artifacts from around the world, and historical artifacts from Vietnam. They also had a fairly large Asian porcelain collection. I was quite interested to see such a clear progression of human tool quality from the earliest stone tools, to the highest quality stone tools (just as metal was starting to be used) and then the same progression from bronze to steel tools.
The "gardens" were not all that impressive aside from a large bonsai area in the middle, but the zoo was actually quite nice. They had a very large reptile house, cat houses (with tigers, leopards, lions and more), lots of otters, many different types of birds, some bears, deer, crocodiles, etc. The cages were well kept and the animals seemed happy (except for one very large chimp who had people tossing stuff at him, to which he would violently return fire). They also had some gibbons outside of their cages on islands. Presumably, the gibbons wont cross the water so they are able to roam free. It was all better kept, but smaller than the zoo in Cambodia.
All this actually took up most of our day, so we went back to our hotel, had dinner and relaxed.
The next day we went on a day long tour to see the Cao Dai temples (third largest religion in Vietnam) and the Cu Chi tunnels. Cao Dai is a religion that was started here in Vietnam, fairly recently. It combines the Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Christian religions. There are three saints of the religion, although I only remember two; Victor Hugo and Confuscious. There are about 2 million followers of Cao Dai in Vietnam. The two larger religions are Buddhism with 80% of the population and Roman Catholicism at 8%. While we were there we got to see a ceremony, which involved music, hymns, chanting, and a bunch of other things we couldn't quite understand.
In the temple which is quite long, there are 9 large steps on which people kneel during the service. Within each step there are two dragon pillars, to understand the way it looks you will really need to wait for pictures. Each step represents one of the steps to heaven, and it takes 10 years to progress from one step to the next. So, as you can imagine there were very few people on the highest steps, and they were quite old. The five religions are represented by color, White for Cao Dai, Yellow for Buddhism, Blue for Hinduism, and Red for Taoism and Christianity. Most of the followers wear white robes, but some wear the other colors. The whole temple has all colors mixed and well represented.
The symbol of Cao Dai is an eye, which is seen throughout the temple at the windows. There is also a running motif of three of the four Buddhist holy animals; the turtle, the dragon, and the phoenix (only the unicorn was not represented).
After the temple we went to the Cu Chi tunnels, were the Cu Chi Guerilla fought for the VC during the war not far from Saigon and the largest US Military base in Vietnam. There they showed us traps, let us shoot weaponry, and let us go down into the "tourist tunnel" (because it was made twice as large so tourists could see the tunnels). The traps were absolutely horrible, though, as our guide told us they were there more for psychological effect. The traps actually caught very few soldiers, and the guerillas themselves could not remember where they were placed. So, very few were laid down. The tunnels were mostly used as shelter during bombing, and as escape routes to the river if there was an attack. But they were also highly defensible with secret doors for snipers in many locations, and traps within the tunnels as well. The only gun I shot was an AK-47 and only 10 rounds. The guns were fastened to stands so people couldn't aim it the wrong way, but it was still interesting to shoot a fully automatic gun.
The tunnels (even the one I was in 160cm by 120cm) were very small. Many people, including Kelly decided not to explore them when they saw just how small they were. Its probably a good thing too, I didn't go in concerned, but it was still not very enjoyable being down there. Though there were electric lights, we were all so big the light was completely blocked out. There were dead ends, and stairs inside the tunnels. We were already moving slowly because we were bent over, but we went even slower realizing those obstacles were there. I had a lighter (originally bought to sterilize knives) with me, and it was as comforting as it was helpful (that is very). As I said, I did not go in concerned at all, but I was quite happy to leave.
Oh and the title of this post, our very funny guide Thong (pronounced Tong) said he prefers to go by the name "Slim Jim". He was a former English teacher, and loved to practice slang. He was working on Australian slang from a book as well as cockney rhyming slang and having a ball talking to some of the Australians on the tour. He seemed very proud to break out sayings such as "I'm as busy as a one legged man at an ass kicking contest"; making him a very entertaining guide.
Not much has happened since then. Our bus ride to our current location, Hoi An, took about 23 hours; not very fun at all.
We are headed out now to explore the city.
As for the Cambodia summary, that will have to wait for now, I just don't have the time to write it.
Also, Kelly got into Carneige Mellon University and the University of Delaware.
That's all for now.
-Tim
Well a little to cover here. There still can't be any pictures though, the connection here is very slow.
Last I posted we had just arrived in Saigon. Well, as I mentioned in a comment, the next day we went on to see the Jade Emperor's Pagoda (where there were thousands of turtles in the ponds in front of the pagoda). However, since it was Tet, the pagoda was very crowded with people worshipping. We both felt as though we were intruding somewhat, so we stayed there only briefly.
We then took a walk down the road to the Ho Chi Minh City botanical gardens and zoo. Although this place does not have the best reputation it was actually quite interesting. They have a human history museum there with prehistoric artifacts from around the world, and historical artifacts from Vietnam. They also had a fairly large Asian porcelain collection. I was quite interested to see such a clear progression of human tool quality from the earliest stone tools, to the highest quality stone tools (just as metal was starting to be used) and then the same progression from bronze to steel tools.
