tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-44816294236985510632024-03-13T10:56:38.028+07:00Bill In NamA veteran's experience on living in Vietnam.BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.comBlogger54125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-76501904438713801912012-05-24T18:01:00.002+07:002012-05-26T13:28:04.939+07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span id="goog_444906909"></span><span id="goog_444906910"></span>God, has it really been that long since I last posted on this blog? I must be getting lazy. It's not because I have been doing nothing, because I've actually been doing a lot since then. Just lazy to write, I guess. Anyway, so much has happened that I don't really know where to start.<br />
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Lately, I've been busy with tours or friends, or both. I finished up with a tour for four vets I know and one of their sons. We took a couple of war vintage Jeeps up the Ho Chi Minh Trail to the DMZ.It's interesting to see the reactions of men who have not lived a day in the past forty years without having visions of Vietnam come see it again. Most are shocked by how much has changed over the years. Not much remains of the war days. Old battle sites have now become luxury resorts, or industrial parks, or have been consumed by the jungles. Occasionally you run into a pair of dog tags or a pair of eyes that remind you of the past. The only thing left to see are the cemeteries and monuments. But still, it does something to your soul to look out over land that you have known so intimately. It still affects me and I've been doing it a long time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBkY-vSusMf-sISoR3vWY6uaFkIO7F8GaBCt0aUOp8-obNJewSyAxFG1qzaSD4rINqpk2SWRS6xK9cnEpH9Es9vXTkzHNoOzj_MvehJqHXXE14DuuD-eh6zO77TDRqRpEHH0Ma3095y9g/s1600/ConThien.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpBkY-vSusMf-sISoR3vWY6uaFkIO7F8GaBCt0aUOp8-obNJewSyAxFG1qzaSD4rINqpk2SWRS6xK9cnEpH9Es9vXTkzHNoOzj_MvehJqHXXE14DuuD-eh6zO77TDRqRpEHH0Ma3095y9g/s320/ConThien.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ken, Roger, Don, and Bill at Con Thien</td></tr>
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Just before these Marines arrived, I met Anh in Hanoi with plans to fly to Dien Binh Phu for a couple of nights. It was the anniversary for the battle of Dien Binh Phu and a couple of old NVA vets were flying there for a reunion. They asked if we would like to join them. Wow! What an opportunity! But as luck would have it, the flight was cancelled and we didn't have time to wait for the next flight the following day so we opted to go on an adventure.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhu59yai-tG0Rpe0SXIYjyAFh_UPVJ4Tw8oyWZyKbBELrn31szMTnkYGS_9VzpGE0NL-UVvDyjcZiCl9lMbL-rvchfvus1rHtdl11PY_HJRVFN7QkWM2LqbHTcX4CZmlxvuLYGPfp7j3z/s1600/1-Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMhu59yai-tG0Rpe0SXIYjyAFh_UPVJ4Tw8oyWZyKbBELrn31szMTnkYGS_9VzpGE0NL-UVvDyjcZiCl9lMbL-rvchfvus1rHtdl11PY_HJRVFN7QkWM2LqbHTcX4CZmlxvuLYGPfp7j3z/s200/1-Map.jpg" width="152" /></a>Anh had heard stories about the very northern part of Vietnam around the town of Dong Van. She had heard that the area was beautiful and nearly unspoiled by tourism. She was right! Problem is, there is only one way to get there; The Bus From Hell. We had a taxi drop us off outside of the airport and waited for the next bus heading in our direction. Eventually, a mini-bus with room for twenty people stopped. There were more than thirty people on board. With hundred pound bags of rice staked in the aisle and boxes of who knows what stacked to the ceilings, we headed off into the unknown. It was now nearly ten o'clock and we had eight ours of driving before our first stop at Tuyen Quang. This driver wasn't so bad except for the time he steered with his elbows while talking on two cellphones at the same time. This is true!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XmZp2dJdxaOmvd2m_eANRqMwA12H_BSCbWQZTBkUxSVPW_a4W1oqI2El6ZyFSR-6rLkFpLD9jrdHRHcWJlfYJHtvZSMj_6ETLmZ9z9UrWJNhIBQ0I_zz1mnGpMMvGSnpLkL0nX3ka75b/s1600/IMG_4793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2XmZp2dJdxaOmvd2m_eANRqMwA12H_BSCbWQZTBkUxSVPW_a4W1oqI2El6ZyFSR-6rLkFpLD9jrdHRHcWJlfYJHtvZSMj_6ETLmZ9z9UrWJNhIBQ0I_zz1mnGpMMvGSnpLkL0nX3ka75b/s320/IMG_4793.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
At five in the morning, we went to the bus station and waited. The first to come along was so crowed that peoples faces were pressed against the windows. Boxes of fruit and vegitables were staked so high on the roof that the center of gravity was about ten feet above the driver. No way was I getting on that bus. The next bus was only half full and just had some plumbing pipe and a couple of motorbikes strapped to the top. The driver didn't seem to mind the fluids running from under the bus. Much better. The Beatle's song <i>The Long and Winding Road</i> kept running through my mind for the next thirteen hours. Finally, we reached Ha Giang and could have a cold beer while we waited for the bus to take us the last sixty-five kilometers to Dong Van.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXybmx3_D1zkxyQcdXKi0BfwhW-mb0_MW-plzGwccEWlr1hRTQYxisXgADuN2NluP7uJeSgCXcJ_7hgiPBTN58slcw6KQeahm05CHs6aOPlC5x2xUop4fsTijZJgH5qSSDZ8B2WjeS22V/s1600/IMG_4850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisXybmx3_D1zkxyQcdXKi0BfwhW-mb0_MW-plzGwccEWlr1hRTQYxisXgADuN2NluP7uJeSgCXcJ_7hgiPBTN58slcw6KQeahm05CHs6aOPlC5x2xUop4fsTijZJgH5qSSDZ8B2WjeS22V/s320/IMG_4850.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtdhyCfhJ4sMD7KwffUwifZgWMDX9BR5hGnehiAiF-Jy9ODrFRfBACkpY0ztZ5JySf3plGyU-4pmffdFiDqMgl8g9IKsW9aNwvRFq0UVyz2s6we_iggZxs0TTDhRhEpiKuX5HafhbgLV8/s1600/IMG_4895.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7cjFnqyGBpfYN7LfD3DAazKNKS9eDb4wGvibCVwBIBt6TPtt4K77FpCZZgNJ8G6YiTjf8CJ-PUnLVtMpUvmg4DLQXelTUbiOgJO-laeTsSMXcOgoj9GNNV9HZ08B05HbRQ8tAAmKh6oN/s1600/IMG_4914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR7cjFnqyGBpfYN7LfD3DAazKNKS9eDb4wGvibCVwBIBt6TPtt4K77FpCZZgNJ8G6YiTjf8CJ-PUnLVtMpUvmg4DLQXelTUbiOgJO-laeTsSMXcOgoj9GNNV9HZ08B05HbRQ8tAAmKh6oN/s320/IMG_4914.jpg" width="320" /></a>Pulling out of town, the bus had to make a stop to pick up some coffins. The fact that they weren't yet assembled gave me little comfort. The assistant driver slapped me on the knee so that I would move it, enabling him to recline his seat into my lap. We wound our way up a beautifully terraced mountainside for about an hour and a half. The assistant driver turned and said it would cost us 200,000 dong ($10.00) each for the ride. We knew it was supposed to be only 100,000 dong so we argued. He told us to pay or get off the bus. We got off the bus. A young man we met at the bus station noticed what was happening and got off with us. The young man caught a ride on a passing motorbike and went off to fetch us a taxi. We were alone in the middle of nowhere. I could see the road vanish into the Karst topography as it wound its way over the distant mountains. The only consolation was that it was magnificent out there. The jagged landscape stretched around us as far as the eye <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtdhyCfhJ4sMD7KwffUwifZgWMDX9BR5hGnehiAiF-Jy9ODrFRfBACkpY0ztZ5JySf3plGyU-4pmffdFiDqMgl8g9IKsW9aNwvRFq0UVyz2s6we_iggZxs0TTDhRhEpiKuX5HafhbgLV8/s1600/IMG_4895.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbtdhyCfhJ4sMD7KwffUwifZgWMDX9BR5hGnehiAiF-Jy9ODrFRfBACkpY0ztZ5JySf3plGyU-4pmffdFiDqMgl8g9IKsW9aNwvRFq0UVyz2s6we_iggZxs0TTDhRhEpiKuX5HafhbgLV8/s320/IMG_4895.jpg" width="320" /></a>could see in all directions and the sun was beginning to set. The lighting was spectacular. There was a young woman cutting grass to weave into a mat plus several other ladies carrying bundles of grass, there were some children playing, and people working in the fields far below us. Two hours passed, then two and a half. Finally, our ride came and we continued to our destination. We arrived well after nine pm. The taxi cost 700,000 dong ($40.00).<br />
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For more photos on this adventure vist my <a href="http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.442524609110688.110081.100000594587706&type=1&l=627dabdce5" target="_blank">Facebook page</a><br />
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<br /></div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-60290545067890871732011-08-26T08:50:00.001+07:002011-08-26T08:54:25.371+07:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Well, the BIG trip to the US is about to come to an end. Anh flew home last week but I had to stay here for another couple of weeks to take care of some last minute business. I will be heading back home on Sept 4. It's hard to believe that we did and saw so much in the two months that Anh was here. <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_A2TjxkZbw87E3FltQH2p-IjxgWr7jJVolg1FbBuub2Jl__Zuw-Egt-EMt7zpBWayg8xkZQ_qsjBtbN4265WT0B1y2Aw6JmY_QX4Q2JsMkYIUubYcuqHeUYF9-gdVPKUm7ZOe5yMTc7x/s1600/IMG_4082.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ_A2TjxkZbw87E3FltQH2p-IjxgWr7jJVolg1FbBuub2Jl__Zuw-Egt-EMt7zpBWayg8xkZQ_qsjBtbN4265WT0B1y2Aw6JmY_QX4Q2JsMkYIUubYcuqHeUYF9-gdVPKUm7ZOe5yMTc7x/s320/IMG_4082.jpg" width="320" /></a>After our trip to Alaska, we stopped off in Colorado for about a week before flying to Louisville, Kentucky for my Marine reunion. I always enjoy the reunions though they wear me out. It seems like it's non-stop for a week of getting back in touch with some of the most special men in the world. It's kind of interesting though. People ask what we talk about at the reunions. They wonder if we sit around and tell our war stories. Nope. I never heard one war story this year. We talked about our hip replacements, our prostates, and our Social Security checks. Anh was a big hit at the reunion. She had met several of the<br />
Marines before when they came to Vietnam on tour<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80tUJBUR7XRUs-upSVR9gV-rRI6aDnnBIf0xFZK_L8dS3TqtsRGY8o4U27MC8zd-IdAbrqcmrdXDzGV5RDaRGNS6ZkmP_ACbtrER47Y-E09p2EfCeA26Z1tt2iOmxq2qxM4yCM1v19Pur/s1600/IMG_4056.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80tUJBUR7XRUs-upSVR9gV-rRI6aDnnBIf0xFZK_L8dS3TqtsRGY8o4U27MC8zd-IdAbrqcmrdXDzGV5RDaRGNS6ZkmP_ACbtrER47Y-E09p2EfCeA26Z1tt2iOmxq2qxM4yCM1v19Pur/s320/IMG_4056.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> so she wasn't completely new to the party. She was able to talk to a lot of the guys about what it's like in Vietnam today and helped put some of their minds to rest that the war really is over now. We got all gussied up for the big banquet on Saturday night and I must say we were elegant. The Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps was our guest speaker and of course Anh wanted to get a picture of her and the man with all the stars on his shoulders.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IiOXkQIHLSxyj6DswYMKv_CzDpdqI7ECP4DinV1kCQ2f5JHaMTXmPLhKrA7tU0ZYeO1p98U-hINQi2tyQWkKlySbhq7kPqJmUkgJSSwDNp8rqwvVx8EOOxeWDV-MGcT8n3jvuE25pV9x/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KgM4_mb5icayLg-nKdkJHik5v_4fBYxdwOtn9VUbAKUdP-IykV01UYIZ76jV_fysvWGZ6ZRWg4XFLAcVBbmbipoY_BUwBMgSau38iluoecXQ-67d1yAAxurPCZUhEn1f0g-TEQAQcuxP/s1600/IMG_3984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IiOXkQIHLSxyj6DswYMKv_CzDpdqI7ECP4DinV1kCQ2f5JHaMTXmPLhKrA7tU0ZYeO1p98U-hINQi2tyQWkKlySbhq7kPqJmUkgJSSwDNp8rqwvVx8EOOxeWDV-MGcT8n3jvuE25pV9x/s1600/IMG_3974.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-IiOXkQIHLSxyj6DswYMKv_CzDpdqI7ECP4DinV1kCQ2f5JHaMTXmPLhKrA7tU0ZYeO1p98U-hINQi2tyQWkKlySbhq7kPqJmUkgJSSwDNp8rqwvVx8EOOxeWDV-MGcT8n3jvuE25pV9x/s320/IMG_3974.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KgM4_mb5icayLg-nKdkJHik5v_4fBYxdwOtn9VUbAKUdP-IykV01UYIZ76jV_fysvWGZ6ZRWg4XFLAcVBbmbipoY_BUwBMgSau38iluoecXQ-67d1yAAxurPCZUhEn1f0g-TEQAQcuxP/s1600/IMG_3984.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0KgM4_mb5icayLg-nKdkJHik5v_4fBYxdwOtn9VUbAKUdP-IykV01UYIZ76jV_fysvWGZ6ZRWg4XFLAcVBbmbipoY_BUwBMgSau38iluoecXQ-67d1yAAxurPCZUhEn1f0g-TEQAQcuxP/s320/IMG_3984.jpg" width="320" /></a>While in Louisville, we also had the chance to see our dear friends John and Caroline who live in Bangkok part of the year. They were having an export show in Louisville just before the reunion started. So we got to see the Jim Beam distillery and Churchill Downs together. After the reunion, Anh and I rented a car and drove up to Dayton, Ohio to spend a few days at John and Caroline's farm. It was a wonderful time to relax and enjoy some dear friends. Anh especially loved driving their red "mule" around the farm.<br />
