Dec 29th, Cao Dai Temple and Cu Chi Tunnels

Today we were up early and down to breakfast, yes eggs, for 7 AM as we were told the bus leaves at 7:15. Apparently the times changed cause at breakfast we were told we were now departing at 8:15. More people converged on the hotel as well as the tour guide and off we went down the street to where the bus was waiting. We were divided into two groups, those taking the half day tour and those like us for the full day. While they were organizing everyone on the street guess who happened to come by? Marie's vendor lady friend who tried to stare her down yesterday. The gal says " I remember you" in an almost threatening tone. Marie replied " I don't remember you" which set her off. She said, " you a liar, you cheap, you not help me, you not buy from me" and more. The other people waiting with us could not believe how she was ranting! Not away to make a good impression on the tourists or get them to buy her wares.
So we got on the bus ( thank god we escaped more of her wrath!) and off we went. Of course, as it always is with these tours, we spent the next 30 or more minutes picking up other venture seekers from a variety of hotels. At one stop a big burly man with a big belly and woman got on the bus with a small Vietnamese shoe repair vendor hot on their heels. They sat behind us and the vendor jumped into the seat across from the man. He was demanding $100,000.00 dong ($5.00) payment. After the following scenario we surmised that the guy had his sandals fixed and then refused to pay. Scenario: The vendor showed the man a 100k dong bill and kept saying, " you pay". The woman beside the man told to just pay. Wen the argument was going nowhere the women told the guy " let me out" and moved to another seat. It was not clear whether or not they were together. The vendor then grabbed the guys sandal and proceeded to tear of the sole, which obviously had been glued on. He continued on to then rip of a longing on top of the sandal, throwing the remnants back at the guy. The process was the same for the second sandal. Next stop he got off with a "F*#% You" followed by a child like gesture of his tongue stuck out and thumb to his nose with fingers extended and a wiggle like wave.
Our tour guide, a slim Vietnamese man who spoke great English told everyone on the bus they should avoid getting anything from the street vendors.
The guide introduced himself as Thuong or "Slim Jim" his name given to him by Aussies. The Aussies also taught him a variety of other slang/common sayings/terms like "hold on to your shorts". He said he was a language teacher for 17 years before becoming a tour guide. He spoke several languages of which the most surprising was Hebrew. The were to guys from Israel on the bus and he spoke with them in Hebrew. The guy in front of us from the states (Detroit) said he studied Hebrew for 5 years and couldn't speak any near to the level of our guide.
The ride to the temple was very long and not pleasant. The one thing that Kep it interesting was Slim Jim's account of the Vietnam war and explanation of the conflict of the north an south and then other countries becoming involved. We arrived at 11:45 just in time to see the Cao Dai practitioners, all dressed in white, kneel and sing in the temple. Cao Dai is an assortment of individuals that believe in any one of Taoism, Buddhism, Catholicism, Confucianism, Christianity, Islam and Vietnamese spiritualism all under the one umbrella. Cao means "high" and Dai "tower".
It is a 20th century religion.
The temple is very colourful with beautifully carved pillars. While it was interesting to see we were undecided whether it was worth the long drive. We were allowed 30 minutes and then piled back on to the bus to drive 45 minutes to lunch. Again, as with such tours, we did not have a choice of eating establishments, but instead we at the mercy of our guides tastes. Not a great choice but adequate to remove any sign of hunger. As with most of our encounters of this sort where there are several tour groups converging on on restaurant, the servers are quickly bewildered and constantly mix up which order belongs to which table. Marie and I were lucky and got out quick.
The tunnels were a good choice. A lot of interesting history and a wonderful tour through the forest ( used to be jungle) to variety of sites. The first stop was a a pile of leaves, which quickly turned out to be the entrance to a tunnel. The soldier demonstrated how they would get in and disappear into the tunnel. Amazing! The opening and tunnel is only 60 cm x 90 cm.
We were then shown a variety of the traps used to injure or kill the enemy. In the distance we could hear the sounds of gun fire. They had a souvenir shop seat up with a shooting range where one could fire the weapons the used during the war. One dollar (US) for one bullet.
The return trip was better and we chatted with some of the people on the bus. Next to me was a young man from France, who spoke perfect Italian ( his ex girlfriend was Italian) and was now living in Scotland where he is a language teacher. He was in Ho Chi Minh visiting his girlfriend from when is Scotish ( she is teaching in Ho Chi Minh). Interesting fellow. There was a couple from Australia travelling with their two young boys. A couple from Detroit, he only for two weeks but she was here for three months working on her MBA. Two fellows from Israel. The big burly guy from Russia, he spoke to me but I could only shrug my shoulders. A young couple from Holland on a short vacation. So very interesting!
Back in the city web got ride of our bags and went out for a bite as we decided a bowl of noodles ( I would swear they are Ichiban) would not suffice. Finding a restaurant is always trying because one never knows what they are getting themselves into. We lucked out and had a wonderful dish of chicken curry and a plate of vegetables with a very interesting tiny pot ( hot) of pork, fish sauce and sugar baked to boiling hot, as a condiment for the mixed vegetables.
Another day in Asia. Tired and ready for a nap.