Tu Duc Tomb
Trip Start
Nov 08, 2006
1
108
260
Trip End
Ongoing
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Hue, Vietnam
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Hue is home to the tombs of seven emperors of the Nguyen Dynasty. Everyone should know how to pronounce that family name because Dat Nguyen used to play linebacker for the Cowboys. See how useful the NFL is?
The tomb of Tu Duc is one of the most striking. The architecture is large in scale and incredibly detailed. It was built between 1864 and 1867. The area was designed by Tu Duc himself and it is often said that he spent a great deal of time in the gardens composing poetry. How sweet. It is also said that after he was buried the 200 servants involved in the task were immediately beheaded so that his resting place and lavish burial goods would remain a secret. Not as sweet.
The road to the tomb makes the journey quite pleasant. It is lined on both sides with countless incense vendors, selling millions of brightly colored sticks, and with many more drying all along the road. The entire area smells like one of those apartments where college girls read tarot cards and discuss what feels more pain: a flower, a tree, or an unseen rainbow.
My money is on the rainbow.
Comments
my money is on the rainbow
You'd be wrong, though, it's Hambone.