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All in all, it has been a wonderful trip. We saw ten states (including Alaska) and was able to introduce Anh to my family. I think she will want to come back again someday soon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-Hi7tj2hfFezIeaBjZeVZgH7dY3C9w7v23Kx9r9daz6vKFjI96q6XoBCxzhs_J5xp0OFgzvTPW8Dg07ZVzXwVJo_C-E3eJSo3KJTsBbJ0uRB7k6b8yZGQjngfUfFplILDwS68FU6c_YP/s1600/IMG_4102.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ-Hi7tj2hfFezIeaBjZeVZgH7dY3C9w7v23Kx9r9daz6vKFjI96q6XoBCxzhs_J5xp0OFgzvTPW8Dg07ZVzXwVJo_C-E3eJSo3KJTsBbJ0uRB7k6b8yZGQjngfUfFplILDwS68FU6c_YP/s320/IMG_4102.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGTXBvu5nChOOynuD8k73pMugwGEa8zqXouyi3lrYFIyWJnCHlkMM-iTsGTABi6sps7R1fkyCV53mgjDN0TwZeb7-wWJyW5PQ4i-cu6etLoB18DWczCIu0YiOnEkkt4aBfSPHaUprR-vY/s1600/IMG_4090.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTGTXBvu5nChOOynuD8k73pMugwGEa8zqXouyi3lrYFIyWJnCHlkMM-iTsGTABi6sps7R1fkyCV53mgjDN0TwZeb7-wWJyW5PQ4i-cu6etLoB18DWczCIu0YiOnEkkt4aBfSPHaUprR-vY/s320/IMG_4090.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-41371671203234149892011-07-30T22:55:00.002+07:002011-07-30T22:56:43.310+07:00North to Alaska<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyEGi2wtFIzrPvgIVQcR3iLce5MRcplA7YNUOvPGflGP_WMyYtVuczor0faDvCn8VKBqIbVo_1_a5H8mYQTziLmx4LIe3KO41dThd7vO_8t2Kjb4yN7N2foeNf9kLEDLCTgYXahzmUtBC/s1600/IMG_3818.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfyEGi2wtFIzrPvgIVQcR3iLce5MRcplA7YNUOvPGflGP_WMyYtVuczor0faDvCn8VKBqIbVo_1_a5H8mYQTziLmx4LIe3KO41dThd7vO_8t2Kjb4yN7N2foeNf9kLEDLCTgYXahzmUtBC/s320/IMG_3818.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Next stop: Alaska! Our good friend Suel lives in Da Nang in the winter and in Alaska in the summer. Anh and I decided to give him a visit while we were in the neighborhood. This part of our adventure was all a spur of the moment decision. This wasn't in our plan but since we were held up getting Anh's visa at the beginning of the trip, we really have no plan. I figured that if we were ever going to see Alaska together, this was the time to do it. We are so glad we did. The weather was perfect, mid 80's during midday and cooling off to mid 60's at night (what little night there was). It didn't get dark until after midnight.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeie8XLDoXFl9JfgKKcA61A42NOfQkNc4FdBsiTJakr_XTy0HImS5Ykka4g2H_Wu4W31c9-EHJLFTz-lfUoDG6mVeGP5SXaLRduOVcVLjPt8bbD721YmotsEFQmaXyvUV43-lddb767AM/s1600/IMG_3796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdeie8XLDoXFl9JfgKKcA61A42NOfQkNc4FdBsiTJakr_XTy0HImS5Ykka4g2H_Wu4W31c9-EHJLFTz-lfUoDG6mVeGP5SXaLRduOVcVLjPt8bbD721YmotsEFQmaXyvUV43-lddb767AM/s200/IMG_3796.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvgXjRnZZjrG1jzcJM3oJ4A9WU4foEn31vUgJqzvNGIcB5-vK6ysor63UhzXFyHrjomeiNYmWf2UbkEvnRZGEeSaR8u3fxSDyfEu1wsrIp93hseGSz2w3fjxCfOvgDz2kudibbkbw-bcc/s1600/IMG_3806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a>Suel has a little cabin on the Matanuska Glacier, about a hundred miles outside of Anchorage. He has no running water but does have electricity and had set up a cozy little loft for us that looks out over some of the most beautiful country in the world. We spent most of our time just sitting on the porch talking and laughing and eating. Anh kicked Suel out of his kitchen while she tried her hand at cooking like a mountain woman. She can whip up a mean moose goulash.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLoZJW5PmjfCKkmpuveF4AHLpWSXFlN_GGMCN2thzeHQlJJ3tTwIyep1WZqWWCfdIQGHiyRZuKOrilVtjICeKUYH5Ej4HlZ7HrPoSL26uho3fnUKU8tIxOZMTBrGju0LDmLbEdMWrQHOf/s1600/IMG_3800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTLoZJW5PmjfCKkmpuveF4AHLpWSXFlN_GGMCN2thzeHQlJJ3tTwIyep1WZqWWCfdIQGHiyRZuKOrilVtjICeKUYH5Ej4HlZ7HrPoSL26uho3fnUKU8tIxOZMTBrGju0LDmLbEdMWrQHOf/s200/IMG_3800.jpg" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvgXjRnZZjrG1jzcJM3oJ4A9WU4foEn31vUgJqzvNGIcB5-vK6ysor63UhzXFyHrjomeiNYmWf2UbkEvnRZGEeSaR8u3fxSDyfEu1wsrIp93hseGSz2w3fjxCfOvgDz2kudibbkbw-bcc/s1600/IMG_3806.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnvgXjRnZZjrG1jzcJM3oJ4A9WU4foEn31vUgJqzvNGIcB5-vK6ysor63UhzXFyHrjomeiNYmWf2UbkEvnRZGEeSaR8u3fxSDyfEu1wsrIp93hseGSz2w3fjxCfOvgDz2kudibbkbw-bcc/s200/IMG_3806.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
We had a great time driving around to meet Suel's neighbors and see how the 'real people' in Alaska live. It was really fun getting to meet some of his friends and visit their homes. Everyone in his neck of the woods has built their own house and some of them are very unique.<br />
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</div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-58731631446966786372011-07-30T22:07:00.000+07:002011-07-30T22:07:39.468+07:00California<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwTGOrMwzMTbGcBngwTSRSB09rYdh5wdepp30tiujaiQMnmi4-9aI9XhX81VzLv8vmLXQDIGdMxSHk03Gcx8G_l3eXbG-yRBZzg6AZrj03pxXHP3IOQ51-B_LoBu8sHY0i9_B2cpeS7mR/s1600/IMG_3679.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdgfMZt4EF4vHF4X_Z5bqvr2rqlXSeRXWsfQ_ORCKuqglHUf7Ne3NtREUceb-WZL1TlwXDAnBeAU8i2gjrqXoPNQNxp3XBJKOy5-AKVZO9niJWK105ORsonp7lLQ_vZ-HiXTTHK2vRaBV/s1600/IMG_3697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp4k8cmFHEIVKf6CVFJMFEX3UAiyBq4C3VrTRNUNnjV2WS-wq7EkYWI6UZ5agNpg7qootZBTsNUlEzoK8ftuLfsTMyKsel2w4ezlO4BUM9V8mVRE1JVU9bS3dFvVWkFGm8y5U1zGfE4Y8/s1600/IMG_3641.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPp4k8cmFHEIVKf6CVFJMFEX3UAiyBq4C3VrTRNUNnjV2WS-wq7EkYWI6UZ5agNpg7qootZBTsNUlEzoK8ftuLfsTMyKsel2w4ezlO4BUM9V8mVRE1JVU9bS3dFvVWkFGm8y5U1zGfE4Y8/s200/IMG_3641.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizKvcRl1DGPmFw8xY5nRlNgenfZCKQTTm3pnCcbZcmpjLNVxGQ6tAOsBOGU6KGY4CmsVEKxurR76IdnQGpWsDLa69THZXuaUZhjlSmkPmZumwcTt5-Ly8IHOwDNFHmCA8ujwVnSYYPw4n/s1600/IMG_3665.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Next on our agenda was to visit Anh's daughter and niece in Phoenix. Our flight from Wichita to Phoenix was canceled and we were re-routed on a later flight with a layover in Chicago. Don't ask why we had to go to Chicago to get to Phoenix. It's another example of logic in flying. But it did give Anh one more state to add to her list of places visited. Arizona was even hotter than Kansas (115) but it wasn't humid so it was almost bearable.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglD0Di6UB7I_eLaitEHcJXmcs6MVE2eZOM0OHQiZZkDS-FMOFE_-YJjavxn9A8iRrM6K47wOa90adC3latJtzuqij2VFREhHlUV82o47VDg7hKNHoiKPnlPCJKLsDY7H36hcM8GZKVbIuv/s1600/IMG_3645.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglD0Di6UB7I_eLaitEHcJXmcs6MVE2eZOM0OHQiZZkDS-FMOFE_-YJjavxn9A8iRrM6K47wOa90adC3latJtzuqij2VFREhHlUV82o47VDg7hKNHoiKPnlPCJKLsDY7H36hcM8GZKVbIuv/s200/IMG_3645.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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Just seeing Anh and her daughter Na get together for the first time in nearly three years was enough to make the trip a success. It was well after midnight before our plane landed and we were all exhausted but we stayed up and chatted until the wee hours.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizKvcRl1DGPmFw8xY5nRlNgenfZCKQTTm3pnCcbZcmpjLNVxGQ6tAOsBOGU6KGY4CmsVEKxurR76IdnQGpWsDLa69THZXuaUZhjlSmkPmZumwcTt5-Ly8IHOwDNFHmCA8ujwVnSYYPw4n/s1600/IMG_3665.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiizKvcRl1DGPmFw8xY5nRlNgenfZCKQTTm3pnCcbZcmpjLNVxGQ6tAOsBOGU6KGY4CmsVEKxurR76IdnQGpWsDLa69THZXuaUZhjlSmkPmZumwcTt5-Ly8IHOwDNFHmCA8ujwVnSYYPw4n/s200/IMG_3665.jpg" width="200" /></a> <br />
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Though our stay in Phoenix was short, we did have a great time there. It was especially fun to get to know Anh's neice's daughter, Ashlinn, who liked to dance for us and try to teach me Vietnamese.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwTGOrMwzMTbGcBngwTSRSB09rYdh5wdepp30tiujaiQMnmi4-9aI9XhX81VzLv8vmLXQDIGdMxSHk03Gcx8G_l3eXbG-yRBZzg6AZrj03pxXHP3IOQ51-B_LoBu8sHY0i9_B2cpeS7mR/s1600/IMG_3679.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMwTGOrMwzMTbGcBngwTSRSB09rYdh5wdepp30tiujaiQMnmi4-9aI9XhX81VzLv8vmLXQDIGdMxSHk03Gcx8G_l3eXbG-yRBZzg6AZrj03pxXHP3IOQ51-B_LoBu8sHY0i9_B2cpeS7mR/s200/IMG_3679.jpg" width="200" /></a> After two nights in Phoenix, we hit the road and drove out to El Monte, California to visit Anh's sister and her family. El Monte has a large Vietnamese population and is called "Little Saigon". It was almost like driving in downtown Saigon with all the Vietnamese shops and restaurants on the streets. I was amazed by how patriotic the Vietnamese living there are. Everywhere you looked, there were American flags flying, even inside homes and on automobiles. There is a memorial in El Monte that the Viet community erected to honor both the American and South Vietnamese soldiers.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8Invkq1dNItFdh7_TTt4w1ytGsWMaKNCUBvZiXEknV3yDzlvADjSf2O8_Jmm0b9ShCPtGtybmLD4Re2sNq4GBwxN9spJklMgENJK3xLIbPYz0WL-7Vhs6WZ-DFLVFOE3kobxcYMSTLX6/s1600/IMG_3768.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8Invkq1dNItFdh7_TTt4w1ytGsWMaKNCUBvZiXEknV3yDzlvADjSf2O8_Jmm0b9ShCPtGtybmLD4Re2sNq4GBwxN9spJklMgENJK3xLIbPYz0WL-7Vhs6WZ-DFLVFOE3kobxcYMSTLX6/s200/IMG_3768.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP5OEPLjGURu4a2jlQwPwcoVAwngD4_F_cwPF4ta7myQS-IrIoAgKz0HlF7kusuhmk2lfIkkamMFL_KRWSxzC6jDGGlN-y7xX0c9qU2_3xLlr71q7tyU5EM36q2Q_vYabsVaXYznYkp6V/s1600/IMG_3738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilP5OEPLjGURu4a2jlQwPwcoVAwngD4_F_cwPF4ta7myQS-IrIoAgKz0HlF7kusuhmk2lfIkkamMFL_KRWSxzC6jDGGlN-y7xX0c9qU2_3xLlr71q7tyU5EM36q2Q_vYabsVaXYznYkp6V/s200/IMG_3738.jpg" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEyMTfYRkzmIvfKqFoJMMkAeJT62ozpvdZaWVf5BJG_qplzsK9gbU3vl9fZk5wy_Zvpig9AqECtTt4v9wvZ-qqGOasv_fxtcrzo7lBz7TFzn1nyY0Df3EgkFGJc-kQkHEx4_EwPZpKcwc/s1600/IMG_3743.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEyMTfYRkzmIvfKqFoJMMkAeJT62ozpvdZaWVf5BJG_qplzsK9gbU3vl9fZk5wy_Zvpig9AqECtTt4v9wvZ-qqGOasv_fxtcrzo7lBz7TFzn1nyY0Df3EgkFGJc-kQkHEx4_EwPZpKcwc/s200/IMG_3743.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHEyMTfYRkzmIvfKqFoJMMkAeJT62ozpvdZaWVf5BJG_qplzsK9gbU3vl9fZk5wy_Zvpig9AqECtTt4v9wvZ-qqGOasv_fxtcrzo7lBz7TFzn1nyY0Df3EgkFGJc-kQkHEx4_EwPZpKcwc/s1600/IMG_3743.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> We took advantage of our time in Southern California to do a bit of touristy stuff. Anh's daughter and boyfriend drove us to Hollywood so we could walk on the stars of Hollywood Blvd. and then go to Santa Monica to visit the pier.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsLHky_oq-P4VH4vgiHG01pM8rpVCpcVoiDHMLwdFNsvv7QK3K49k9NNP-XR9ySG7lbvpPRCYEz9XeVotL_JuatlUfPJajQUfE6yihlQbkDDzXCNkd4n3WhoOMToLIsY_MkOXN5PY7k2u/s1600/IMG_3723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsLHky_oq-P4VH4vgiHG01pM8rpVCpcVoiDHMLwdFNsvv7QK3K49k9NNP-XR9ySG7lbvpPRCYEz9XeVotL_JuatlUfPJajQUfE6yihlQbkDDzXCNkd4n3WhoOMToLIsY_MkOXN5PY7k2u/s200/IMG_3723.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmcy74JsbRrcXWXhwtRFRl4kmCaZHjfWuipUQA-XEyM4K20DtNvn0fvvmQqrMaFDcdFDtegtkZ91bOBdTcPFL1fHpxRyzImSfFBoEbzqVe3fGBM5ewe2WSSE31W7lJuijtPenjZud6x4X/s1600/IMG_3697.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFmcy74JsbRrcXWXhwtRFRl4kmCaZHjfWuipUQA-XEyM4K20DtNvn0fvvmQqrMaFDcdFDtegtkZ91bOBdTcPFL1fHpxRyzImSfFBoEbzqVe3fGBM5ewe2WSSE31W7lJuijtPenjZud6x4X/s200/IMG_3697.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="150" /></a><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKwJlPqj6qzOyGEt6zvnks2NDrBbaVKl741pKQ_tpyV_yQXn2Eou29n6v4s8OBWQnR7ZkYVbX17gTd6m7Ox2v3fA22nY_CyoQ7JWBLGacn4aZvMu-FzG8CjqNXUYFJaywcfH7QZBMlf0Z/s1600/IMG_3634.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div></div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-53320232587174604192011-07-29T11:24:00.000+07:002011-07-29T11:24:20.239+07:00Kansas<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
