[1]

VIETNAMNovember 2010

VIETNAM HO CHI MINH MUNOM MUNOM!

Bang,  bang,  bang.  Thuds  from  heads  banging  into  razor  sharp,  prickly  corners;  shrieks  and  howls  echoing  through  the  gloomy,  constricted  pathways  of  the  Cu-­‐Chi  tunnels.  The  screeching  of  bats,  the  squeaking  of  rats  and  the  tacky  spider-­‐webs  dangling  from  the  narrow  ceilings  created  a  nauseating  feeling  in  my  stomach  as  if  I  were  about  to  explode  with  fear.  These  tunnels  are  only  available  in  Ho  Chi  Minh  City  (also  known  as  Saigon),  Vietnam.  The  stunning  country  of  Vietnam  unfolds  a  variety  of  tourist  sites  that  can  make  one’s  dreams  come  true.  “You  cannot  explore  the  whole  of  Vietnam  in  only  4  days,”  said  our  tour  guide,  “It  takes  a  full  three  weeks  of  exploring  to  study  and  view  the  whole  of  Vietnam.”  As  a  result,  my  tour  guide  took  me  only  the  most  signiOicant,  extravagant,  and  most  enjoyed  

HO CHI MINH MUNOM MUNOM

The inside of the Cu-Chi tunnelsPhoto taken by: Rahul Vasandani

Outdoor view of the Cu-Chi tunnelsPhoto taken by : Rahul Vasandani

[2]

CU-CHI

tourist  sites  across  the  glorious  country  of  Vietnam.  These  tourist  sites  differ  greatly,  from  the  Cu-­‐Chi  tunnels  to  the  pure  markets  of  Ho  Chi  Minh  City.  

The  Cu-­‐Chi  tunnels  played  a  vital  role  in  shaping  Vietnam’s  history;  not  only  is  it  one  of  the  most  popular  tourist  sights  of  Vietnam  today,  it’s  signiOicance  travels  back  to  the  time  of  the  Vietnamese  –  American  war.  These  tunnels  were  used  as  a  backdoor  for  the  Vietnamese  to  attack  the  Americans,  who  inhabited  the  areas  of  modern  day  Ho  Chi  Minh,  with  the  Vietnamese  (also  known  as  the  Guerillas  at  that  time)  inhabiting  the  areas  of  modern  day  Cu-­‐Chi.  These  tunnels  are  so  damp  and  narrow,  even  a  4  –  foot  child  would  have  difOiculty  trying  to  overcome  these  tunnels.  These  tunnels  were  expertly  used  by  the  Guerillas  for  strategic  tactics  and  stealth  missions,  which  was  how  they  eventually  defeated  the  Americans.  

TUNNELS

If  you’re  looking  for  adventure  beyond  the  Cu-­‐Chi  tunnels,  here’s  a  story  for  you.  Not  only  can  you  experience  true  ecstasy  and  terror  in  the  Cu-­‐Chi  tunnels,  you  can  experience  these  emotions  in  the  simple  markets  of  Ho  Chi  Minh  City.  The  beating  of  my  heart  accelerated  rapidly  as  I  stormed  through  the  compressed  and  hazardous  markets  of  Ho  Chi  Minh  City.  The  buzzing  of  bells  and  phones,  the  clicking  of  watches  and  souvenirs,  and  the  tick-­‐tocks  of  clocks  Oilled  my  ears  with  a  whoosh  of  discomfort  and  torment.  Constricted  pathways  condensed  with  people  covering  all  parts  of  the  world  electriOied  my  heartbeat  into  a  jolt  of  lightning.  Hands  were  trying  to  grab  me  from  every  corner,  hands  belonging  to  storekeepers  and  clerks  who  approached  me  and  uttered  sternly,  “Hey  boy!  Hey  boy!  Buy  this!  It’s  very  nice!”  I  reluctantly  shook  my  head  directly  at  the  storekeeper,  not  knowing  what  I  had  just  gotten  myself  into.  I  turned  around  and  the  only  thing  that  stood  between  the  exit  and  me  was  a  lunatic,  a  storekeeper  with  a  stick  determined  to  turn  that  shake  of  the  head  into  the  emptying  of  my  wallet.  It  was  as  if  he  had  just  gotten  into  an  explosive  Oight  with  another  customer,  

Outdoor view of the Cu-Chi tunnelsPhoto taken by : Rahul Vasandani

Death traps used by theAmericans against the Vietnamese

Photo taken by: RahulVasandani

[3]

which  provided  him  all  the  determination  he  needed  to  acquire  the  complete  advantage  of  the  situation.  I  had  made  a  swift  attempt  to  avoid  him,  but  to  no  avail.  He  grabbed  my  shoulders  and  slowly  asked  me,  “Hello  boy?  Where  are  you  from?”  “Indonesia,”  I  replied  as  I  tugged  his  arms  away  from  my  shoulders,  “I’m  here  in  Vietnam  for  a  visit.”  This  lunatic  kept  trying  to  grab  my  attention  with  cheap,  nonsensical  scams  into  buying  fake  material  for  a  ridiculous  price.  To  my  fortune,  another  man  had  shoved  off  this  lunatic,  and  I  was  secure  from  a  daunting  moment  in  my  life.

 

It  was  dawn  on  the  4th  of  November  2010  and  the  extravagant  markets  of  Ho  Chi  Minh  City  were  already  bustling  with  energy.  Workers  tranquilly  carried  out  their  jobs  with  the  biggest  smiles  on  their  faces.  A  whiff  of  heavenly  greatness  dragged  me  across  the  other  side  of  the  markets,  where  I  Oirst  laid  my  eyes  on  a  divine  piece  of  coconut  candy.  My  mouth  was  craving  for  this  scrumptious,  Olavorsome  traditional  Vietnamese  delicacy,  and  as  I  picked  up  a  small  piece  of  this  wonderful  delicacy,  I  slowly  lay  it  into  my  mouth.  Its  tender,  crackling,  mellow  aftertaste  embraced  itself  inside  my  mouth  as  I  slowly  devoured  this  extraordinary  piece  of  candy.  This  piece  of  candy  symbolizes  the  bliss  and  thrills  of  a  trip  to  Vietnam!  

Type to enter textType to enter text

COCONUT CANDY

DICED COCONUT CANDY

Photo taken by : Rahul Vasandani

RAHUL VASANDANI