Team USA: 1986 Honda "All-Round"

• Jcrochet1's Profile
• About this blog
• Entry from Cantho

Trip Start Jun 02, 2010 Previous
Entry Trip End Jul 31, 2010 Next
Entry

  Cantho, Long An, Vietnam
Wednesday, June 23, 2010

Just like a twosome on the links, Teddy and I spent a day exploring the Vietcong tunnels in the historic wartime city of Cu Chi. Though an oft used joke back home, the tunnels are no higher than 4 feet tall at any point and will really make one sympathize with the enemy that lived in them for months at a time. We also saw a series of preserved Vietcong booby traps that will make your skin curl. A tough realization, the experience was counteracted by the outright buffoonery provided us by our tour guide; self coined "John Wayne." Like trouble makers on a field trip to the planetarium, Teddy and I lost our group within minutes in order to explore the tunnels and exhibitions that the area had to offer. A jungle battle site flushed with underground tunnels is an intriguing spot folks; one that my strapping young friend and I explored at least 45 minutes past the scheduled departure time. Realizing that John Wayne would likely shed his jolly tour guide persona upon finding the two responsible for his late date with tea, we had to think quickly. Wayne's strength: a unique knowledge of Vietnam history and the smile of a kindergarten art teacher. Wayne's weakness: communicative English. Simply put, we flipped Wayne. Upon meeting up with the once jovial tour guide, I jumped to the point asking, "John Wayne, Where have you been?" The rest was a peaceful trip back.

In recent news, we spent three days milking the city of Saigon for all it was worth and have made our way to the Mekong Delta in southern Vietnam. An historic river system with roots tied deep in the Vietnam War, Teddy and I felt it was best to pay our respects to all fallen service men and women via a nice bike ride from Saigon to the unknown city of Cantho--a province storied in Mekong River lure and the town home to the world famous Vietnam floating markets. Once a small dot on a "Lonely Planet" map, Cantho now has been magically transformed itself into a city of charm: twilight couples flirting in the morning sun through cheerful games of bad mitten, innocent kids braiding necklaces and hair in the community square, and non-English speaking Vietnamese of all ages generously giving direction after direction to two hopelessly lost white men on a bike they rented without any automotive clue whatsoever. With the aid of a citizenship and the beating heart of a 1986 Honda V2 "All-Round," we have arrived at the Hien Guesthouse in time to witness the miracle that was Landon Donovan's goal in the 93rd minute against Algeria. Team USA is heading to war against Ghana. Perhaps if Coach Bradley and his squad have half the passion and spirit of a 1986 Japanese motor scooter, they'll score twice as often.

Tomorrow we will travel across intercontinental lines to Phnom Penh, Cambodia (pronounced Nom-Pen). At some point during the next week we will spend a day at Angkor Wat, one of the 7 wonders of the ancient world. The last few computers have not uploaded my pictures, but they're amazing and you will see them shortly.

Good Night and God Bless America,

GO BRAVES

Sam Crochet

Slideshow Share

Post your own travel photos for friends and family More Pictures

Bridge over the Mekong Delta	Splitting of the Delta	Vietnamese family off of Highway 1A	Cantho at 6:00 am
Trouble on the Road	Teddy	Sunrise over the Mekong	Morning badmitten

Previous Entry Next Entry