We ported in Phu My, Vietnam (pronounced Foo May) around 7:00am. Phu My is the gateway to Ho Chi Minh City (known as Saigon until the end of the Vietnam War). We boarded a bus for our two hour ride into Ho Chi Minh City. Jerry was quite anxious returning after 50 years. He had expected to see the “Old Vietnam” with thousands of bikes and the old Vietnamese culture.
There is still a mixture of old and new; but what we saw was a more modernized society in general. A lot of his anxiousness disappeared as we rode on the bus – it wasn’t like he remembered. He feared someone would remember him, as crazy as that sounds.
The bus dropped us off at the Rex Hotel, and we had 4 hours to explore the city on our own. Our first stop was the War Remnants Museum. (We brought Jolly along!)
The exhibits at the Museum were difficult, it made Jerry think of what part he played in the war. It was very sobering. But as in all wars, it just WASN’T GOOD. It’s confusing when you try to do what is right for your country, yet it all feels so wrong, no matter how you try to justify it. There was a complete floor on Agent Orange, and how today the chemical warfare continues to affect their children (not to mention our soldiers and their children). There was a letter to President Obama asking for help for the Agent Orange victims. The walls were painted bright orange. These were the bombs and hand grenades used.
We hailed a taxi to take us to a store that fixes IPhones as Jerry dropped my phone (the only phone we have left after I lost his in Tahiti). They weren’t able to fix it as they needed more time. But he drew a large crowd! Then to the Ben Thanh Market to buy me a new pair of shoes
Our next stop was a Circle K for an energy drink and chips. Jerry had to run a few stores down to a Western Union to get dung – their dollar - as they wouldn’t take American money at Circle K! One American Dollar equals 20,000 Vietnamese Dung. But in the 97 degree heat and high humidity, the drink was worth it! AND it’s the first BBQ Chips in over two months…HEAVEN.
On our way back to the ship, it stormed. Also, remember the Vietnamese Landing Card we had to carry at all times? Jerry accidentally ripped his. The Vietnamese Officer back at the ship looked him over REALLY good, then inspected my Landing Card very thoroughly! YIKES!
We were going to visit a small town 20 miles away, but decided to stay on the ship.The ship leaves tonight at 11:30pm, we are guessing the late departure is due to the high tide. Two sea days, then on to Singapore.
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