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We've been here in the States together for over a month now and have covered a lot of ground. Since we were delayed in our start, nothing is really being planned and we are winging it. That leads to some complications in logistics but nothing we haven't been able to overcome. So far, it's been a great trip. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fBlmyE1PlhmwqPfuJxroUjpORUo1UWKXsJiOnXWr8cnA3FFz4c0okGOXzURqE_QqeACJfQ2pitGvGNyqk2Q_TBKsZjUGlkwfhAl6rzjd5ohwScCD16RCdSXqPNIxQc23-qT5e767Pbl8/s1600/IMG_3620.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fBlmyE1PlhmwqPfuJxroUjpORUo1UWKXsJiOnXWr8cnA3FFz4c0okGOXzURqE_QqeACJfQ2pitGvGNyqk2Q_TBKsZjUGlkwfhAl6rzjd5ohwScCD16RCdSXqPNIxQc23-qT5e767Pbl8/s320/IMG_3620.jpg" width="320" /></a>It was hot as blazes in Kansas while we were there, officially 112 degrees but the thermometer on the parking lot at the car show we attended read 134. That's hot! It was fun showing Anh the old 'muscle cars' of the sixties in spite of the heat. We also visited Cow Town, a heritage center in Wichita where they have moved many of the old homes and businesses that were in use in the late 1800's to create an authentic look at what the west was like in the old days. They even put on a gunfight on Main Street. Of course, Anh had to share a sasparilla with the gunfighters.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T4Gv3Ax4PuPEd26eP1_OwpwhKkp347mY-4tu-_YcnApujkvq3ZxWji0O5XPI69hmry-F-n91wf0yLyGUmMuyETE7R0J8nfYO3hF6ENaFRwzsXogZkb9QuFCUP6PTb6ShOYzcq-cKQvc_/s1600/IMG_3593.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0T4Gv3Ax4PuPEd26eP1_OwpwhKkp347mY-4tu-_YcnApujkvq3ZxWji0O5XPI69hmry-F-n91wf0yLyGUmMuyETE7R0J8nfYO3hF6ENaFRwzsXogZkb9QuFCUP6PTb6ShOYzcq-cKQvc_/s320/IMG_3593.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-xmSx8ftypYwYLS_rf_PgN1dHlYUPjI54T4tZ28wDNsAwEEInpM8SSY6fJNxpkAWwBKZ3avQG9dzMs6CWnz4wsx8fNv5MnnbgmhHLAYIWGOQmn6IwBJ_eaDA4BJWnMV0OphA_4iVU8-H/s1600/IMG_3603.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhw-xmSx8ftypYwYLS_rf_PgN1dHlYUPjI54T4tZ28wDNsAwEEInpM8SSY6fJNxpkAWwBKZ3avQG9dzMs6CWnz4wsx8fNv5MnnbgmhHLAYIWGOQmn6IwBJ_eaDA4BJWnMV0OphA_4iVU8-H/s320/IMG_3603.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZm3aFDa7bUJtjYSEZBpg7wN4bOI9KnsoznXwtf2XsU1P7MuWe-MWls23cFKp4wn_rxcY2ed4wA4pm5dY1G_zyos8O5RbFn3szFzD7Ewp4hLSDVZ4RdRLRjDjfKLlc5TWTQm8F9W2gMSa/s1600/IMG_3626.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXZm3aFDa7bUJtjYSEZBpg7wN4bOI9KnsoznXwtf2XsU1P7MuWe-MWls23cFKp4wn_rxcY2ed4wA4pm5dY1G_zyos8O5RbFn3szFzD7Ewp4hLSDVZ4RdRLRjDjfKLlc5TWTQm8F9W2gMSa/s320/IMG_3626.jpg" width="320" /></a>The best part of our time in Kansas was spending time with my mother. Even though mom has been having some health problems, we were still able to have some wonderful times together. Anh really enjoyed working in mom's flower garden and puttering around the house. As an added bonus my sister was able to fly in from North Carolina to spend a few days with us and get to meet Anh.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKwJlPqj6qzOyGEt6zvnks2NDrBbaVKl741pKQ_tpyV_yQXn2Eou29n6v4s8OBWQnR7ZkYVbX17gTd6m7Ox2v3fA22nY_CyoQ7JWBLGacn4aZvMu-FzG8CjqNXUYFJaywcfH7QZBMlf0Z/s1600/IMG_3634.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUKwJlPqj6qzOyGEt6zvnks2NDrBbaVKl741pKQ_tpyV_yQXn2Eou29n6v4s8OBWQnR7ZkYVbX17gTd6m7Ox2v3fA22nY_CyoQ7JWBLGacn4aZvMu-FzG8CjqNXUYFJaywcfH7QZBMlf0Z/s320/IMG_3634.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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</div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-35896463487460472122011-07-04T20:59:00.000+07:002011-07-04T20:59:24.639+07:00Back in the USA<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M6wvptn2Pzg6ffctFSrw1C7PkAvPSs6KEqiIBpjoIu2S0gm2wegOMV5UblUb4MsSc3TEF-lSZ92Ab3cYWj6rSgznz5zdTBPxevHDtrdg9WSGB1a5O2qlqebkVAkGKEpYcnj5dTgyBSvc/s1600/IMG_3464.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M6wvptn2Pzg6ffctFSrw1C7PkAvPSs6KEqiIBpjoIu2S0gm2wegOMV5UblUb4MsSc3TEF-lSZ92Ab3cYWj6rSgznz5zdTBPxevHDtrdg9WSGB1a5O2qlqebkVAkGKEpYcnj5dTgyBSvc/s1600/IMG_3464.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-M6wvptn2Pzg6ffctFSrw1C7PkAvPSs6KEqiIBpjoIu2S0gm2wegOMV5UblUb4MsSc3TEF-lSZ92Ab3cYWj6rSgznz5zdTBPxevHDtrdg9WSGB1a5O2qlqebkVAkGKEpYcnj5dTgyBSvc/s320/IMG_3464.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
After over a month of waiting, we finally made it. I had to return to the States a couple of weeks before Anh's visa came through but she finally got and was able to get to Colorado without any problems. When I saw her coming up the stairway at the airport, the smile on her face made all the waiting worthwhile.I met her with flowers, an American flag, and a big kiss. She looked great in her red top and red hat.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DW-_SCgbGQO41zrrJJrf_eO4vBCHRwlxteMPozQrChGaEyEotLSP8NKn_3tpa5kYEL2St7PTMQw55GHAHUFBEHq17kTRHHHPuWXNh1hlAaltCKVLSOODLg83APvJ9fd0tCwWGp1K5RcL/s1600/IMG_3467.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7DW-_SCgbGQO41zrrJJrf_eO4vBCHRwlxteMPozQrChGaEyEotLSP8NKn_3tpa5kYEL2St7PTMQw55GHAHUFBEHq17kTRHHHPuWXNh1hlAaltCKVLSOODLg83APvJ9fd0tCwWGp1K5RcL/s320/IMG_3467.jpg" width="240" /></a>Our first stop was to head to Boulder and drive by my house. We couldn't go inside since I have someone renting the place right now but we were able to see it from the outside. We drove up into the foothills behind my house so that she could see the open space at the base of the Flatirons and look down upon the city. Boulder is beautiful this time of year. They had a lot of snow during the winter and quite a bit of rain in the spring so everything was green and fresh.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgV283jbXTRIx28JsOBiTmig7XPcv-qGyFlJ3EnDgazy11T60-QsjZeWB064nwMm-x3TO0_lsOAxgajmqkB5E_KcqTc6L2c5CdgsPX9bkV0my1Gsc4B7h_xgcZedzCgQh04KBLqDLE9hT/s1600/IMG_3471.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEgV283jbXTRIx28JsOBiTmig7XPcv-qGyFlJ3EnDgazy11T60-QsjZeWB064nwMm-x3TO0_lsOAxgajmqkB5E_KcqTc6L2c5CdgsPX9bkV0my1Gsc4B7h_xgcZedzCgQh04KBLqDLE9hT/s320/IMG_3471.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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The Pearl Street Mall in Boulder is one of my favorite places to hang out. There are plenty of good restaurants and places to have a beer while people watching. We met my good friend Chris and his daughter who had come to Vietnam over Christmas. It kind of felt like old home week to see a lot of the people I haven't seen in over a year. Everyone seemed to like Anh, but why wouldn't they? <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9uPDGgDFDCWzQUqkvPnA_tyV1YEWOJ1Uog6c5q8nBVWr_DOBwcNS4A2UoM22MTiY3Ev6nqSJxE9busBa0sGULxjWcz_TtlRZ8P8Zd2y8bI1IYpkATxKU0U094EK7zm3289UWLInsk9vq/s1600/IMG_3475.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia9uPDGgDFDCWzQUqkvPnA_tyV1YEWOJ1Uog6c5q8nBVWr_DOBwcNS4A2UoM22MTiY3Ev6nqSJxE9busBa0sGULxjWcz_TtlRZ8P8Zd2y8bI1IYpkATxKU0U094EK7zm3289UWLInsk9vq/s320/IMG_3475.jpg" width="320" /></a>We got up early the next day and headed up into the Mountains. There was still a lot of snow in the high country and Anh had never seen snow before. It was a beautiful, sunny day with puffy white clouds and, once we had gotten up into the high country, enough snow to play around in it. We drove over Loveland Pass, the highest all-year road in the US and stood on the Continental divide before driving down the other side to the ski area of Arapahoe Basin. The ski area was still open even though it was late June. We didn't try skiing ourselves because I didn't want any broken legs this early in our trip. <br />
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</div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-18305833927444921692011-06-07T11:14:00.001+07:002011-06-07T11:15:07.339+07:00A Disillusioned American<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">Anh and I have known each other for more than nine years and have been married for over a year. I am sixty-two years old, US citizen, and a veteran. Anh is fifty, a Vietnamese citizen, and business woman. We own property in Vietnam, have our own house, and Anh has a very successful job as a national tour guide. We want to go back to the US so that Anh can finally meet my family, especially my mother who is currently undergoing chemotherapy. Should be no problem, right? Wrong!<br />
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For some undisclosed reason, the US Consulate's office has Anh's visa on hold. We filled out the required forms, we paid the $130 application fee, we flew to Saigon for the interview and were told that she passed but it would be a few days before they could process the visa. That was on May 18, nearly a month ago. When we try to find out what is going on, we find there is no way we can talk with a real person. The telephone number is an automated service that runs you around in circles then hangs up. We have sent three emails to the address given on the website but, we get no response. The consulate's office does not have the decency to let us know what is happening. To go to the office in person is a waste of time and money. They will not let me inside to deal with this matter. They give me a phone number to call. It is the same number that runs in cirlces.<br />
I find it appalling to be treated this way by my government and resent the lack of cooperation I get when trying to get this matter resolved. Why should there be any question of whether or not I can take my wife to my country to meet my family? We have done nothing wrong. Hell, we don't even want to stay in the US. all we want is a few months over there. But it's like complaining at the airport security check. Say anything and you are shoved aside until it's too late to travel. Knowing this, I have tried to be very polite, to the point of grovelling in my correspondence but have been ignored.<br />
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What has happened to my America? Have we become so fearful that we have given up all of our rights and freedoms? Must we be content to be treated like cattle while the man behind the desk sips his coffee and smiles at our discomfort. It's humiliating and shameful. Let's not forget the ideals our country was based upon; the pursuit of life, liberty, and happiness.<br />
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</div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-86039064216455066802011-04-27T11:07:00.000+07:002011-04-27T11:07:38.880+07:00Rest in Peace<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz75jstzj0wg0EzIp6cC6a_5qLJFvNurch7byVLSkLokYAw4LkiK6zmXSyk2YHy9KDVpASWDkIgURA-yFoqcg68c2m4S5rrD8yDe7gZDgFk-g8Uaab1-yF5o447RG7WyJ8BkrpY8eyGMx/s1600/DSC02008.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDz75jstzj0wg0EzIp6cC6a_5qLJFvNurch7byVLSkLokYAw4LkiK6zmXSyk2YHy9KDVpASWDkIgURA-yFoqcg68c2m4S5rrD8yDe7gZDgFk-g8Uaab1-yF5o447RG7WyJ8BkrpY8eyGMx/s320/DSC02008.jpg" width="320" /></a>Though the war between the United States and Vietnam has been over for more than forty years, there are more than a thousand Americans who have not yet returned. But they have not been forgotten. Unprecedented efforts between the US and Vietnam to locate these missing men have resulted in finding nearly half of these missing and the search continues to this day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Four black boxes, four silver caskets, four folded flags. It was a solemn affair on the tarmac at Da Nang airport as the remains of American servicemen were prepared for the long flight back to the United States.Anh and I were invited by JPAC (Joint Prisoner of War, Missing in Action Accountability Command) to attend a repatriation ceremony on April 9th. I was impressed by the professionalism that was shown by the team in the handling of the remains. It was indeed an honor to be a part of this event.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqADy8YBJbYWln0AxnzQqML0x2fVmsKvoRyjfdXPFBgS591oB0xkgTp7aSVaArP9VW3Z1vkFCAyO_UZXRivBQE0T4Kn-7H8Vq7Priz1Ti7NUV0k6qSNuhLdeyby1ziuu6eT-FoQpS8fCEk/s1600/DSC01984.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br />
