hi again, im actually getting on this a fair bit, even though the country is fairly poor and doesnt have public phones, there are a lot of internet cafes.
We are in Hue now right in the centre of the country and the old capital, so we have been to a few tombs of the old kings, which are still in good condition .... well what is left as lots was destroyed in the wars. We have had a local tour guide here which is fastinating as he makes everything real as he has experienced everything and he has lost relatives to the american war. It is so amazing how the Viet people are so forgiving and are totally focused on the future and have no regrets or bad feeling towards the Americans or the French. It is very inspiring I think it must be the buddist way of life. I have been learning lots about the buddists.... it actually makes a lot of sense (don't think i'll be converting just yet though). Today we went on a motorbike tour around Hue (sorry Mum) its the only way to travel around, and we got to go right into the country side and saw people farming and at the market, they buy everything fresh each day so everyday is market day. We then went off road wizzing down mud paths (i'm sure people pay just to do that in the UK) My guy was a total nutcase (trust me to get the crazy one) he kept overtaking everyone and racing the others, untill he got in trouble with the head motorbike guy as aparently they all have a pecking order! All the kids came running out and shouting hello and waving as we went past which was great (hey vx I was listening at uni as well... the locals are welcoming of the tourists at the moment as very hospitable, but as Jon Swarbrook said this will all change as the tourist cycle develops... or something like that anyway).
Everything has bullet holes in ... such a shame but hey it makes it all the more interesting and I suppose its a form of dark tourism (ok enough of the tourism speak).
Well I must go as we are off to dinner/tea and maybe a beer, we had to celebrate Australia day yesterday so a quite one tonight although everyone is knackered and aching from today.
lots of love to all jenxx