Bob and Ann in Vietnam 2005-2006 Eldertreks Tour

My Lai


14-Year-Old Vendor

Long drive today from about 7:30AM to 6PM with short stretch stops, one at a neat China Sea Beach for a brief stroll and a major stop at the My Lai Memorial for over an hour. Roger thoughtfully supplied a stem of white mums for each of us to lay at the Memorial Monument. Despite Thuy’s preparation for what we would see in a stark 20 min. video, in the wrenching museum displays and on the grounds where reconstructed ruins of huts surrounded the memorial, we were all shaken by the memory of the horror of this event. How could we avoid relating the massacre of over 500 Vietnamese villagers by a few wacko American soldiers to disclosures about multiple murders of innocent Iraq citizens of late?

Our delicious dinner at the Inn tonight was preceded by a happy hour at the bar where selections were mainly American/European cocktails much appreciated by our group. We retired at about 10, threw open the balcony door to hear the crashing surf for awhile when suddenly zzzz, mosquitos had found us. Too late we closed the door for they feasted on Bob’s knuckles and buzzed Ann until wake-up call at 4:30AM.

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