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One by one, black wooden boxes containing the remains were placed in individual coffins which were then draped with an American flag before being carried to the waiting C-130 transport plane. Though the remains often consist of no more than a single tooth or bone fragment, they are handled with all the dignity and respect deserved by those who have given their all for their country.No names were read or personal tributes offered. The identity of those found must first be confirmed by the forensic team in Hawaii before any names will be released. It's been a long time coming for these men and their families. Hopefully, they can now find peace.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfH07NPjXRwDddDGqoQG0_nGsAiVeqg2eMj2ALIjN91IrI5DJwpcMJ5nccX6sOR1kN3RzYo-_xg3edShIfhNHvDJq5CBFKNnvkHIv4Fkl-hVibiKgxnH3_908YTLvKyj58p3i0iE8uncG/s1600/DSC02022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcfH07NPjXRwDddDGqoQG0_nGsAiVeqg2eMj2ALIjN91IrI5DJwpcMJ5nccX6sOR1kN3RzYo-_xg3edShIfhNHvDJq5CBFKNnvkHIv4Fkl-hVibiKgxnH3_908YTLvKyj58p3i0iE8uncG/s320/DSC02022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>"Pete" Peterson, the first American Ambassador to Vietnam after the war and former POW was present at the ceremony. Anh and I have had the pleasure to get to know Mr. Peterson and his wife, Vi over the past few years and had dinner with them after the ceremony.<br />
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</div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-43290257116929658772011-04-27T07:04:00.000+07:002011-04-27T07:04:53.186+07:00Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEtonugTAxovDAXH7rlQepg2dm1qQnKiLJ7Z2YiI-CIe-cYLHUAYhyphenhyphenXkosuQYl5BtVmQZt3QqpUs8J-zSp5KwaFfxxt1HKNNOL1aVVWtpt1mampqOEjRLDykdfmaf_VZfc7FMYzdJhmmDI/s1600/IMG_1109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8r_XMYlOlYSF3qzw8tpE-VqryGe7iw8KSkpe1BNC4gB3IVieDWwyjYQxuoZ-ZTD6tCcMmYFsWlzpEHjuCsCAPmle7xAf2iglli3yixTSuM_iE_SwqbnG5Z2OG3GtlC6-mkFuczFHHnmz/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDwsxov6eqndcJl4bTxKzECqpjAuBc_sUVQIzN1LtG7h98f_yxzR0wNeAxfDucFm80I6v47CL2PHrez9625rNEVq7dQMS2bmg-O-ALKND4FP4P4tDrPVgg4a3iexdx9oxKmvvPhGNKrp_g/s1600/IMG_1120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI8r_XMYlOlYSF3qzw8tpE-VqryGe7iw8KSkpe1BNC4gB3IVieDWwyjYQxuoZ-ZTD6tCcMmYFsWlzpEHjuCsCAPmle7xAf2iglli3yixTSuM_iE_SwqbnG5Z2OG3GtlC6-mkFuczFHHnmz/s1600/IMG_1222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif0brf9tCZVBWBxOqiAH5Mku4AheIYSVvI7RqvBrKidswmoLGdIjXIr28S3rwHFUXm9lQLVPhf6yZHMXaJct77xvXke4BnvqdB_aj6Wppp9jkR6E1D2qLEeAXph3ot2rJc1ZIEFnOXBLmP/s1600/IMG_1107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2t1t3FWAAlRm4SJKJ1pYnlkQmfmhid1qmHStmI7LeyLUesvtv5nYJQV-EitR7KD1hVnp0qgW99jGZ7VbabfiOf01ZeJD_Km1eN7PUB_YdgL0nKDyzD_PVF73_L_JO_DTDj1JFNYmYzAZ6/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jyFGi-b23GYe2EjnXfTrZk1CdsuX8yrc8Qp3qfOcNC0KVlk5U_E_LdvbxaiRjAfuqPqlLc0pssytVgQQwMXyDU88MN9kc1GI-5hzekOWYqZcmp7ZrXOIxcB7ePZMf_E7Dqdvo6cO7GIS/s1600/IMG_1028.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jyFGi-b23GYe2EjnXfTrZk1CdsuX8yrc8Qp3qfOcNC0KVlk5U_E_LdvbxaiRjAfuqPqlLc0pssytVgQQwMXyDU88MN9kc1GI-5hzekOWYqZcmp7ZrXOIxcB7ePZMf_E7Dqdvo6cO7GIS/s320/IMG_1028.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> During the beginning of the Tet holiday, Anh and I flew to Bangkok to join up with our friends John and Caroline and Nikki to set off on our adventure through northern Thailand and Laos. I had never spent any time up in the northern part of Thailand before and was anxious to see it since I've heard so many great stories about it.Our first stop was Chiang Rai, a northern town in Thailand.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFEPnTf3h9SfjjWaWE4UIfGZkDukPgRjlVi-sQesL8ZwGWLcvL7QO0r7tGsKBIDi4w3df_6rUNrilIhnsBDHgUdC2ID_u0-_7Zmc66-P0Vvismssm4nzSD5CAiUqbXycjWkmHzj6xX0VU/s1600/IMG_1045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdFEPnTf3h9SfjjWaWE4UIfGZkDukPgRjlVi-sQesL8ZwGWLcvL7QO0r7tGsKBIDi4w3df_6rUNrilIhnsBDHgUdC2ID_u0-_7Zmc66-P0Vvismssm4nzSD5CAiUqbXycjWkmHzj6xX0VU/s320/IMG_1045.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> The White Temple is located outside of Chiang Rai and is something that should not be missed if passing through this part of Thailan. The ornate temple is all in white and silver and looks almost like something you would find in a frozen landscape. I can't remember the whole story about this place but do know it is still a work in progress. A Thai artist has come up with the concept and gets most of his funding through donations. <br />
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The Karen people come from Burma but have fled across the border into Thailand to seek refuge from the heavy-handed Burmese government. They live in simple mountain villages and make their living today mostly from tourists that come through and buy their handmade jewelry and clothing.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUYScpD771LptNyfzLRKCqyLRoyOxtgo6GmB3iw32ouPJve_uA_C8vlv8cOao5Y-7N9NyeBGRGtVueAnxWEiTXykca03jJDirTn5QTTd8qE10QUwr50mWdivHvdftjnxWnWFE1gmtofW6/s1600/IMG_1388.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcUYScpD771LptNyfzLRKCqyLRoyOxtgo6GmB3iw32ouPJve_uA_C8vlv8cOao5Y-7N9NyeBGRGtVueAnxWEiTXykca03jJDirTn5QTTd8qE10QUwr50mWdivHvdftjnxWnWFE1gmtofW6/s320/IMG_1388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-87970158740585461142011-01-18T10:59:00.001+07:002011-01-18T15:38:15.289+07:00Doc Smith and Hoa<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4TfbCZZrG-xkvWuBnN3JvS3ryz70Ow5SeIcEWnSCRUgkbb6COj_APPe0n5xUx_QsU6fyx8vhKeuVDjhBEzD8zqizf50DwF0FlxxMGCmZvqUBSaeE0TgFYztVsovqTGjpVKfvhrUJXQ2P/s1600/Hoa-place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm4TfbCZZrG-xkvWuBnN3JvS3ryz70Ow5SeIcEWnSCRUgkbb6COj_APPe0n5xUx_QsU6fyx8vhKeuVDjhBEzD8zqizf50DwF0FlxxMGCmZvqUBSaeE0TgFYztVsovqTGjpVKfvhrUJXQ2P/s320/Hoa-place.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFKFePRKOAp0yE1kKBFjDbRGUBJmMtd-8WXaNHVJuv7ESQCopF2M7QzR90ibGWwkrvvYUi2hty73xPDtjn4-kteOD8TgybsyfVbY4JpR5SxiLBn_AHUdMDq_Y_ovHweqKhX8zBII09UjZ/s1600/Hill65.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhFKFePRKOAp0yE1kKBFjDbRGUBJmMtd-8WXaNHVJuv7ESQCopF2M7QzR90ibGWwkrvvYUi2hty73xPDtjn4-kteOD8TgybsyfVbY4JpR5SxiLBn_AHUdMDq_Y_ovHweqKhX8zBII09UjZ/s320/Hill65.jpg" width="320" /></a>In 1967 Glenn Smith was a Corpsman working with Marine CAP Unit Charlie 2-2-4 in the small village of Dai Loc, just south of Da Dang. A CAP unit (Combined Action Program)consisted of a small group of Marines assigned to live in a village and help pacify and protect the people in the area. As a result, they often got to know the local people quite well. While Glenn spent most of his time on the Marine base located on Hill 65 just outside of Dai Loc, he would often go down to the village to help the villagers and the Marines.<br />
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Hoa was a young boy of about ten when Doc Smith arrived in his village. Though only a young boy, Hoa idolized the Marines and hung out with them every day. He polished their boots, cleaned their weapons, and often slept in the bunkers with them. He considered himself a Marine. Today, Hoa's guesthouse near Marble Mountain has become almost a legend to the backpackers that pass through the Da Nang area. His English and his "take it easy" attitude have made him loved and respected by most who have gotten to know him. He has become a very dear friend of mine.<br />
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One cannot spend much time around Hoa without hearing of Charlie 2-2-4 and the days of the war. He often speaks of the Marines who lived in his village and became such a big part of his life. I decided one day to do a little research on C-2-2-4 and came across an email address for Glenn Smith. When I asked Glenn if he knew or remembered a boy named Hoa, Glenn replied immediately that he did indeed remember him. He even had photographs of the two of them together.This initial contact resulted in Glenn coming back to Vietnam, something he had often considered but never acted upon. Hoa and Glenn got back together after forty three years.<br />
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The death of Marine Sgt. Flynn was an event that both Hoa and Glenn remembered very well. Glenn was the Corpsman who retrieved Flynn's body after he was shot while trying to cross the river. Hoa thought of Sgt. Flynn as almost a father figure. Before coming back to Vietnam, Glenn had some dogtags made for Sgt. Flynn and wanted to put them in the river close to where he was killed. We went back to the scene and had to walk across a muddy flood plain to get to the river. Hoa probably doesn't weigh a hundred pounds and skirted over the mud like a waterbug. Glenn, on the other hand, weighs more than two hundred pounds and sunk into the sucking mud up to his knees. As Glenn was trying to retrieve his shoe that had been pulled off by the muck, Hoa turned to him and said, "Glenn, walk lightly."BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-44545794537518801242011-01-10T15:15:00.000+07:002011-01-10T15:15:23.699+07:00December<div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWJcbfzkKg6hvDO2sbRW7m93ExaDdALNG1Xt1dqBOojDTt08kXPxxwxTDg6De987WJnbD27GOGGkjQHf4JCQw8y_sLPkxrH7tDwr7FdgxrOk-hL3TFy5bYFC_kT-I5HuYLgiwDbYAf9lN/s1600/IMG_2380.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghWJcbfzkKg6hvDO2sbRW7m93ExaDdALNG1Xt1dqBOojDTt08kXPxxwxTDg6De987WJnbD27GOGGkjQHf4JCQw8y_sLPkxrH7tDwr7FdgxrOk-hL3TFy5bYFC_kT-I5HuYLgiwDbYAf9lN/s320/IMG_2380.jpg" width="320" /></a>It's hard to believe that another year has begun. The month of December flew by us.We had some friends, Al and Carol Chesson,come over for their second tour over here. They were on the first trip I led with Anh as my guide over here in 2002. We tried to get a look at places they weren't able to see the first time. We tried to get back up into the DMZ again where Al and I served, but the rain was coming down in buckets. We spent the night in Khe Sanh but had to get out of there early in the morning to avoid becoming stuck by mudslides across Highway 9. </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHXuEPmpMO80MnUIcKpp407OuEDFW0DjXIj7B8rSNzRHe936czS0J0aIJP2LEpCa5O0aY-DV0ZrvmwYHESqmhyphenhyphencoBZgH6xF5lIiotALLA2iNmr5B5MLJbZTFcZokT-pd1ZJBnwIp_0lsS/s1600/IMG_2385.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoHXuEPmpMO80MnUIcKpp407OuEDFW0DjXIj7B8rSNzRHe936czS0J0aIJP2LEpCa5O0aY-DV0ZrvmwYHESqmhyphenhyphencoBZgH6xF5lIiotALLA2iNmr5B5MLJbZTFcZokT-pd1ZJBnwIp_0lsS/s320/IMG_2385.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;">We caught the train to Ninh Binh south of Hanoi and stayed for a few nights to go up the river on small boats. It's magnificent there. The landscape is similar to Ha Long Bay but on dry land.</div> <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGdoaTdCE6DDBS0F8NYd_y3xLJkTsc25aDIHNOkZ286aBoFdgmB0-vez4h65NTlQfjmuP_cQekBhveNY9pW0M9YWNJk5jQowFO8GXCS_bDeckimCyq4vv7kjD1wNtcqLdtYRY6m3-rIpI/s1600/IMG_2353.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHGdoaTdCE6DDBS0F8NYd_y3xLJkTsc25aDIHNOkZ286aBoFdgmB0-vez4h65NTlQfjmuP_cQekBhveNY9pW0M9YWNJk5jQowFO8GXCS_bDeckimCyq4vv7kjD1wNtcqLdtYRY6m3-rIpI/s320/IMG_2353.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L7LdWrRwsrXYJuT4ReUzTMqlMcTEiGZJDzyBhpoSZiiaDQtM_Ai91SIAqX4namS2cE03PzImRHRVeEjVU50hKzbON1h2GLbhFni5CHx43uKnIMnuHvZyQtxwX30BvP23wKo3I9DSSp-y/s1600/IMG_2533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6L7LdWrRwsrXYJuT4ReUzTMqlMcTEiGZJDzyBhpoSZiiaDQtM_Ai91SIAqX4namS2cE03PzImRHRVeEjVU50hKzbON1h2GLbhFni5CHx43uKnIMnuHvZyQtxwX30BvP23wKo3I9DSSp-y/s320/IMG_2533.jpg" width="320" /></a><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkCcLbJRV6iThUD83wwXuxUcr29NjhYZ32STQcxI50tl1WfMJQc7Wh8U91Su3TZUlQSLKzd0BpOpLeEucDi6bi0FncI2SvcsJa_96DM6Ady4l7pLOvg5vShid15USbapX5jCtK2LXJZuAc/s320/IMG_2499.jpg" width="240" /><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-ZXilCxe8fpNfpIa9SfqALmmyzRDzroxKOCq3QhkKQ__BWKEByN8AcHyt3grXt7geFNPDcPosro_BlbQ0bKDWTL88GMk5wGlJhMilnVQNwiP6zw5P19HlbVfhhrVBgMa6xx1mgiCPWJt/s1600/1394.