In the Autumn of 1070 under the reign of Kin Ly Thanh Tong, Van Mieu was built. The statues of Confucius, Zhow Kung, and Confucius' four best disciples were carved. We went to this center of learning and wisdom while still in Vietnam. I thought this was very fitting as Confuscius has been honored as the "Everlasting exemplary teacher."
This was also the home of Vietnam's first University. The text on the stele talks about importance of education, it states " Virtuous and talented men are state sustaining elements: The strength and prosperity of a state depends onits stable vitality and it becomes weaker as such vitality fails. That is why all the saint emperors and clear-sighted kings didn't fail in seeing to the training of men of talent and employment of literati to develop this vitality."
It was too dark in parts of the center to get good pictures but I have included a few of those I could get. It was very inspiring.
Saturday, July 25, 2009
The Hanoi Hilton
Thank you John McCain and those who fought and gave their lives in VietNam. We recently toured the prison where John McCain was kept during the Vietnam war. To say that this place was sobbering is such an understatement.
It confirmed again to me how terrible war really is. I have uploaded pictures of the place and a picture of the actual clothing he wore when he was captured. (JM) I can't imagine what it was like to spend such a long time in a prison like that and still come out with the ability to be such a strong survior. It seems like the psychological damage not to mention the physical tortures would be almost impossible to overcome. My respect for him and all the men that were there has increased one hundred fold.
It confirmed again to me how terrible war really is. I have uploaded pictures of the place and a picture of the actual clothing he wore when he was captured. (JM) I can't imagine what it was like to spend such a long time in a prison like that and still come out with the ability to be such a strong survior. It seems like the psychological damage not to mention the physical tortures would be almost impossible to overcome. My respect for him and all the men that were there has increased one hundred fold.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
On to Viet Nam
I don't have access on my own computer today so I won't be able to add pictures to this entry. We flew from Cambodia to Viet Nam and landed in Hanoi. There is still evidence of a very strong government in control as we got off the place. I was getting the evil eye for laughing in the line to show my passport.
We rode in a van through the streets of Hanoi, it is very crowded here with millions of people and about that many motor skooters. We stopped at a restaurant to eat Pho, which was delicious but am still wondering what some of the components were in the soup.
It was then on to a beautiful hotel called Da Woo, not sure if that is spelled correctly. It is a 5 Star in the middle of Hanoi, with a breath taking view of water and a bustling city.
We got up in the morning and went to the memorial for Ho Chi Minh. Wow that was interesting. It was so hot and humid, I wonder if I will render down from all the food I am eating???? They take us to three full meals of incredible food everyday and I am just not used to this. Oh to be sixteen years old and not have to worry about calories!!!! When we were in the memorial the guards literally grabbed me by the arm and moved me along. I was not happy about that. There were thousands of people in the memorial I was so afraid of getting lost from the group. We then toured the grounds and saw where Ho Chi Minh lived, the emotions of the history of our relationship with this country were ever present in my mind.
After this huge buffet, we headed out for Halong Bay. It is a three and half hour drive from Hanoi. The scenery on the drive seemed like entries from a National Geographic Article. You could see people working in rice paddies, water buffalo grazing, many small business people selling their wares and people in traditional Viet Namese clothing. It seemed like a long but beautiful ride. Today we head out for a five hour boat trip in Halong Bay. I can't wait to share some of the pictures I took.
We rode in a van through the streets of Hanoi, it is very crowded here with millions of people and about that many motor skooters. We stopped at a restaurant to eat Pho, which was delicious but am still wondering what some of the components were in the soup.
It was then on to a beautiful hotel called Da Woo, not sure if that is spelled correctly. It is a 5 Star in the middle of Hanoi, with a breath taking view of water and a bustling city.
We got up in the morning and went to the memorial for Ho Chi Minh. Wow that was interesting. It was so hot and humid, I wonder if I will render down from all the food I am eating???? They take us to three full meals of incredible food everyday and I am just not used to this. Oh to be sixteen years old and not have to worry about calories!!!! When we were in the memorial the guards literally grabbed me by the arm and moved me along. I was not happy about that. There were thousands of people in the memorial I was so afraid of getting lost from the group. We then toured the grounds and saw where Ho Chi Minh lived, the emotions of the history of our relationship with this country were ever present in my mind.
After this huge buffet, we headed out for Halong Bay. It is a three and half hour drive from Hanoi. The scenery on the drive seemed like entries from a National Geographic Article. You could see people working in rice paddies, water buffalo grazing, many small business people selling their wares and people in traditional Viet Namese clothing. It seemed like a long but beautiful ride. Today we head out for a five hour boat trip in Halong Bay. I can't wait to share some of the pictures I took.
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Enjoying the moment
Maybe its the heat or maybe its just me, but I had to find a few Kodak moments to share with my fans!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
