Took a tour of the Cu Chi Tunnels today with Demetri and his wife, Mary Beth. These tunnels are an hour outside of Ho Chi Minh and were a guerrilla stronghold during the American War. After the Americans started bombing the crap out of the area and using exfoliants like Agent Orange, the Vietcong went underground. Their tunnels are still accessible and after watching a hilarious black and white propaganda film from 1967 and visiting a number of vivid exhibits depicting the horribly painful traps they set for the American GIs, we crawled through about 100m of the incredibly tight tunnels. The Vietcong are not only smaller than Westerners, but as a result of the deforestation caused by the Americans, they were severly undernourished. The tunnels, therefore, were made for little tiny people. Crawling through was a trip.
Throughout the visit to the historical site, the sound of machine guns could be heard in the background. As we neared the end of the tour, we were asked if we wanted to shoot the guns. Well, Demetri and I were still feeling very manly after our scorpion eating escapade the evening before, so, hell ya, we shot the guns. For about $1 US per bullet, we shot a Kalashnikov AK-47. We each used 5 bullets. Mutherfucker, what a rush. First of all, I had no idea just how loud those things are. After the very first shot Demetri took, while I stood beside him videoing, my ears started to ring, even though I was wearing those construction site ear muffs. More impressive than the superhard pop sound was the blasting power of the gun in your hands. I have to admit that I totally and completely loved it. The power rush is not like anything I've ever experienced, no where close. BANG! BANG! BANG-BANG-BANG!!! Now I want a Kalashnikov for Christmas.
We made it back to the city around noon and after a quick lunch I took Demetri and MB to the galleries that sell the painting copies. I bought a great copy of van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet", my favorite van Gogh painting (and, as of a few years ago, the most expensive painting ever sold at auction). Not sure what they picked up. When I left they were deciding between some very nice Cezanne works. Apparently, Demetri proposed to her in front of a Cezanne, so they have a thing for the Frenchman.
Gonna plan my trip to Hoi Ann now and then meet up with the crew later. Perhaps I'll have a chance to post again today...
R*
Throughout the visit to the historical site, the sound of machine guns could be heard in the background. As we neared the end of the tour, we were asked if we wanted to shoot the guns. Well, Demetri and I were still feeling very manly after our scorpion eating escapade the evening before, so, hell ya, we shot the guns. For about $1 US per bullet, we shot a Kalashnikov AK-47. We each used 5 bullets. Mutherfucker, what a rush. First of all, I had no idea just how loud those things are. After the very first shot Demetri took, while I stood beside him videoing, my ears started to ring, even though I was wearing those construction site ear muffs. More impressive than the superhard pop sound was the blasting power of the gun in your hands. I have to admit that I totally and completely loved it. The power rush is not like anything I've ever experienced, no where close. BANG! BANG! BANG-BANG-BANG!!! Now I want a Kalashnikov for Christmas.
We made it back to the city around noon and after a quick lunch I took Demetri and MB to the galleries that sell the painting copies. I bought a great copy of van Gogh's "Portrait of Dr. Gachet", my favorite van Gogh painting (and, as of a few years ago, the most expensive painting ever sold at auction). Not sure what they picked up. When I left they were deciding between some very nice Cezanne works. Apparently, Demetri proposed to her in front of a Cezanne, so they have a thing for the Frenchman.
Gonna plan my trip to Hoi Ann now and then meet up with the crew later. Perhaps I'll have a chance to post again today...
R*
Hey Rando, missing you in TO, but HCMC sounds awesome. You are very daring with respect to the Scorpian eating experience....I am waiting for one of your postings to say that you had the worst case of diarreah ever!
Aaron
Hi Honey,
Thank goodness - now I know what to buy for your next birthday! Love your blogs, you are amazing!
I love you,
Mom