Mekong Delta and Much More

Until the 16th century, the Mekong Delta was an area of marshlands and forest. Today, it's a network of canals so the Vietnamese can grow rice, tobacco, maize and soybeans. For the last 3 days we explored the rice production fields in southern rural Vietnam. Rice is the single most important crop with over 70% of the population working to produce it. We also traveled by boat to an island for an overnight stay at a hostel. We bunked up in cabins built on stilts in the water with large insects nets covering our beds. Throughout the night, small canoe-shaped boats with deafening motors, much like the sound of helicopter blades, traversed up and down the tributary. The students drank too much Tiger Beer while swapping stories with the locals and drowned out most of the noise. The stars in the Mekong are brighter here than anywhere else in the world as are the size of Vietnam's snakes. I held a live 16 foot python around my neck and then drank a potent 6-month mixture of snake wine. Real snake blood makes for a lethal concoction of 42% alcohol and has a surprisingly mild taste. After swimming the dirty Mekong and seeing the floating markets we relaxed for a 40 minute message. Little did we know that a rub down here is merely the beginning of much more. I insisted on just a massage and got it but the male students had slightly more trouble convincing the scantily-dressed ladies the same. Bashful boys rushed out of there like the place was on fire! I've discovered another word that makes me giggle uncontrollably, the currency is called the "dong". Need I say more? Tomorrow we explore the Cu-Chi tunnels with memories of intense fighting, bombing and destruction during the American War (Vietnam War). This should shock us back into a serious tone after a 3-day stretch of gaiety and good fun.