THE DMZ TO HUE

Much of today was spent in the car. We left Don Hoi and drove to the DMZ which was a 17 mile zone where no fighting took place during the war. We also had a chance to visit the famous tunnels where the Vietnamese went underground to avoid being bombed by the Americans. Their engineering and ingenuity was amazing. Miles of tunnels facing the sea for fresh air, wells, hospitals, maternity wards and schools all underground to outfox the enemy. The Vietnamese had spent years fighting the French and knew how to conduct a war. The more they were bombed, the more determined to defeat the enemy and they certainly did that. We are now in Hue which was at one time the Imperial City of Vietnam. It is a beautiful city on the Perfume River where the streets of the old quarter are shut down to autos and pedestrians can explore without fear of being smashed by a scooter or car or bicycle loaded with fruit. Prior to that we took our lives in our hands and crossed the street not just once but four times. Each time my life flashed before my eyes. My favorite part of the day was listening to a local band playing small drums and performing dance steps. I love to see local people keep their traditions alive. Tomorrow more of Hue then on to Hoi An.

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