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL-ZXilCxe8fpNfpIa9SfqALmmyzRDzroxKOCq3QhkKQ__BWKEByN8AcHyt3grXt7geFNPDcPosro_BlbQ0bKDWTL88GMk5wGlJhMilnVQNwiP6zw5P19HlbVfhhrVBgMa6xx1mgiCPWJt/s320/1394.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>After that, we went to Hanoi to pick up Glenn. Glenn served as a Corpsman and was on his first trip back to Vietnam since the war. We all loaded up in a van the next morning and headed off to Ha Long Bay. I don't know how many times I've seen the Bay but I am always in awe of it. To spend the night on a boat in Ha Long Bay is an experience that never gets old.BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-70659682446802222382010-12-06T06:08:00.022+07:002010-12-06T10:29:59.199+07:00November 9-10, 2010<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSVEr60iJMzf1XJlzXs4Unq_ab_ZfOx6vrFhUFmvjebhanXIq16mOMqhLy_vx_NOPzpbyFt887wvbh3YGYhUJVPVICp3j9dAlVuIRHwkzmLW0Vgcw5pGs3_ho0qvlI0DJiuuPLd9jmiiI/s1600/4.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOSVEr60iJMzf1XJlzXs4Unq_ab_ZfOx6vrFhUFmvjebhanXIq16mOMqhLy_vx_NOPzpbyFt887wvbh3YGYhUJVPVICp3j9dAlVuIRHwkzmLW0Vgcw5pGs3_ho0qvlI0DJiuuPLd9jmiiI/s400/4.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">November has been a busy month for us. To start it off, Anh and I got married. Actually, we got 'officially' married in March but didn't have the party until November ninth. You aren't considered really married until you have the celebration with family and friends. We had friends from the US come over and also some American friends who live in Bangkok come for the occasion. This plus a number of our Vietnamese and foreign friends living in Da Nang made for a great wedding party. </div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyKcy41qF3WzUHqGzvM9EpPkkMnzq3TrzB8LIUsVhaIzsmDo6LcwPmZlYEBivF8UqNRg0HTv9R5C76j5VZYfvmA1pgJpcg0Rycs4TvftaXcQ1Pfj5MTn4Qs-Mst9rpnR5BdPxRgMA2JWP/s1600/3.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyKcy41qF3WzUHqGzvM9EpPkkMnzq3TrzB8LIUsVhaIzsmDo6LcwPmZlYEBivF8UqNRg0HTv9R5C76j5VZYfvmA1pgJpcg0Rycs4TvftaXcQ1Pfj5MTn4Qs-Mst9rpnR5BdPxRgMA2JWP/s400/3.jpg" width="267" /></a><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUyKcy41qF3WzUHqGzvM9EpPkkMnzq3TrzB8LIUsVhaIzsmDo6LcwPmZlYEBivF8UqNRg0HTv9R5C76j5VZYfvmA1pgJpcg0Rycs4TvftaXcQ1Pfj5MTn4Qs-Mst9rpnR5BdPxRgMA2JWP/s1600/3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</a></div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-7855746800927696462010-09-16T10:49:00.010+07:002010-09-18T07:15:40.196+07:00Vietnam:Beyond WarSeveral years ago I published a book titled <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Vietnam: A Second Look.</span> It is a photo book about my thoughts and feelings as a veteran returning to Vietnam for another look at the places where I had been during the war. Well, I've been working on a new one and it's starting to shape up. My new book is titled <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">Vietnam: Beyond War</span> and will be a collection of thoughts and photographs on what it's been like to live in Vietnam. Though it is still far from being finished, here is a preview of what this new book should look like. You can click on the images to get a larger view of them.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkygx_SzGTI5bp15vS7yHteY5EmYv0Q9705I6_fRjEU9U8p-CsWXVJkW7L2-9iAFq0XxggfRMO4vGXFOAV3n_9yez9xpcT6AAKENwZd1IkQSSeNk0ZOHAzZi75eou3LmISGmvCbsxoutUD/s1600/Untitled-2.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 249px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkygx_SzGTI5bp15vS7yHteY5EmYv0Q9705I6_fRjEU9U8p-CsWXVJkW7L2-9iAFq0XxggfRMO4vGXFOAV3n_9yez9xpcT6AAKENwZd1IkQSSeNk0ZOHAzZi75eou3LmISGmvCbsxoutUD/s320/Untitled-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517161180794790674" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS56J_92mMdLvvji_O7el6Ep-fZj5whCCJXDRjRK5fYRTeuC1MJHl-YMgf-6FagjRTNEWSFGaPqLngyZ5dGEXcNXOdVXVv1LFS4PFx1UXc2o5eQgp5fibIhXkOBevXN64Uw8Tkr4MR7p9E/s1600/Untitled-1a.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS56J_92mMdLvvji_O7el6Ep-fZj5whCCJXDRjRK5fYRTeuC1MJHl-YMgf-6FagjRTNEWSFGaPqLngyZ5dGEXcNXOdVXVv1LFS4PFx1UXc2o5eQgp5fibIhXkOBevXN64Uw8Tkr4MR7p9E/s320/Untitled-1a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517163870097973922" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIYmUn_Gm7Aojm8u_7h5HCmD0N0QpHODjVFQwre7-68UL9k1f0pt2HYoUAGGferFlTyeXxoVjz1S8FiFjOggLxW856RBolfZbulmZjIDY_naA_HMWaVVt40ruN43U6JI4uO-0GSLJhFNO/s1600/Untitled-3.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLIYmUn_Gm7Aojm8u_7h5HCmD0N0QpHODjVFQwre7-68UL9k1f0pt2HYoUAGGferFlTyeXxoVjz1S8FiFjOggLxW856RBolfZbulmZjIDY_naA_HMWaVVt40ruN43U6JI4uO-0GSLJhFNO/s320/Untitled-3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517164164555263970" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIg0JLaPGFkA2I1M1GoGQ0pHc6b-7w9A6ezIXrlQgU999e7MMrvfSDw6CT-Rdu8hz4M3iqZCaTub500i2WNKLMW78QK3IDuSy4E5rSG7upqvJRmG-MNzJ9u70eH4qFEE6iPZsiBckTECJ/s1600/Untitled-9.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPIg0JLaPGFkA2I1M1GoGQ0pHc6b-7w9A6ezIXrlQgU999e7MMrvfSDw6CT-Rdu8hz4M3iqZCaTub500i2WNKLMW78QK3IDuSy4E5rSG7upqvJRmG-MNzJ9u70eH4qFEE6iPZsiBckTECJ/s320/Untitled-9.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517156477782637522" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyChiZdZqdpeH5P1O9b849Aey9gEG5xzLHFWVX_0cZzgm3nc93ccaJ-J3N1GNfRNB9zUV9ShwfnK0ycvoJzmfoXwR4Utbh8eIwxWx7MyPVZk72XXTbTw3KI-drqu9qH2y-sgAmaK77RHN/s1600/Untitled-10.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCyChiZdZqdpeH5P1O9b849Aey9gEG5xzLHFWVX_0cZzgm3nc93ccaJ-J3N1GNfRNB9zUV9ShwfnK0ycvoJzmfoXwR4Utbh8eIwxWx7MyPVZk72XXTbTw3KI-drqu9qH2y-sgAmaK77RHN/s320/Untitled-10.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517156687837203202" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbti_l0SF1IcUB1MQP1T_oaScSNXEwbd6cIupWweA1N6TTAFu984ozFFg-6Rji28O1HtZxtCGgPEgu4NMJ5k0NyO8geBvbb_Wjd4jZl0OxPmMVwd5q-gyZvslmec457rTF0H0OWrBj67o/s1600/Untitled-1.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrbti_l0SF1IcUB1MQP1T_oaScSNXEwbd6cIupWweA1N6TTAFu984ozFFg-6Rji28O1HtZxtCGgPEgu4NMJ5k0NyO8geBvbb_Wjd4jZl0OxPmMVwd5q-gyZvslmec457rTF0H0OWrBj67o/s320/Untitled-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517157041067852034" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9eG9d6dVUuQBbo0ufGBk9kBlSOcHtO6DVWrmR2PniRhoA1sxjmxTdXQ4nAZHi4kxkxooA0RAM9E9m7GJhEehnqvWX67ZwDI5XcYvO3o9iaMkxhyYJf0zX28YU-UIeWlIpmO80TqziEVZ/s1600/Untitled-7.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp9eG9d6dVUuQBbo0ufGBk9kBlSOcHtO6DVWrmR2PniRhoA1sxjmxTdXQ4nAZHi4kxkxooA0RAM9E9m7GJhEehnqvWX67ZwDI5XcYvO3o9iaMkxhyYJf0zX28YU-UIeWlIpmO80TqziEVZ/s320/Untitled-7.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517157408995559794" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXxALvJWpe7VhCCjnB1tXW-kfobJ3t6eQQvADH21u9-cEfjZrWuveahQhzvAVzWm0yTn_v9lom3fnK2tORmP9yYPlTFus_t3PyRmTb4NnqiQ4XkmtpZb39_-IqDMFsrC5tof38n_x8Ip9/s1600/Untitled-4.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXxALvJWpe7VhCCjnB1tXW-kfobJ3t6eQQvADH21u9-cEfjZrWuveahQhzvAVzWm0yTn_v9lom3fnK2tORmP9yYPlTFus_t3PyRmTb4NnqiQ4XkmtpZb39_-IqDMFsrC5tof38n_x8Ip9/s320/Untitled-4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517167976850789666" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3KtbdmPT_65o1nMqdA81lRTsDT7wtmKyZUz-68ZbeXLzB6iTdCW-UvbbygTlsYEoODh8XZnfmNaiD1YmkFYX89ngMqosPnlmW8TTc9P3w_cSSShdjAA4qnznQO3j6dyxgFIEDNh-s3YU/s1600/Untitled-12.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp3KtbdmPT_65o1nMqdA81lRTsDT7wtmKyZUz-68ZbeXLzB6iTdCW-UvbbygTlsYEoODh8XZnfmNaiD1YmkFYX89ngMqosPnlmW8TTc9P3w_cSSShdjAA4qnznQO3j6dyxgFIEDNh-s3YU/s320/Untitled-12.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517166266852556194" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8LCINyrX7t_m_C4TRr52IbvtvTMt2IS31qWEWuGSV2DVf5EE8mXdHOXD8p9pgR5jCUZo_HqotyePkp6yV_f_TwfQPjxC_lKTbcZRYgY5leaCTdHb3Ji_mVAh4MVfWlE0DWsLM4m5FL6lW/s1600/Untitled-11.jpg"><img style="float: left; 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margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgto-FS0yaHrBkpXEHxBt-l6eULBxhI8FPg7fiqZIJkPMcST9gMSCLT-qgvUqACAR7e7w-HnBq9X5onYU4FJaDfo7xS2A-Khrt3dyztqNOHUOZRyMotmQhcbGs-V2wsIY7jpOyXHoWZGQYH/s320/Untitled-16.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517355217107800930" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj88NcnVYvsuG96S-NEfGyweT4aAhGNxHEr8jUaXSyHjsW-kN1d33h-yuN-kJPQ_1tGJE9Gf-RTnpVJB3CzzIzbSufB2ShtUiWhoSrRpAcGAH0cE4b2FYjBryNd79W1y6lJVhyphenhyphenJgQjdx4/s1600/Untitled-18.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 274px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFj88NcnVYvsuG96S-NEfGyweT4aAhGNxHEr8jUaXSyHjsW-kN1d33h-yuN-kJPQ_1tGJE9Gf-RTnpVJB3CzzIzbSufB2ShtUiWhoSrRpAcGAH0cE4b2FYjBryNd79W1y6lJVhyphenhyphenJgQjdx4/s320/Untitled-18.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517354823393823954" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3ZZKct6OX1Ug9U9FevAPZX0zEWC1CSTUfUJBy2r4SiRXv8Ss4RdVhagjXaz63RhSblt2og2Y01EPXVgzQynpf1gyGH1FYueFzsdGzRfYWcG_Vwcn0_9cr135UmlrhuqrITLclYRPgw_o/s1600/Untitled-19.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 275px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi3ZZKct6OX1Ug9U9FevAPZX0zEWC1CSTUfUJBy2r4SiRXv8Ss4RdVhagjXaz63RhSblt2og2Y01EPXVgzQynpf1gyGH1FYueFzsdGzRfYWcG_Vwcn0_9cr135UmlrhuqrITLclYRPgw_o/s320/Untitled-19.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5517357866180691234" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxBPF9gwuuR9VVo0GosWrHCM_C3z_wjEQs58-lDEI-h18Pl25GBHb-RQGM4Ek9U6ZAHBaA6nNh6NQixTJ4lr3Jzc_KzH_cwxYu_FGxbswt6U4FS2skBS434KKP3PlG7lD1db8PXuOUmz6/s1600/Untitled-15.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbxBPF9gwuuR9VVo0GosWrHCM_C3z_wjEQs58-lDEI-h18Pl25GBHb-RQGM4Ek9U6ZAHBaA6nNh6NQixTJ4lr3Jzc_KzH_cwxYu_FGxbswt6U4FS2skBS434KKP3PlG7lD1db8PXuOUmz6/s1600/Untitled-15.jpg"><br /></a>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-64486969803004353562010-09-10T09:23:00.000+07:002010-09-10T09:25:21.688+07:00Back in TownI've been a pretty busy guy for the past several months so I have neglected to post anything new on my blog for a while. I guess it's time to get caught up on things.<br /><br />First and foremost on the list is I got married! Yep, that's right! I married Anh on March 31 of this year and we are happy as can be. We haven't had time to celebrate with a wedding party yet put are trying to get that set up now. Looks like it could be in November when many of our friends are back in country. I will keep you posted.<br /><br />I had to return to the US the first of July and was there for six weeks getting my house in Colorado ready to rent. It looks like I may be in Vietnam for a while but don't want to sell my home in the States. It's not a good time to sell right now and besides, I love my house there. While I was 'home' I took time to go to Kansas and visit my mother then went to Charleston, S.C. for my Marine Reunion. Those things are always a hoot. It worked out well because my sister and her husband live in North Carolina, which is not too far from Charleston, so I drove up to see them as well. All in all, it was a busy time but very much worth it.<br /><br />I am back in Da Nang, Vietnam now and trying to get acclimatized to the food, weather, pace of life, and married life. It is good! Da Nang seemed to change so much just in the time I was away. There is so much building and energy going on over here that things change on a daily basis.<br /><br />Anh and I are gearing up for what looks to be a busy next few months. We have several tours scheduled and several friends coming over to visit. Some of my kids may even get over here before Christmas. I can't wait to introduce them to Anh.