First off we would like today a massive Happy Birthday to Ashley Daou and Emily Bell! Both on the same day!
Today we had an early start with a long 1.5 hour bus ride. We were headed for the Cu Chi tunnels. The group was all very excited to learn about the never ending network of tunnels right under the surface created by the Vietnamese to avoid the American Army. The most interesting fact that we were taught was all of the military tactics that were employed by the Vietnamese army, such as disguised pits of spikes and how they escaped capture through the tunnels.We all ventured into the tunnels and attempted a tunnel crawl, (which during the war were done every day). Some of us managed the 120 meter crawl while others tested out the 20 meter crawl.
It was then a long and wet ride via the longboats to Tam Hep where we are staying 3 nights and building a house for a fortunate family. Here we met an additional tour Guide, Han, who will be helping us understand the local culture of the Mekong Delta and help us with the upcoming build.Ho Chi Minh city is completely different compared to tiny island on the Mekong Delta which runs through Cambodia, Thailand and obviously Vietnam. We were surprised of the size of the Mekong Delta river and although it is cared for by the local residents, it is filled with plastic bags, old shoes and other debris. The food is still very delicious in a small village without the facilities of a larger one. The main transport here is motor bikes, bicycles and they used motored boats to travel up and down the Mekong river.
We are very grateful for the families feeding and housing us. The family we are building a house for earns little amount of money to afford a safe house and healthy food. The house we are building is being passed down to each generation and the family that going to live there has two children and a 86 year old grandmother living with them as well. All the Vietnamese locals surrounding us are really kind and caring towards us despite our war history. The people of this village are very considerate and we are also, for how much they are doing for us.
Lucia W, Li Hao Z and Daniel I
