May 26 War Museum/Backpacker's District (Neil)
We certainly have been busy since arriving May 23. The heat and humidity is in stark contrast to the dry, cool Alaska air. Today in Saigon we're looking at a "raw" temp of 94F, a "RealFeel" of 107F, and dripping humidity. Soon, as we move to DaNang, Hue, and Dong Ha, I'm seeing 108F with a RealFeel of 121F. And to think that we humped a huge pack and fought under these conditions day in and day out back in '68.
Katie has offered an in-depth post regarding her impression of our May 24 visit to the War Remnants Museum and what is termed the "Backpacker's District". This is my sixth visit to the museum and third to the backpacker's area. I'll just add a bit, trying not to duplicate Katie's writing.
The ever-changing War Remnants Museum, a three-story, theme-oriented structure, is the most-visited tourist attraction in Saigon. It seemed that I was the only U.S. Vietnam war veteran there during our two-hour presence. There are areas devoted to Agent Orange (dioxin) and its effects, images of U. S. soldiers, displays of U.S. weapons, and pictorial displays of global protests to U.S. involvement in Vietnam. There is little doubt that all displays are slanted in favor of the victorious regime. However, this old grunt is able to separate the wheat from the chaff. I find it difficult to not bite my tongue when overhearing some visitor comments. Having Katie and Kira along allowed me to move alongside the misguided folks and "innocently" inject my two cent's worth as if to be allowing an explanation. Pretty sneaky, huh?
U. S weapons on display included the M-16 rifle and M-79 grenade launcher, both of which I carried in the field. When squad member Larry McFaddin was killed in June '68, I coughed up my M-16 and assumed his responsibility as a grenadier.
Aircraft, artillery, and armored vehicles were on display, as well.
Here's a map of U. S. unit locations during the war. You'll see my 196th Light Infantry Brigade way up north in Corp I.
The evening found us in the Backpacker's District, just a 15-minute walk from our hotel. It's quite the colorful area with many little restaurants, art shops (artists on site), massage offerings, and such. Hotel rooms run $3-5/night. Katie grabbed a couple paintings and Kira, quite the negotiator, one. I dropped off two photos to be painted by an artist. We'll be picking those up in a couple hours. From what I've seen, the quality is absolutely stunning. Amazing talent. Here is a photo of the artist at his shop.
Yesterday involved a trip to the Mekong River, which was most interesting. We'll get info out regarding that experience this evening or tomorrow.
We fly north to DaNang at 6 PM today. Thong, aka Damn Guide, will be waiting at the airport. What an unselfish, amazing friend he is.
Neil
Katie has offered an in-depth post regarding her impression of our May 24 visit to the War Remnants Museum and what is termed the "Backpacker's District". This is my sixth visit to the museum and third to the backpacker's area. I'll just add a bit, trying not to duplicate Katie's writing.
The ever-changing War Remnants Museum, a three-story, theme-oriented structure, is the most-visited tourist attraction in Saigon. It seemed that I was the only U.S. Vietnam war veteran there during our two-hour presence. There are areas devoted to Agent Orange (dioxin) and its effects, images of U. S. soldiers, displays of U.S. weapons, and pictorial displays of global protests to U.S. involvement in Vietnam. There is little doubt that all displays are slanted in favor of the victorious regime. However, this old grunt is able to separate the wheat from the chaff. I find it difficult to not bite my tongue when overhearing some visitor comments. Having Katie and Kira along allowed me to move alongside the misguided folks and "innocently" inject my two cent's worth as if to be allowing an explanation. Pretty sneaky, huh?
U. S weapons on display included the M-16 rifle and M-79 grenade launcher, both of which I carried in the field. When squad member Larry McFaddin was killed in June '68, I coughed up my M-16 and assumed his responsibility as a grenadier.
Aircraft, artillery, and armored vehicles were on display, as well.
Here's a map of U. S. unit locations during the war. You'll see my 196th Light Infantry Brigade way up north in Corp I.
The evening found us in the Backpacker's District, just a 15-minute walk from our hotel. It's quite the colorful area with many little restaurants, art shops (artists on site), massage offerings, and such. Hotel rooms run $3-5/night. Katie grabbed a couple paintings and Kira, quite the negotiator, one. I dropped off two photos to be painted by an artist. We'll be picking those up in a couple hours. From what I've seen, the quality is absolutely stunning. Amazing talent. Here is a photo of the artist at his shop.
Yesterday involved a trip to the Mekong River, which was most interesting. We'll get info out regarding that experience this evening or tomorrow.
We fly north to DaNang at 6 PM today. Thong, aka Damn Guide, will be waiting at the airport. What an unselfish, amazing friend he is.
Neil
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