<br /><br />I haven't been taking many photos lately but will try to get some new pictures up soon.BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-80282975709160837832010-04-14T06:38:00.014+07:002010-04-17T06:26:41.086+07:00Ho Chi Minh Trail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97ZhkCgo_JudX4tbXGpeEExEJ-CrsSKezDEEc3_s96-TvcegOi6tywdv877TZNkK00WYrMnHMzIMKZn6sb9Ka_eiXemu47IWmM0mTFtK0W7awRbRmQvJ2nqmWeuXLTuiFUVy0z0DgsTJw/s1600/Map.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg97ZhkCgo_JudX4tbXGpeEExEJ-CrsSKezDEEc3_s96-TvcegOi6tywdv877TZNkK00WYrMnHMzIMKZn6sb9Ka_eiXemu47IWmM0mTFtK0W7awRbRmQvJ2nqmWeuXLTuiFUVy0z0DgsTJw/s400/Map.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460287526784645218" border="0" /></a>Once a network of supply routes for war and destruction, the Ho Chi Minh Trail today offers one of Vietnam's most beautiful experiences. This magnificent road, running the length of the country from the Chinese border to the Delta, winds through the mountains and valleys along the Cambodian and Laos borders. Though the road is surfaced and wide enough for cars and small trucks, only a few vehicles travel this route. It is a motorcyclist's dream.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueliVRcGiBGqxaqv_onvpPJL1CFhqYDBD50FiWGGAyV-hX9GzTIvju9ZlikzoRLNQiBOodhdcN7QlGhkAm5XUUWhTHxQKThDIvRYicVpPgRQTKza-0YUDdrU8qml2YbQFTUQyiBaobXDf/s1600/IMG_0483.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueliVRcGiBGqxaqv_onvpPJL1CFhqYDBD50FiWGGAyV-hX9GzTIvju9ZlikzoRLNQiBOodhdcN7QlGhkAm5XUUWhTHxQKThDIvRYicVpPgRQTKza-0YUDdrU8qml2YbQFTUQyiBaobXDf/s320/IMG_0483.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460319366979337826" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />It takes about twenty minutes to get through the traffic and chaos of the populated cities before you head west across the rice fields and into the mountains. The roads are unmarked and there are very few places where English is spoken. But for those who have a sense of adventure, it is an experience to remember.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmVJd-TtnK2mHjdjdX8o812bn-vbU1AAMmv7IrtrhzccdEcXwCIMBYuOht5IfJVoNAbdmypWLNxoDOfptPHt5GjXW1GxHbzRau4ymE1NwruSVYhVYYjIWkZ6V7-YtqgMuEla9gBzvIPGJ/s1600/IMG_0191.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtmVJd-TtnK2mHjdjdX8o812bn-vbU1AAMmv7IrtrhzccdEcXwCIMBYuOht5IfJVoNAbdmypWLNxoDOfptPHt5GjXW1GxHbzRau4ymE1NwruSVYhVYYjIWkZ6V7-YtqgMuEla9gBzvIPGJ/s320/IMG_0191.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460318513998623394" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskROij9BBk4G4r2PSTOzkvO7Qlc5cvoAmaPLQTh4GChyphenhyphenG0GEWl9CKmyF2QWjjV4A_wSXQ9RwLiN7OQvZmuc2OnSqL9ePwr8onQre46nOn1iixjWC0lQ_nVfeoXz4wYXJBxm5ogM2n8bdR/s1600/IMG_0935.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgskROij9BBk4G4r2PSTOzkvO7Qlc5cvoAmaPLQTh4GChyphenhyphenG0GEWl9CKmyF2QWjjV4A_wSXQ9RwLiN7OQvZmuc2OnSqL9ePwr8onQre46nOn1iixjWC0lQ_nVfeoXz4wYXJBxm5ogM2n8bdR/s320/IMG_0935.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460319898496622210" border="0" /></a>I have traveled the trail between Da Nang and Hue at least six times now (all the way to Khe Sanh a couple of times) and am still in awe of the beauty and wonder of it all. It's a four day trip through the mountains and jungles, skirting the Laos border, offering a unique view of the mountain people and their way of life.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NzRTdtEhyi8nwnTI6Ul5sOjE5IbCeFJ2sMX03wZQ6vauCecvedJxbmApcGoxAOMFzzOGzfaJCIM91xk_O2MXUd3rAQ6sIcRl_0mkhQ84XKCJdgRMO9TyfpMoTIOQTJhbDVhYqZUVK6Pl/s1600/IMG_0202.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2NzRTdtEhyi8nwnTI6Ul5sOjE5IbCeFJ2sMX03wZQ6vauCecvedJxbmApcGoxAOMFzzOGzfaJCIM91xk_O2MXUd3rAQ6sIcRl_0mkhQ84XKCJdgRMO9TyfpMoTIOQTJhbDVhYqZUVK6Pl/s320/IMG_0202.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460288072413059538" border="0" /></a>There always seem to be magic moments that come along when you least expect them. On one trip, we passed by an old veteran with one arm who was needing a ride to the next village. Of course, we couldn't pass him by so we gave him a lift and had a couple of beers with him once we reached a local watering hole.<br /><br />I've started working for an outfit that will guide you through the trail, either driving a vintage, Russian Minsk bike or riding on the back of an experienced driver's bike. I usually take my own bike for the long trips. I like it because it has more padding in the seat. Of course, I wear a helmet and proper riding attire on the road, not as shown.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxJgb8mvdWCAXi_rbwkHU8YVWrgM9tjgj8LaQmlJ6dvFA4UYJ53wXWyr05hztzd2EoyX76ad0lODE0e7oN7rvipasXlZgvJLwAb5m-iyHUNJdtapypt5RAa1ZdoKNLEkixHexYRez3-FkR/s1600/Map.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS31-NiDu184ReabxwBBzJpJgn6w3H4SLNc0K0kPlSmcZ751p0bKLRx6_U2lCTFXPawhVkhKRMXdYZOoVUrqe1RZ6P6jsQws1YRIDeKR1U6SLYUhmXpEcUGLcUAEv5FA3sAXSxrKc5IDO/s1600/IMG_1177.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTS31-NiDu184ReabxwBBzJpJgn6w3H4SLNc0K0kPlSmcZ751p0bKLRx6_U2lCTFXPawhVkhKRMXdYZOoVUrqe1RZ6P6jsQws1YRIDeKR1U6SLYUhmXpEcUGLcUAEv5FA3sAXSxrKc5IDO/s320/IMG_1177.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460879699454025490" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eo2nwGRhtRFpEcLq51RmF4y5bwQgI6j5T5VTVPU3e__XY71U3b3_gSq-VzI-uathiZbV7rwcgYKSEaTQbcUH1BHrpujKpLKK3Dk7LBaJbOcWAYbnq-iMA1avoGQUgc64CYd3Ec7IlgWO/s1600/IMG_0162.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8eo2nwGRhtRFpEcLq51RmF4y5bwQgI6j5T5VTVPU3e__XY71U3b3_gSq-VzI-uathiZbV7rwcgYKSEaTQbcUH1BHrpujKpLKK3Dk7LBaJbOcWAYbnq-iMA1avoGQUgc64CYd3Ec7IlgWO/s320/IMG_0162.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459772646150277266" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7bM1ijuFuNZIH2nEwCyVXIqsmv7JDxCK6Hn84k4cFXZ_DeyirQQCtrJ4ON1uEAOZB2mI77MxvsBdE42ZtB-fl2_68TMCYzlSEeZG7cCXfsw7jdu8pULoTIkuleR0RLEHpohyphenhyphen4eOYkQAS/s1600/swim.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 229px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_7bM1ijuFuNZIH2nEwCyVXIqsmv7JDxCK6Hn84k4cFXZ_DeyirQQCtrJ4ON1uEAOZB2mI77MxvsBdE42ZtB-fl2_68TMCYzlSEeZG7cCXfsw7jdu8pULoTIkuleR0RLEHpohyphenhyphen4eOYkQAS/s320/swim.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5460321974784224770" border="0" /></a>We offer day trips around Hoi An or four and five day trips up to the DMZ. We wind our way through areas where some of the heaviest fighting of the war took place. It's pretty incredible to cool off in a fresh mountain stream where armies once clashed.BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-43290413888945727302010-03-30T11:19:00.009+07:002010-03-30T18:47:51.935+07:00Nick<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmACoaGLumlnFhpB1pFfnqYnS6kYi-HnGiEfmbTZhCEm72b_e5KUU1KcvTC4PLwoMG9lDPb8lGZxzDZK30LebLp6ov4Qq3yd705s_fzy9dm8BlnnVwYyCsOYcIZ544d6uu629WJj3P724/s1600/IMG_0735.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmACoaGLumlnFhpB1pFfnqYnS6kYi-HnGiEfmbTZhCEm72b_e5KUU1KcvTC4PLwoMG9lDPb8lGZxzDZK30LebLp6ov4Qq3yd705s_fzy9dm8BlnnVwYyCsOYcIZ544d6uu629WJj3P724/s320/IMG_0735.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454392085447927538" border="0" /></a>Nick served with 3/27 Marines in 1969 and hadn't been back to Vietnam since. Like most vets who choose to return, he was a little anxious and uncertain of what he was looking for. But he did have places he wanted to see again and he brought a photograph of a Vietnamese friend that he wanted to try to find. In the company of<br />his cousin, Larry, he came to Vietnam to get in touch with his past.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFP6wYuuiGFGA1PFEjHDVng_jl46bYYpeikNxst3wUitOBjkXIWpOPoN6MWmvnFtcQxD9XMT2JJS3MxlIEnOx94qDZM6KNs8r2u9LrHY3Cr0oR-RuChsoghb-pGTCYo_V8LWUhyRSWWTj/s1600/IMG_0670.jpg"><img style="float: right; margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWFP6wYuuiGFGA1PFEjHDVng_jl46bYYpeikNxst3wUitOBjkXIWpOPoN6MWmvnFtcQxD9XMT2JJS3MxlIEnOx94qDZM6KNs8r2u9LrHY3Cr0oR-RuChsoghb-pGTCYo_V8LWUhyRSWWTj/s320/IMG_0670.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454276927708022146" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7cItQsfzoOdb2D_IFow3u2ozced4A78ZIx8i3vw-z9qMFd5aEyTFuHJ4m4C8eD-BKwa_L4WzJ2p4avtRDxzZ9zTqL9Psm1rLRGlXrRvXTQ_pnbUWNFFIOTYR3VRM07NaVsESzkR4JToH/s1600/IMG_0676.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU7cItQsfzoOdb2D_IFow3u2ozced4A78ZIx8i3vw-z9qMFd5aEyTFuHJ4m4C8eD-BKwa_L4WzJ2p4avtRDxzZ9zTqL9Psm1rLRGlXrRvXTQ_pnbUWNFFIOTYR3VRM07NaVsESzkR4JToH/s320/IMG_0676.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454277613590945170" border="0" /></a>Nick contacted me through the Internet and asked if I could help him find some of the places he was looking for; Nui Kim Son, Hills 55 and 65, Tu Cau Bridge, Go Noi.. Most of the places he wanted to see were within a couple of hours drive by motorbike and I was familiar with the areas.<br /><br />First on the agenda was to try to locate the man in the photograph. Nick knew the man when he was stationed near the small village of Nui Kim Son at the base of Marble mountain. We pulled the photograph out and showed it to a lady where we had lunch. The next thing we knew, it seemed like half the village was crowded around out table. No one could identify the man but Nick had an extra copy of the photo and left it with them. The next day, a woman was waiting outside of Nicks guesthouse and told him they had found the family. We were taken to the family house and learned the man in the photo had died several years back. We were able to meet with the man's children and wife though. We were led upstairs to the family shrine and burnt incense to the man's spirit. We did have success in locating the areas Nick wanted to see. Like most who return to Vietnam, he couldn't believe how much everything has changed. What were once Marine strongholds were now villages with paved roads and satalite dishes on the homes. There is a Vietnamese monument on the top of Hill 55 now and chilie pepper farms cover Hill 65. Go Noi seems so much closer to noisey highway 1. Tu Cau Bridge is still there but is being prepared to be torn down. Only motorbikes and bicycles use it now.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhTwR_rPfz5HArhLMVBFL6GMaTR4Zeu-UTaFZHh-1WfUUb4-WG1rHW4VCzJwOJLILtVv-nFoVzBD2t64eJ-wRbdOz6q9R8GEDOA1TxFha8HXbHIDg4IxJfl8x3nRRD8GzYyQunARO0xD1/s1600/IMG_0726.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKhTwR_rPfz5HArhLMVBFL6GMaTR4Zeu-UTaFZHh-1WfUUb4-WG1rHW4VCzJwOJLILtVv-nFoVzBD2t64eJ-wRbdOz6q9R8GEDOA1TxFha8HXbHIDg4IxJfl8x3nRRD8GzYyQunARO0xD1/s320/IMG_0726.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454277466663582450" border="0" /></a>After seeing the old stomping grounds, we caught the train to Hue. With the exception of inside the Citidel and a few isolated buildings, nothing remains of the devestation of Tet of '68.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV2xDHujpIS1LjoryqcE_kknRm7lQzxuICvCepPPx0i8VtBYQFQW4IGZXKeR18GwHhP-14HD1rql2ERcRcu60-QYtg2FChyphenhyphend9QVRpEklhna_ipJzHookCj66U7ApHDRZcbmlO8nIs1yQk/s1600/IMG_0712.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlV2xDHujpIS1LjoryqcE_kknRm7lQzxuICvCepPPx0i8VtBYQFQW4IGZXKeR18GwHhP-14HD1rql2ERcRcu60-QYtg2FChyphenhyphend9QVRpEklhna_ipJzHookCj66U7ApHDRZcbmlO8nIs1yQk/s320/IMG_0712.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454277255771724178" border="0" /></a>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-31387174875679466762010-02-16T08:04:00.021+07:002010-02-18T07:39:27.505+07:00Year of the Tiger<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm3QhVwMtqUOyXltRvrPEdLoSZ9b0LUk6Wrsvz2otjNUZut-kkNLWRgmltJMgbIDWz-n_bhHdpZ2a12lXZAu7cAPPWisBazgfKd0zzVfvB7aYlDNsw7iQNplngAIUGIAj3E6YinXHDPjP/s1600-h/IMG_0352.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLm3QhVwMtqUOyXltRvrPEdLoSZ9b0LUk6Wrsvz2otjNUZut-kkNLWRgmltJMgbIDWz-n_bhHdpZ2a12lXZAu7cAPPWisBazgfKd0zzVfvB7aYlDNsw7iQNplngAIUGIAj3E6YinXHDPjP/s320/IMG_0352.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439376154099041810" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM71nN9m2l-EYE-i46VJvJip7hYGRP4tUtY3NlhAx4hgDSbzf_21OlPVh3DNn7K6YyHdGtJ5F0dWM2z_1J38sabC8fy_A7_7u8M0qB0Oq2vkf6BOvfg-tPljweNR-CeaosguQ4YZzgWXP_/s1600-h/IMG_0359.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM71nN9m2l-EYE-i46VJvJip7hYGRP4tUtY3NlhAx4hgDSbzf_21OlPVh3DNn7K6YyHdGtJ5F0dWM2z_1J38sabC8fy_A7_7u8M0qB0Oq2vkf6BOvfg-tPljweNR-CeaosguQ4YZzgWXP_/s320/IMG_0359.