Please note that the rider (behind the brand nu heavies) might weigh 100 lbs. All hail his leg muscles and stamina.
Davidson and I spent five minutes in the famous Cu Chi Tunnels. I think I freaked almost immediately because the tunnels were about as wide as my shoulders, and we were crouching at the waist to fit. Not sure how the Vietcong managed to live in those tunnels for years without seeing any sunlight. Still shuddering at the memory of being down there. Ugh.
I was struck by the flag frenzy and communist pride all over Vietnam. Coupled with the pure capitalist hunger I felt from North to South, I was confused about which philosophical ideal was really embraced in this country. One thing I was not confused by—war guilt. The Vietnam War is called the American War here, and the Vietnamese perspective is pretty raw. They’ve overcome a lot in a short time, and who am I to begrudge a little national pride with flags? But what’s with the hammer and sickle? Nostalgia or wishful thinking?