The "gardens" were not all that impressive aside from a large bonsai area in the middle, but the zoo was actually quite nice. They had a very large reptile house, cat houses (with tigers, leopards, lions and more), lots of otters, many different types of birds, some bears, deer, crocodiles, etc. The cages were well kept and the animals seemed happy (except for one very large chimp who had people tossing stuff at him, to which he would violently return fire). They also had some gibbons outside of their cages on islands. Presumably, the gibbons wont cross the water so they are able to roam free. It was all better kept, but smaller than the zoo in Cambodia.
All this actually took up most of our day, so we went back to our hotel, had dinner and relaxed.
The next day we went on a day long tour to see the Cao Dai temples (third largest religion in Vietnam) and the Cu Chi tunnels. Cao Dai is a religion that was started here in Vietnam, fairly recently. It combines the Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Confucian, and Christian religions. There are three saints of the religion, although I only remember two; Victor Hugo and Confuscious. There are about 2 million followers of Cao Dai in Vietnam. The two larger religions are Buddhism with 80% of the population and Roman Catholicism at 8%. While we were there we got to see a ceremony, which involved music, hymns, chanting, and a bunch of other things we couldn't quite understand.
In the temple which is quite long, there are 9 large steps on which people kneel during the service. Within each step there are two dragon pillars, to understand the way it looks you will really need to wait for pictures. Each step represents one of the steps to heaven, and it takes 10 years to progress from one step to the next. So, as you can imagine there were very few people on the highest steps, and they were quite old. The five religions are represented by color, White for Cao Dai, Yellow for Buddhism, Blue for Hinduism, and Red for Taoism and Christianity. Most of the followers wear white robes, but some wear the other colors. The whole temple has all colors mixed and well represented.
The symbol of Cao Dai is an eye, which is seen throughout the temple at the windows. There is also a running motif of three of the four Buddhist holy animals; the turtle, the dragon, and the phoenix (only the unicorn was not represented).
After the temple we went to the Cu Chi tunnels, were the Cu Chi Guerilla fought for the VC during the war not far from Saigon and the largest US Military base in Vietnam. There they showed us traps, let us shoot weaponry, and let us go down into the "tourist tunnel" (because it was made twice as large so tourists could see the tunnels). The traps were absolutely horrible, though, as our guide told us they were there more for psychological effect. The traps actually caught very few soldiers, and the guerillas themselves could not remember where they were placed. So, very few were laid down. The tunnels were mostly used as shelter during bombing, and as escape routes to the river if there was an attack. But they were also highly defensible with secret doors for snipers in many locations, and traps within the tunnels as well. The only gun I shot was an AK-47 and only 10 rounds. The guns were fastened to stands so people couldn't aim it the wrong way, but it was still interesting to shoot a fully automatic gun.
The tunnels (even the one I was in 160cm by 120cm) were very small. Many people, including Kelly decided not to explore them when they saw just how small they were. Its probably a good thing too, I didn't go in concerned, but it was still not very enjoyable being down there. Though there were electric lights, we were all so big the light was completely blocked out. There were dead ends, and stairs inside the tunnels. We were already moving slowly because we were bent over, but we went even slower realizing those obstacles were there. I had a lighter (originally bought to sterilize knives) with me, and it was as comforting as it was helpful (that is very). As I said, I did not go in concerned at all, but I was quite happy to leave.
Oh and the title of this post, our very funny guide Thong (pronounced Tong) said he prefers to go by the name "Slim Jim". He was a former English teacher, and loved to practice slang. He was working on Australian slang from a book as well as cockney rhyming slang and having a ball talking to some of the Australians on the tour. He seemed very proud to break out sayings such as "I'm as busy as a one legged man at an ass kicking contest"; making him a very entertaining guide.
Not much has happened since then. Our bus ride to our current location, Hoi An, took about 23 hours; not very fun at all.
We are headed out now to explore the city.
As for the Cambodia summary, that will have to wait for now, I just don't have the time to write it.
Also, Kelly got into Carneige Mellon University and the University of Delaware.
That's all for now.
-Tim
This entry was posted
on Wednesday, February 01, 2006 at 8:55 PM.
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10:57 PMCongrats on the good school news!
Prof. B
3:45 AM
Very enjoyable and discriptive post --- thanks --- congratulations Kelly --- wonderful to have the options you now have --- Dad - H (I will sign that way from here on)
10:17 AM
Kelly,
Congratulations! I've been out of touch and just read the news. I've been involved in discussions to do a documentary on the financial services industry. I'm loving your adventures.
Jane (Tim's aunt)
10:58 AM
Congrats Kelly!!!! Although, I must be honest, I still wish you had reported Stanford and Berkley! Not the other FAR AWAY schools... Sorry I'm selfish. You have to come to California!! ;-)
P.S. Hi Tim!!!
(Andrea)
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