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439373923775322114" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu90ZWnYDchpKNEc8gqOnydscbh3DAS12WNdgId_rlWipfm86Ap64UlgSqFN_acHbzvQJKG8ZQp4vECF0KcT-b0IjLixzYNU1WSBS2I_houWlKUywFksnvSVvDGs66CebSUTQc11KYMjzB/s1600-h/IMG_0392.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu90ZWnYDchpKNEc8gqOnydscbh3DAS12WNdgId_rlWipfm86Ap64UlgSqFN_acHbzvQJKG8ZQp4vECF0KcT-b0IjLixzYNU1WSBS2I_houWlKUywFksnvSVvDGs66CebSUTQc11KYMjzB/s320/IMG_0392.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641216652856930" border="0" /></a>Tet, the Lunar New Year is upon us. Throughout Asia, people celebrate by remembering their ancestors, brightening up their houses, visiting friends, and partying. It's a ten day affair of good times much like a combination of our Christmas, New Years, and Memorial Day all rolled into one. The streets are filled with flower vendors and music. This is The Year of The Tiger.<br /><br />Outside, a young man burns offerings to his ancestors. Money, shoes, suits of clothing both modern and traditional, all made of tissue paper, are completely consumed so that they my enter the spirit world to be joined with the loved ones who have gone before.<br /><br /><br />Inside, the old woman sits before the family shrine with incense and prayers to her husband and children who have passed. She is ninety-six years old and has traveled 600 miles from Saigon to visit her family house where she raised a family of ten children and twelve other family members during a time of war. Her hands and her frail body are records of the hardships but her eyes tell a story of love. I wish I could speak with her and hear her stories.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRaaxiE9oacQXWum8QjsSELi0oHjQIuUvLBclPOKS91mkh921DuqOnSlSZ0IoB6gXCapRbcIEdw98HdbETpIlxnG7ZcJ0-4SOY-C5T29kLyNisng2fxLrYhly1iuzIt_oly9Culz3Ak6S/s1600-h/IMG_0380.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfRaaxiE9oacQXWum8QjsSELi0oHjQIuUvLBclPOKS91mkh921DuqOnSlSZ0IoB6gXCapRbcIEdw98HdbETpIlxnG7ZcJ0-4SOY-C5T29kLyNisng2fxLrYhly1iuzIt_oly9Culz3Ak6S/s320/IMG_0380.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438641825317795570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Tw6zfwLgEHPxDUhr3cE5_z0xMlD6EJEQ2yWXS8xRfIe7X867fSWqD6W2oQ6bKoaS8zVPCRuA8kDkeo9eHwdw-Xd9bGIhu0XgxhYNUWMU18iffPWG85V2oj3HqVLA_OCrrOjTr3JY21s6/s1600-h/IMG_0374.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Tw6zfwLgEHPxDUhr3cE5_z0xMlD6EJEQ2yWXS8xRfIe7X867fSWqD6W2oQ6bKoaS8zVPCRuA8kDkeo9eHwdw-Xd9bGIhu0XgxhYNUWMU18iffPWG85V2oj3HqVLA_OCrrOjTr3JY21s6/s320/IMG_0374.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438646382795910914" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Five of her daughters have come to celebrate the new year with her. Together, they prepare a feast before traveling to the countryside to visit the family tombs. The road through the cemetery is dirt and full of rocks, making it difficult to push the wheelchair but the mother does not complain. It may be the last time she is able to make this journey. Thankfully, a man with a motorbike offers to ride her back to the car.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6V-YxIfeFPGsFfDqzydQsRNLMDK8uj_cgy8e7u_UO_B0bPIZx0w-h1xGOjiOb_qvEcPo_IZtz8DZloKszV16h6FbHs5m-t0EiTRYxF7pstGWRf_Vq4IVSUszX8VE65wIbX-3uunxyZPv/s1600-h/IMG_0445.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA6V-YxIfeFPGsFfDqzydQsRNLMDK8uj_cgy8e7u_UO_B0bPIZx0w-h1xGOjiOb_qvEcPo_IZtz8DZloKszV16h6FbHs5m-t0EiTRYxF7pstGWRf_Vq4IVSUszX8VE65wIbX-3uunxyZPv/s320/IMG_0445.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439047446449050914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiXr_H-ZFT_Mh0lz7zsMX-Dzsrv667_PWJP3DS1IiMW78y2duHMNmyu_13RaU29Cf4FzrKEfLDna1n46XWZGq6galSWQ0Nu0iQUSWVkD-BRRpWZp4tKQ4BMrkmtdSBOSBMvnIgnZbaV4Z/s1600-h/IMG_0406.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjiXr_H-ZFT_Mh0lz7zsMX-Dzsrv667_PWJP3DS1IiMW78y2duHMNmyu_13RaU29Cf4FzrKEfLDna1n46XWZGq6galSWQ0Nu0iQUSWVkD-BRRpWZp4tKQ4BMrkmtdSBOSBMvnIgnZbaV4Z/s320/IMG_0406.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5439045458622565922" border="0" /></a>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-49578204807748603232010-02-05T06:58:00.007+07:002010-02-12T11:25:37.396+07:00New Year 2010<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zqL5ZsTZ5vMjbYZqPkiogrOxYqUXthbsY2b0BImSdrMoJTSpZ6u6TAkzLliKx7B1t3YxScPy1qe7ayeLmxzsMvWx3IXmZP2JWgLGnHdqAVT9sQnVmQ5j0BVKjug4Me3mFUXfZm8Eixxa/s1600-h/IMG_1703.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_zqL5ZsTZ5vMjbYZqPkiogrOxYqUXthbsY2b0BImSdrMoJTSpZ6u6TAkzLliKx7B1t3YxScPy1qe7ayeLmxzsMvWx3IXmZP2JWgLGnHdqAVT9sQnVmQ5j0BVKjug4Me3mFUXfZm8Eixxa/s320/IMG_1703.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434711209442770834" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I went back to The States over the holidays and froze my butt. Damn, it was cold (-6 F /-22 C) while I was there. and we had snow! I had a great time with my family while there so the cold was bearable. All of my grandkids have grown since I last saw them. Here is a picture of Cody and Alex with their new umbrellas I brought them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwne73IryCM73hha669lsUeoE0mMX0GLDFMuNmQ-wjtzLRcC-jFsRTDmmky2KWdbmiyhhGJ7fScC16_y1AsJ2s90WL1TE1rZ00pcNnguw6USqflYkpO3HPuU7QMdAwBOPT7-nhbXNRsM8h/s1600-h/IMG_0066.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwne73IryCM73hha669lsUeoE0mMX0GLDFMuNmQ-wjtzLRcC-jFsRTDmmky2KWdbmiyhhGJ7fScC16_y1AsJ2s90WL1TE1rZ00pcNnguw6USqflYkpO3HPuU7QMdAwBOPT7-nhbXNRsM8h/s320/IMG_0066.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5434711939586897762" border="0" /></a></div>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-39030048955274637322009-11-28T13:21:00.005+07:002009-11-28T13:47:30.261+07:00Thanksgiving<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO45DAqI8b0XnOtSB4nEIQrPnWvDclloqmmJgHacI2B014OWZdgo1LVRZQPuTKlyZnjCoKZ410iYkOVDkI69efAYDDhNWP3tq7TIXwvPQVDynLbcqjjWnFsbMY7tx2IPJpX4o_vz9x_AH8/s1600/Thx1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO45DAqI8b0XnOtSB4nEIQrPnWvDclloqmmJgHacI2B014OWZdgo1LVRZQPuTKlyZnjCoKZ410iYkOVDkI69efAYDDhNWP3tq7TIXwvPQVDynLbcqjjWnFsbMY7tx2IPJpX4o_vz9x_AH8/s320/Thx1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409041502368796546" border="0" /></a><br />There's a restaurant in Da Nang completely staffed by deaf kids. It's called The Bread of Life and it's owned by Kathleen and Bob, an American couple from Kansas. They serve real American food and it's favorite place for the expat community to eat. Every Thanksgiving Kathleen puts together a traditional holiday meal complete with turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, and pumpkin pie. A bunch of us went there this year and stuffed ourselves. The Vietnamese who joined us thought the food was a little strange but most of them agreed it wasn't bad.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMcTypsBjsiVAfWy7M8hzHix0EyFXCJlm9R67MyopSfnTAv5DlZZD_O7ippf2zmL2meIEk1iECLs-MYwsOBbvQaiID24ZfB-LRgHxTzMavk6MZKzfcpIRSkAIb4whir7RzoM5THwEgCFO/s1600/thx2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMcTypsBjsiVAfWy7M8hzHix0EyFXCJlm9R67MyopSfnTAv5DlZZD_O7ippf2zmL2meIEk1iECLs-MYwsOBbvQaiID24ZfB-LRgHxTzMavk6MZKzfcpIRSkAIb4whir7RzoM5THwEgCFO/s320/thx2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409041851325955442" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuDI8M5y8q1RTAqVGzJgGt_MM-Ecjclg_05M1L2RStKdNWC4w4RQ5bT6EsX_y4gKghh7Z8pOAynLnc_YP0gYcUPmWZAGQKM-jPUDwZjTJIYITwC1RelY_zORq2M5Yt6-3FOKJ2cxDIPtE/s1600/thx3.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIuDI8M5y8q1RTAqVGzJgGt_MM-Ecjclg_05M1L2RStKdNWC4w4RQ5bT6EsX_y4gKghh7Z8pOAynLnc_YP0gYcUPmWZAGQKM-jPUDwZjTJIYITwC1RelY_zORq2M5Yt6-3FOKJ2cxDIPtE/s320/thx3.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409042154402533650" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />If you are in Da Nang, stop in at The Bread of Life if you are in the mood for a good western meal. Not only is the food great, but you'll be helping the deaf community. It's just a block off the river behind the Green Plaza hotel on Le Hong Phong Street. Oh yea, they serve a mean pizza too. And they deliver.BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-62003558806129469032009-11-11T07:51:00.004+07:002009-11-11T08:04:02.292+07:00Happy Birthday Marines<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhCVhqioz0uzvtEAFn7J7PlDwruJiX8bvZm6cTXqbHVc0W4Rp1UM03QIne8i2zbxDexn7i4wwvTAEO2kiDalv_X3gqBLu_Xs_xPvfMneeGvcGYm3gMylcgPyqJiP9tQ81XeWhtD7YVWsM/s1600-h/B_Cake.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLhCVhqioz0uzvtEAFn7J7PlDwruJiX8bvZm6cTXqbHVc0W4Rp1UM03QIne8i2zbxDexn7i4wwvTAEO2kiDalv_X3gqBLu_Xs_xPvfMneeGvcGYm3gMylcgPyqJiP9tQ81XeWhtD7YVWsM/s320/B_Cake.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402644820190793922" border="0" /></a>There is a small contingent of Marines living in Vietnam these days, about six that I know of. And as Marines all over the world, those of us who were in town took time out yesterday to celebrate the Marine Corps 234th Birthday and remember our fallen brothers. What better place to do this than on China Beach. The beer was warm, the vodka cheap, and the cake messy but we had a great time.<br /><br />The party was not restricted to Marines. We had friends and families join us so there was an interesting mix at our little party. The conversations ran from war stories to politics, from family issues to health issues, from life in the US to life in Vietnam. It was a good time for us with a few tears and a lot of laughter.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbStpVOe5RmdKCEiezmBitqAq1u5idFA0KTQTytqCCis_8BkOpTS4jaadBpTxyOKryKj4irUiLAWtf1ofLuy_dQ6pTHYMmG__-NHQc50eQixMGQkZZuFh35AZkSD7Vkf79HRAnB65wZH52/s1600-h/B_day2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbStpVOe5RmdKCEiezmBitqAq1u5idFA0KTQTytqCCis_8BkOpTS4jaadBpTxyOKryKj4irUiLAWtf1ofLuy_dQ6pTHYMmG__-NHQc50eQixMGQkZZuFh35AZkSD7Vkf79HRAnB65wZH52/s320/B_day2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5402644988038754578" border="0" /></a><br />I want to wish all my Marines out there a Happy Birthday and to all who served, a happy Veterans Day.<br /><br />Semper Fidelis<br />BillBillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-26692039161920128092009-10-06T09:29:00.006+07:002009-10-06T11:01:23.366+07:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIu_2U11SwlDAYBPDjMehKuLAsFgwJugMyDGMKJyIswZhF-ayDzUw6A050i-8bWlVPHeNYPiH4-tGrnDUW6Kk74B_nRuYR5UnH4DyfJYNPa5pLBaRlXc6xokVpVN8FfFpFbCgTVTlFJVRW/s1600-h/IMG_5586.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIu_2U11SwlDAYBPDjMehKuLAsFgwJugMyDGMKJyIswZhF-ayDzUw6A050i-8bWlVPHeNYPiH4-tGrnDUW6Kk74B_nRuYR5UnH4DyfJYNPa5pLBaRlXc6xokVpVN8FfFpFbCgTVTlFJVRW/s320/IMG_5586.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389329943810685346" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDAHH45rZqn6fS2JLyWukMbT_9zDgDhxtTsUx-TqlRFAwBfog7FO3r3fcUrwqsXJTC_XA3dJmNdcjZDy3mZxVvcVbIS-03bz5FnwnloYpViow35pyZT_yjLsj5kVgrVMBLiOSZT8fi6rW/s1600-h/IMG_5631.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTDAHH45rZqn6fS2JLyWukMbT_9zDgDhxtTsUx-TqlRFAwBfog7FO3r3fcUrwqsXJTC_XA3dJmNdcjZDy3mZxVvcVbIS-03bz5FnwnloYpViow35pyZT_yjLsj5kVgrVMBLiOSZT8fi6rW/s320/IMG_5631.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389331054337548162" border="0" /></a><br />I haven't made any new postings for a while because I've been back in the States for a couple of months. While there, I did some remodeling to my house in Colorado, visited family, and went to the Marine reunion. So, all in all, it was a good trip but I was definitely ready to get back here again. I'm back in Da Nang now and trying to readjust to the time zone and the culture again. It always takes about a week to get back on track.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBVeSi_kpMOniQ8L8eBXd7ruzxSmqkotF7VN8V4hfStRBRmS10qs3ppAZZU-bS6dW69i6wEi9XVVDcFMgX_HElMqc5Za2BeVReZRPPloGLPurlBtI11Me5gSS-KJrrha4iunYMua8rBLU/s1600-h/IMG_5713.