Then and Now

Saturday, February 16, 2013
Hue, Vietnam
As we headed south from Hanoi, the names of the places became more familiar. When we landed in Hue, I was reminded of the Tet of 1968, when the New Year's peace was shattered by the surprise attack of the North Vietnamese and the Vietcong. Then the subsequent bombing by the US and the South Vietnamese that destroyed many things in the historic city. We passed the 5 star Marin Hotel, which was the governmental center for the south, was captured by the north and subsequently shelled and bombed during the recapture of the city. Later, when we visited the Citadel, palace of the last Vietnamese king, the royal residence was totally leveled although the formal reception areas have been restored. Amazingly, the Vietnamese show little bitterness over the war and soldiers from both the North and the South will talk about the war and live in apparent harmony.  
 
Hue is still a beautiful and ancient city, and our visit began with a bus ride to the Thien Mu Pagoda, where we arrived just in time for afternoon prayers . After our visit to the pagoda, we descended to the river and boarded two Dragon Boats for a ride on the Huong River back to town center. The river is also called the perfume river because it is said that the water has a sweet scent. I couldn't smell it, but the water seemed very clean and debris free and many people seemed to be enjoying spending time on it.

In the evening we attended a Water Puppet performance. This is a traditional form of entertainment, and watching the Phoenix birds, dragons, and soldiers was very entertaining. At the end of the performance we also got a glimpse of the puppeteers which is unusual. After the show it was time for another wonderful dinner. So far, all of our meals have been very good, and very different.

the next morning we were up early for more adventures. The first stop was at the Hue Citadel, the residence of the last king of Vietnam. The Chinese influence is apparent and the layout is similar to the Forbidden City in Beijing. However, the grounds are much more extensive and the interior buildings are smaller and fewer in number. After visiting the Throne Room we had a chance to visit a replica, and for a small fee ($3.00) including makeup, a chance to dress in court regalia and sit on a replica throne. It was quite an experience.

our next stop was at the Dieu Thanh Monastery where we had a chance to have a conversation with two of the navigate nuns, and to eat a vegetarian lunch. Seeing their simple lifestyle was quite a contrast to the opulent buildings. Of the Citadel.

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