Hanoi

Once we arrived back in Hanoi (a 3-4 hour van ride), I insisted we get dinner, Cha Ca Va Long (I don't know how I remembered that) at a restaurant recommended in the 1000 Places to See Before You Die book. It's never steered us wrong before, so we just had to find THE restaurant. We did! That book is currently packed up in a box somewhere in Texas, but when I find it, and if someone asks, I'll give you the name of the restaurant! The dish was delicious! Fish, leaks, noodles, beer... what more could you ask for?

 Oh yes. And then we went and got dessert. Cause that's how we roll while on vacation.

The following morning was our last day in Vietnam (whirlwind trip, remember?) 

So we had to do the main thing George wanted to do, which was take a little visit to the "Hanoi Hilton." This is the umm... establishment(?) where many of the high profile U.S. prisoners of the Vietnam War were harbored, including John McCain. It's still filled with lots of propaganda, to show you how 'well' the prisoners were treated. It's very eerie to walk through, but definitely something all American's should see. It was particularly special to walk through with George as he could explain "passive resistance" to me. For example... while kept there the prisoners were forced to participate in staged photos showing how much fun they were having, and how they were receiving such nice treatment ::rolls eyes:: but used "passive resistance" to tip off American's that something wasn't quite right, such as looking at upside down pictures of their children, or crossing their arms during a church service. I don't know how to explain this place, but it was really interesting to see, and put us both in a somber mood for our plane ride back to Singapore. 

 The border of the roof was lined with broken class.

As you entered, the music was very scary like you were walking through a haunted house (which we probably were)... and as you went through the history of the music, the lights were brighter, and the music was cheerier, until you reached the room where the American paraphernalia was. Then it was playing music that made you want to be at summer camp. Funny, huh?

John McCain's flight suit.

 You can see here how these photos were staged. Something American's would likely catch, but not the Vietnamese. Ever seen everyone cross their arms at a Christmas Eve church service? Me neither.