Dalat in 1968 That was the year I graduated from high school in Malaysia...and then had a student deferment while in college until I graduated in 1972. By then the war was winding down and they didn't get to my draft number. However, I returned to Vietnam in 1973 as a civilian, as head of design for all U.S. construction in Vietnam. Now, back to 1968 and the Tet offensive in February. We received word that six missionaries had been killed in Ban Me Tout...hiding in a ditch and the NVA just tossed grenades into the ditch. Their children were informed at our school so that was a pretty terrible time for all of us. We also heard that the NVA had gone to our former school in Dalat to kill the missionaries there...Hanoi Radio had even made the announcement that the mission was successful. However, The missionaries and their small children...39 total...had hidden in the storage room behind the gymnasium/chapel...the door of which was covered by purple drapes that extended the length of the wall. Everyone, even the babies, were quiet while they heard the NVA searching for them outside. One of my former math teachers, a Canadian named Mrs. Hall, was eight months pregnant and soon started contractions. Anyway, the NVA left and Mrs. Hall's contractions stopped. Back to Ban Me Thout...the sole survivor in the ditch was Mrs. Ziemer. Her son was a U.S. Navy helicopter pilot in Vietnam. He eventually became an admiral and commander of the Norfolk Naval Base. He recently served as both President Bush's and President Obama's lead for the eradication of malaria around the world. Another surviving son of the Thompsons who were both killed, David, became a medical missionary in Gabon, Africa. I could go on and on...perhaps when we get together again!
No Mischief and No Mekong! I have been in contact with my lawyers... Oh, and since I now own the intellectual property rights to the three dots they seem to think I have another case if you don't immediately desist propagating these knock-offs to the world.
No Mischief and No Mekong! Well, well...a challenge...a slap across the face from the Nomad...with a feather...a plasticene arrow from behind the fire wall. In anticipation of you attempting to nick the "mischief" and the "Mekong", I'm pleased to advise I hold the intellectual property to any mischief there...jointly held with my partners Mr Cockle & Mr Camel...a formidible triumvirate, trio, some may call a triad. All will be revealed after Intermission...no play complete in the first half. And as to my 3 dots...they know where their real home is...and so do you!!!
Yes, Nick...come here! Thanks for sharing your wonderful time together. As for memories, I also remember that my draft number was 107...not a number one ever forgets in a life time. I went to school in Dalat, Vietnam from 1956 to 1964, and didn't want to go back to fight for something that was a total mistake. I eventually did go back to my school, taking my son there in 2009. We were received very warmly. Not only are the Vietnamese very resourceful and determined, they are also very forgiving.
Mixed messages Sounds like your connections with Vietnam come with mixed messages Bob...schooling, draft, forgiving people. Schooled in Da Lat during the early stages of the Vietnam War...stories in those years I'm sure. Da Lat was scene of a major battle in 1968, 4 years after you finished school. I'm interested in hearing your memories of your time there.
Great Cai Dai Pictures... ...the others were okay too and your tales of the tunnels were riveting.
But how could anyone be serious about a religion which has saints like Joan of Arc and Victor Hugo - or Julius Caesar the Roman geezer, married three times, a dictator, and an invader (of my country no less!)? Okay, he was a direct descendant of the goddess Venus, he invented our calendar and gave us the month of July - but a Saint? Nah!
Great Cai Dai Pictures... Thanks for commenting Mike. As to Cai Dai...surely 6 million adherents can't be wrong...and maybe their saints or revered figures are not as unusual as those from many other religions when you think about it.
Wow!! Thanks for commenting Bob. Having visited the Sydney Opera House with us you know how splendid it is. Now you see it in many new lights. My pleasure to share it.
Panorama party I just watched your panoramas several times through before i could even read the blog--what incredible fun! And live music and a Documentary Photographic Festival (my fave)! My, what a fine city you have--thanks for sharing the colors!
Panorama party Thanks for commenting Tara. As one who lives among panoramic beauty every day in the paradises you call home...a taste of Sydney by comparison. Now we have Sydney Film Festival with 100s of films from around the World on show...so the culture continues in this corner of the globe. Gotta say it's nice to live in such an innovative city.
Colouring the city with creativity & inspiration Wow! Sorry we missed this amazing display. The opera house remains a standout among man's architectural wonders. It can dazzle and indeed it looks like it did. Whoops, no batteries, bummer. Yep, better have them ready next year! Fantastic photos! Amazing!
Colouring the city with creativity & inspiration Thanks for commenting MJ. The Opera House always inspires me...but to see her showcased as in my pics...the thrill will stay with me for a long time.
THANKS TYNNIE Glad you liked it. I make no apologises for the number of shots of the Opera House. They are all amazing. Oh if I could make a mozaic...oh to be technical enough to do so.
gender complementarity Denise drives, Dave charges. Next year you'll be walking your tripod into the City. By the way, there are anti-dumping laws in most countries...I've never seen so many pictures of the same thing!
I've never seen so many pictures of the same thing Nor have I...about half the pictures I got...Denise's mainly different. Gives a good idea how amazing the light show on the Opera House was...a handful of shots does not do it justice. It was amazing & spectacular. Some nights it was so crowded that there were safety concerns.
Enjoying Vietnamese hospitality There is me, with my mouth full of delicious Vietnamese food sitting in a room with people I do not know. Great memories of our week together - look forward to the next installment.
Enjoying Vietnamese hospitality The wonder of the internet...that I know a man known as the Travel Camel...who reads my stories about himself and his travels in Vietnam with people he met through the ether...reading in Tajikistan or some other Stan...who will ride a camel in Afghanistan. Enjoyment comes in many forms. Wow...wow...wow...what a life you lead!
the Cockle!! Ah the Cockle, Andrea...whether by ghost, apparition or happy memory...he is larger than life. More to come...watch this space. More of the Cockle will be revealed.
My wife Denise & I like to travel "on paths less travelled" that capture our imagination, inspire my photography & where we mix with locals & remain safe.
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Keep Smiling
Mike Fossey
The Saints Come Marching In...
I've just discovered that William Shakespeare is also on the list of Cao Dai saints. Now you're talking! :0)