Day #2

In the AM I headed out on a local tour (about $6 USD) to some local temples and the Cu Chi Tunnels. (Here is where I would have inserted my super cool video footage)

I've concluded that there is a HUGE difference between learning and living. Throughout my public school days, I heard all about the Vietnam War but I didn't quite grasp it as well as I have over here. See, when I crept through the tunnels pitched black or walked through the rubber jungle area, dripping in sweat from the humidity, shoes soaked, and hearing gun shots in the background (they have a optional shooting range as part of the tour) was I finally able to get a real life glimpse of what it must have been like. Power points can only go so far.

My new words of wisdom: Take learning OUTSIDE the classroom. Inspired by a past president??? Visit his hometown. Want to know about the Civil War??? Take part in a re-enactment. Enjoy geography??? Explore. Don't limit yourself by walls.

After the tour I met up with Jeff, a local Vietnamese who I met on my plane ride over. My good friend, Dan Harris, is probably rolling his eyes right now because I yet again lucked out on meeting up with locals. (In the Philippines I randomly met 3 gals. We bonded immediately and spent the 4 days together.)
Jeff is actually an Ohio State Pharmacy student who is taking a semester off school to take care of his grandmother. From the look in his eyes you could tell he was exhausted. Maybe it had to do with the past semesters 21 hour class load + 15 hours of overshadowing??? I can't even relate to the devotion he has had to have to his classes. Fun fact about Jeff, he's actually payed $40,000 bucks to get "married" in the states so the cost of his education will cut down dramatically. People, we're so blessed to be in the USA and have quality education at our doorstep.

Anyways, so Jeff brought along two of his close friends (one who he was obviously head-over-heals for) and we headed around the city for about an hour on motorbikes. haha Who'da thought I'd ride on a motorbike?! I've gotta admit- I loved it! Then all four of us went to dinner at a 'locals only' restaurant. To paint up a picture of how far away we were from commercial Ho Chi Minh, mothers pointed at me to show their children and the menu was in Vietnamese only. YES! I'm seeing this town through local hangouts! We set a time to meet the following day, 6pm.

Man- this is awesome!