DAY 57  -  Hanoi, Vietnam  (Day #2)

February 23, 2024 

After a rainy 2+ hour bus trip to the big city, we stopped first at a temple with gardens that was filled by students on a field trip to the temple.







These kids were all smiles and high fives and crowded around us to get their pictures taken.  It was explained to us that the children have been so protected by their parents (Covid, injuries, kidnapping, etc) that the government is now pushing these types of field trips to give them more of a worldly view of life.  Many of the college student who go abroad are well educated and hard working, but are so far behind with the broader understanding of social interaction and worldly knowledge.  It was almost like they had never seen Americans before.



We were given the option to explore for an hour in the shopping area close by but opted instead for a cup of the Vietnamese coffee that we had heard all about.  All the coffee shops had these tiny table and tiny seats...part of the culture there where the people squat to rest....and enjoyed some wonderful strong coffee.







Our next stop was at the remnants of a prison that was used by the French for subversives during their occupation, and then by the North Vietnamese during the Vietnam War.  It was nicknamed the "Hanoi Hilton".  The most famous prisoner was the senator John McCain who spent time here after being shot down over Hanoi.



In the time of the French occupation, prisoners were shackled by their ankles.

Or, sometimes


their fate was worse...

Evidently the American pilots were treated a bit better.


After most of the prison was torn down, this tower was built in its place.

Then off to a nice lunch of traditional Vietnamese food




And then back on the road for another wet bus drive home. Most definitely worth the trip!







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