-^-for posterity-^-

saigon with a group of teachers and students from bluffton.

today was full of activity. we went to the large, history and culture museum located right next to the zoo. it is full of glowing tales of earlier civilizations and humiliating occupation and then the thrilling rush of liberation.

later we went off to one of the branches of the american embassy. that specific office was placed on one of the higher floors of an office building. we walked off of the elevator and were greeted by a large, glass, wall bearing the country emblem. thirteen arrows clutched.

we slowly passed through security and were issued red badges that said something important about us not leaving without supervision. we walked through the nice, carpeted, cool offices and i felt like i was in another world.

everyone was rushing around doing very diplomatic things. i'm sure they were all pacifying and soothing and helping and what not. they all had stern looks on their faces and those that smiled must have been gloating over some recent diplomatic victory.


we were sat down and we met a few people working in different sectors. they were representing our country.

the first lady had an odd perspective on vietnam. it was very negative in nature and she couldn't really find anything nice to say. the meeting room felt extremely important but i mustered up some courage to ask a few questions. i'm sure i turned a bit crimson, as i'm not accustomed to disagreeing with professional diplomats, but i think what i said was coherent and understood.

the next two men we met had different perspectives on this country, which i appreciated listening to. i'm glad they're representing the land i happened to be born in instead of the other lady who may have just eaten something that didn't sit well with her earlier.