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBVeSi_kpMOniQ8L8eBXd7ruzxSmqkotF7VN8V4hfStRBRmS10qs3ppAZZU-bS6dW69i6wEi9XVVDcFMgX_HElMqc5Za2BeVReZRPPloGLPurlBtI11Me5gSS-KJrrha4iunYMua8rBLU/s320/IMG_5713.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5389331497150193970" border="0" /></a>I missed the big typhoon that blew in through this area last week. I arrived two days after the storm hit and the remnants were still visible when I got here; trees down, power lines down, and a lot of flooding to the south of Da Nang. Though Da Nang did have damage, the brunt of the storm hit about thirty miles south of here. Work crews have been busy cleaning up and I am amazed at how fast they have put things back in order. Other than a little water seepage through a few walls, my house remained in pretty good shape.BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-48883372612720678032009-07-09T08:37:00.023+07:002009-07-09T09:12:34.642+07:00The Ho Chi Minh Trail<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOneYuBCB71bgKhpa2fh8dhibAa1B8kz4_ZvRiapsHuiOVcxWIpiLk0-0puCljKSa3fA_licmkGcF5l2uoofRwQqkcW5JohEErpdEvXcgHz-naXfXewVwlGJNh1WSX7v_lr0PCCjVIQyb/s1600-h/20years.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 246px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLOneYuBCB71bgKhpa2fh8dhibAa1B8kz4_ZvRiapsHuiOVcxWIpiLk0-0puCljKSa3fA_licmkGcF5l2uoofRwQqkcW5JohEErpdEvXcgHz-naXfXewVwlGJNh1WSX7v_lr0PCCjVIQyb/s320/20years.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356271800316494082" border="0" /></a>I turned twenty in Vietnam when I was here in 1969 and now, on the first of July of this year, I turned sixty. The picture to the right was taken of me up on the DMZ on my 20th birthday. I'm the guy sitting on the left. My sister sent me a birthday package complete with party hats, whistles, streamers, and a cake. Though the cake was green with mold by the time it got to me, we ate it anyway.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqyBgbICorwstLrvyvIsnAHv8ACU-d3CClA4CfYtBsGZTy9TPUEEGLLE7JmTgKFwVms7Tk1K6MVn8S21jE-IThiE-gINSS7QKugMm2Yiuw9-aH1ZXPVatCPZ0BnwjvMkP1t3HdQpR7WLI/s1600-h/Trail.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdqyBgbICorwstLrvyvIsnAHv8ACU-d3CClA4CfYtBsGZTy9TPUEEGLLE7JmTgKFwVms7Tk1K6MVn8S21jE-IThiE-gINSS7QKugMm2Yiuw9-aH1ZXPVatCPZ0BnwjvMkP1t3HdQpR7WLI/s320/Trail.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356271655558574866" border="0" /></a><br />For my 60th birthday, Anh got a couple of friends together and we took a motorbike ride through the jungled mountains along the Laotian boarder on what is now called The Ho Chi Minh Trail. It was a magnificent two-day trip into a part of the country where few tourists venture.The Vietnamese have developed a network of roads through the mountainous areas and have appropriately called it The Ho Chi Minh Trail. Much of it actually is part of the old trail used by the North during the war and it runs through some of the most rugged and remote parts of Vietnam from Hanoi to the Delta in the south.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbIw2LebZMsUnJzSbujZHqaHHD8DgI8TAqOhOQPPkfZITwEigU0X6uCyr8ovjEPlwi-bkMt_uXeNvSRn40wxcv88oRM3eC5DdUIiJWaESnGRsPbi4Dp2ebpGISR_dvXFyINTDjMyhoWfO/s1600-h/mist.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifbIw2LebZMsUnJzSbujZHqaHHD8DgI8TAqOhOQPPkfZITwEigU0X6uCyr8ovjEPlwi-bkMt_uXeNvSRn40wxcv88oRM3eC5DdUIiJWaESnGRsPbi4Dp2ebpGISR_dvXFyINTDjMyhoWfO/s320/mist.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356271437613374818" border="0" /></a><br /></div>We took a 500km ride starting from Da Nang and heading west into the mountains. Once we got up close to the Laotian boarder, we headed north to the small town of A Lui in the Ashau Valley about 80 km west of Hue. This was some of the most spectacular scenery I have seen with dense jungle, rushing rivers and low hanging clouds as far as the eye could see.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB9wan8cN1Vo9Bk9R9ACyxMYfnNP48L9EmFtX1sBIkI4-oxalmsHpoPcfZdrcH-0N_xVsVO_O2_BFQzZHi13N7jFFpN046THb49jgSr7sNS1oBT8Ed9_hQBTyrK8rXIicvb4Q1sKtUT33/s1600-h/Hills.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggB9wan8cN1Vo9Bk9R9ACyxMYfnNP48L9EmFtX1sBIkI4-oxalmsHpoPcfZdrcH-0N_xVsVO_O2_BFQzZHi13N7jFFpN046THb49jgSr7sNS1oBT8Ed9_hQBTyrK8rXIicvb4Q1sKtUT33/s320/Hills.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356271054306288594" border="0" /></a>About every twenty km or so we would pass through a village with straw huts and colorful people. Most of these villages have what is called a rung, a community house where the people gather for social events or official business.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxryct6Gjw8YgzUr5bjRLswRhsHli3TUGw-iHlNjFcLuyHpI_COCMeOXIj01Ky_jEhDt6P9b4-WLtixqRIGhndsAMbONQghxKTnyAho6zgRBmRBktKkDjJLSs4dLls6zaoY6r6jr2jCgA/s1600-h/Co-To-Man.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxryct6Gjw8YgzUr5bjRLswRhsHli3TUGw-iHlNjFcLuyHpI_COCMeOXIj01Ky_jEhDt6P9b4-WLtixqRIGhndsAMbONQghxKTnyAho6zgRBmRBktKkDjJLSs4dLls6zaoY6r6jr2jCgA/s320/Co-To-Man.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356277147522581842" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLQlkEXXGFbsD3JcIVBQ_vM37khU9Nbl4jmW_hyphenhyphenw7gT53U0USlR7wxPjXgoKnvrtbHlUjDM3M6Ewcy0-cMWzW8sQsyxkNd7aFwSBnbcxEkf5_DnPfy02UADAZ7iikAbp3Zs7jnIm3jJkd/s1600-h/Rung2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqLQlkEXXGFbsD3JcIVBQ_vM37khU9Nbl4jmW_hyphenhyphenw7gT53U0USlR7wxPjXgoKnvrtbHlUjDM3M6Ewcy0-cMWzW8sQsyxkNd7aFwSBnbcxEkf5_DnPfy02UADAZ7iikAbp3Zs7jnIm3jJkd/s320/Rung2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356270727063294834" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6Ea_UDO2H5h9pZMIhG8zer5b0DaCiAiYvgRgLU8FDJn-WE-_VRD9szz-tJ1EfvxpUbiT7ehXNDf8RovROjZL0Dx2rr9UqdluwcEFpyWkUpNyf2QVw3R9eyPt9-8ruKm2gI-bCj_4lvVv/s1600-h/Rung.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW6Ea_UDO2H5h9pZMIhG8zer5b0DaCiAiYvgRgLU8FDJn-WE-_VRD9szz-tJ1EfvxpUbiT7ehXNDf8RovROjZL0Dx2rr9UqdluwcEFpyWkUpNyf2QVw3R9eyPt9-8ruKm2gI-bCj_4lvVv/s320/Rung.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356270344864012274" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm76NDJzpLhx6euwM9wOBRJ5V911Vp_ODGoRLgzv4md43J5iSdpkJhX-R9i1xVhuMJz-RYE0pb5KQ7IB25-0Hej94NgqLBvN0_BYQo_BKrpYWHv8dfwCjqtVXfFgcAzqIaqu4jo22NNNc/s1600-h/weave.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcm76NDJzpLhx6euwM9wOBRJ5V911Vp_ODGoRLgzv4md43J5iSdpkJhX-R9i1xVhuMJz-RYE0pb5KQ7IB25-0Hej94NgqLBvN0_BYQo_BKrpYWHv8dfwCjqtVXfFgcAzqIaqu4jo22NNNc/s320/weave.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356270009039710482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRE1hVfAbk7hu3E_X2TfOeCb4bb3UDigJnFn-j3ydOKUcCW0tTcpxpcxyd5x-6rpxJ96FoYIZQGcL8y5354pFUSAv9-VXpBthmdnlrxLJkQz7zfqsYu72ajpg6xATwX-_1I7AKMZMt0dN/s1600-h/60years.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 216px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisRE1hVfAbk7hu3E_X2TfOeCb4bb3UDigJnFn-j3ydOKUcCW0tTcpxpcxyd5x-6rpxJ96FoYIZQGcL8y5354pFUSAv9-VXpBthmdnlrxLJkQz7zfqsYu72ajpg6xATwX-_1I7AKMZMt0dN/s320/60years.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356269818146518706" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlOY9Uqj6_o6nIv6H_ckIVpIKZWksfkTGi7wSTwQRlBthBmp4gcyzjjdg3jU-9nntIxSD8isAt0eA4Ax4HnAXwzMw-32tlSpPrM2IYM-ZaZLTkYnsp4xWwdtWVVrGKsBTTfA4elD8HLNlc/s1600-h/Hills.jpg"><br /></a>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-48009088074306363362009-06-06T10:56:00.006+07:002009-06-06T11:14:14.705+07:00Eggshell and Lacquer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqsOntVuVs18-tym-AAeIFS1bRq8n0N3W1PWSAlqMiCpa0JX9gAsjpyZIWsFviGxGHFk0gd9YAWjuKxcwaJKo9AhE0axXfIRX16E9uumyzzb_U5_8ErZOrXRlZt3ivSlpw1R3-1rubhro/s1600-h/Eggshell1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 279px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqsOntVuVs18-tym-AAeIFS1bRq8n0N3W1PWSAlqMiCpa0JX9gAsjpyZIWsFviGxGHFk0gd9YAWjuKxcwaJKo9AhE0axXfIRX16E9uumyzzb_U5_8ErZOrXRlZt3ivSlpw1R3-1rubhro/s400/Eggshell1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344062047043932994" border="0" /></a>We have a piece of art in the house that I am really fond of. It's a stylized market scene and is about 36"x 24". The image itself is amazingly beautiful with the straw hats and baskets but when you look at how it's made, it is incredible. This is a lacquer and eggshell piece of art. The image is made with dyed eggshells pressed into a fixative then the entire piece is covered with a meticulous lacquer coating. There are several galleries in Saigon that produce this type of art and are very interesting to visit and watch work in progress.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNGVTsmPoyrFpjhBdvcbZgST3waJKO4dlUEb-2wskBCjwmb_9TBLQbETaOHLG80VrOTgtQ0ZaKSbi482sD0cdC-RUI3c-zvENcW821UObLNAEMqpbLp_qwoYQsgz_zfL1Im_MQmc1XAMj/s1600-h/Eggshell2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 227px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqNGVTsmPoyrFpjhBdvcbZgST3waJKO4dlUEb-2wskBCjwmb_9TBLQbETaOHLG80VrOTgtQ0ZaKSbi482sD0cdC-RUI3c-zvENcW821UObLNAEMqpbLp_qwoYQsgz_zfL1Im_MQmc1XAMj/s320/Eggshell2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5344062987143852338" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwiETp-94USVm_-THtwDnIhIlKCTRCtQNYQcyh_z_oDn8Ku2_XrBhw6USXhuDOmK6IAIdmi1KbEYzGV2kXAaxTJ1OAA9HBZ0xNhImVl7W7vANU3Lgs1nnSASD9jt_SlQqatohkZYBasWlw/s1600-h/Eggshell2.jpg"><br /></a>BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4481629423698551063.post-2537945879619705102009-06-04T07:03:00.004+07:002009-06-04T07:10:05.715+07:00Hoa's Place<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5imm6yrY-OveteLy7aMrZhdINyT5LmkCuyWuLY0FHzyOY9UZHBGCQOkTn6osQB9OPvxTT1lgnRfIntGIW1Wt26X6aDPlVjHBWa-pfMY8Vd5RdUTXlWACxmioAukR0s8ofjiGPhfXmQsv/s1600-h/Hoas-Place.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5imm6yrY-OveteLy7aMrZhdINyT5LmkCuyWuLY0FHzyOY9UZHBGCQOkTn6osQB9OPvxTT1lgnRfIntGIW1Wt26X6aDPlVjHBWa-pfMY8Vd5RdUTXlWACxmioAukR0s8ofjiGPhfXmQsv/s320/Hoas-Place.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343257544493694194" border="0" /></a><br />The twenty five miles of beach that runs south from Da Nang to Hoi An is rapidly vanishing under the jaws of bulldozers and concrete. This paradise lost has been found by foreign investors who are putting up huge resorts and golf courses. But there still remains one island of refuge amidst all the development though it will most likely fall victim to the new growth soon. Hoa's Place sits off the coast highway at the base of Marble Mountain. It's a sleepy little guesthouse and restaurant run by a man named Hoa (pronounced "Wha"). Hoa is a small man in his mid 50's who speaks very good English and puts out a reasonable facsimile of a hamburger. His beer is cold, and the food is pretty damn good.He operates about 12 rooms for rent on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The rooms are within a two minute walk of the beach and go for under ten bucks a night. Hoa's place is pretty well known and is listed in The Lonely Planet if you want to know more about the facilities.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sMMCaF6Jhr5XupBfMdg01xcJd5Z1h3G6enDjZqDRZBmVKiEfqB48aSrg0Pqik-fiIKXzQBP4OJAOZl803VnrZt01T4fbB4_Y4y5d3kQvYhNfCY4ZNc2fAFDgnGMed5L-cj8854k87qdv/s1600-h/Hoa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-sMMCaF6Jhr5XupBfMdg01xcJd5Z1h3G6enDjZqDRZBmVKiEfqB48aSrg0Pqik-fiIKXzQBP4OJAOZl803VnrZt01T4fbB4_Y4y5d3kQvYhNfCY4ZNc2fAFDgnGMed5L-cj8854k87qdv/s320/Hoa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5343257735791737282" border="0" /></a><br />But it's Hoa that makes the place special. I've gotten to know Hoa over the past four or five months and always enjoy sitting down and having a chat with him over a cool beer.Though he barely stands five feet tall, he has a big heart, especially for American servicemen. Hoa worked with a Marine CAP unit in his home village of Dai Loc during the war days. He was only eleven when the Americans came and was barely fourteen when he would join them on patrols. He has the heart of a Marine and the mouth of a drill instructor. But when you learn your English from a bunch of Marines, what do you expect.BillinNamhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10175285283871928119noreply@blogger.com2