Cu Chi tunnels by Robert

It took us over an hour to go eight miles out of town and then another hour to go the final twenty two mile to our destination. (Of course we had to stop for beer)  The Cu Chi tunnels are an immense network of connecting underground tunnels located in the Cu’ Chi district of Saigon and are part of a much larger network of tunnels that underlie much of the country.  First started during the French war they were intensified and multiple layers were added during the Vietnam War.  Before you are allowed to go down into the tunnels you must first watch a very interesting propaganda video made in 1967 about the Cu’ Chi district, the American aggression and the tunnels that were used to fight off that aggression.  I only have two things to say about the video:  War is a terrible thing and there are two sides to every story. 

(Enough about politics)  I, all 6’ 1” of me, descended down into the tunnels by placing my hands above my head, the only way you can fit, and dropping into the entrance.  Once inside I scurried along a corridor that was maybe three and a half feet tall until I reached a room that was used to shoot at enemy combatants that were above ground.  The temperature today was in the 90’s with about 95% humidity.  Inside the tunnels it seemed at least ten degrees hotter.  I was soaking wet when I emerged from the tunnels.  What an experience.  I cannot imagine what it must have been like for the Vietnamese to fight from such a position or for American troops to go into these tunnels to flush out their enemy.  Very tight, dark and heavily booby trapped the tunnels must have been hell for both sides. 

Once we left the tunnels we found out just how fast a 50cc scooter can go.  With our heads down to reduce drag we accelerated to over 100km per hour.  That is only about 62 mph.  But on a scooter that feels like you are really moving.  We were able to make the return trip in about an hour and a half with no beer stops.  We did stop to cross a small wooden bridge on our scooters.  Once we got closer to the city we again hit rush hour traffic.  This experience boggles the mind.  We luckily found our way back to our hotel safely. 

After a shower at our hotel we headed out to dinner where we ate and attempted to tell some local women some jokes and, unsuccessfully from my perspective, explain to them why they were funny.  We did get a laugh out of them, but I am not sure if they were laughing with us or at us.  Either way we all laughed and had a great time.  Communicating with women is difficult without the language barrier.  Add the barrier and it is almost impossible. 

After dinner we cruised around town for a while on our scooters before stopping into another bar for yet another beer.  The Guns and Roses music emanating from the bar before we entered made me a little apprehensive, but once inside I got a great laugh.  In this bar, that sported a western theme, there was a center bar with waitresses dressed like cowgirls with their white daisy dukes, mid drift tops and a fake holster on their hip.  As if that was not entertaining enough, on stage was one of strangest bands I have seen doing 80’s rock cover tunes.  The cheesy Vietnamese lead singer was backed up by three Vietnamese women who could not properly pronounce all the lyrics and guitar players that looked like they stole all their moves from Mtv in the 80’s.  After a few songs which included: Pink Floyd, Bon Jovi and yet another GNR song we had to leave.  Vietnam is all about the experience. 

Posted by Robert the tall man who survived the Cu’ Chi tunnels and a cowboy bar in Vietnam.