Cu Chi Tunnels on the Way to Cambodia

 

This morning we had to say goodbye to our last hotel in VietNam and start our Journey to Cambodia.  

We started to day off at the CuChi Tunnels - where a lot of the fighting between the US and the Viet Kong too place.  As we made our way into the jungle - we got to see how this war part of the war was fought and why the Viet Kong were so successful against our troops.  As we walked around the area, we saw bomb craters, many entrances to the tunnels, breathing holes, trenches and the different types of traps that the Viet Kong used - all hidden in the ground.  Pretty scary when you think about all the ways they thought up to bring about destruction.  I think the realities of the war really started to sink into the students.  Our guide also explained - in his opinion - why propaganda worked so well in the South - especially with the people who lived in the countryside and were not as educated than those who lived in the city.  He also explained that people during that time really didn't know which side a person supported because of this propaganda.

 After touring above ground - we headed underground to experience the tunnels first hand - how small, hot and dark they were.  The Viet Kong would spend hours and days in these tunnels - unbelievable - even the small amount of time we spent underground - we came to the surface drenched in sweat.  Couldn't imagine being down there for days.  We did the first part of a tunnel and resurfaced.  To get through the tunnels you had to duck walk, bear walk or crawl.

We were asked if we wanted to do another one - that was a bit smaller and longer - so my "Go Big or Go Home" group headed back down.  Once we resurfaced again - we were told there was a third tunnel we could go through if we wanted - but it was much smaller and we could experience claustrophobia down there and once in the tunnel, there was no turning back until the exit point.  So down we went again - this time with the whole group - so we affectionately called this our "Go Smallest or Go Home" group (The very top picture is us at the end of the last tunnel). Shiv (our tour guide) and UT (our local guide) were very impressed with us.  Neither of them had ever had a group that did all three tunnels.  Made me proud that "my" kids were there to experience everything that was presented to them.  You never know if you are going to be back again - soak it all in - and they did!! 

After finishing up at the tunnels - it was off to lunch at a restaurant on the river - we some of the kids splurged and enjoyed some fresh fruit smoothies before lunch to cool down.  After lunch it was off to Cambodia. 

On the way, we had a pottie stop and some snack shopping for the rest of the drive.  Just a funny - walking back to the bus - Trevor was showing me this interesting pull tab on his soda can - an actually pull tab!!  I had to explain to him that those were the type of tabs that all soda cans had in the olden days - like when I was growing up!  LOL.  Then he stopped and paused, then commented that he had heard of pull tabs before - but had never seen one.  I had to thank him for making me feel old, but goes to prove that there is something to learn even in the smallest things. 

Once at the border, we exited Vietnam and then walked across the border into Cambodia - where we met by our new local guide "Sna"  He helped  us through the process of obtaining our Cambodia visas with our VIP service (which equals bribe).  They are quite open and outspoken about the corruption of the government in Cambodia and have, in  a way, accepted it as a way of life.  Seemed a bit strange - but when in Cambodia - what do you do.  This was much in contrast as to South Vietnam where, when UT wanted to talk about anything political, he pulled us aside and made sure no one was around us to hear what he was saying.  Definitely a different world from what we are used to.  I hope the students at least take away how lucky we are to have to freedoms we do - and can speak freely without free of retribution and that, wherever your personal political beliefs fall, we have the opportunity to change our government and speak out when we feel it is unjust.  

After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to rest up - big day tomorrow, probably emotional - learning about the Killing Fields and Genocide in Cambodia.