the world for more than it simply is

Beginning from the previous Friday onwards until some time after into the next week is our class trip to Central Viet Nam. Boarding the train around eleven at night was a divergence from the usual travel via bus. I shared the sleeper cabin that night with Brian, Danielle, Michael, and two Vietnamese women on their way to Vinh and Hue. After a good twelve hours or so, we were in Hue–the city where I had been previously in July.

We arrived here on a cloudy morning. The rain falls in intervals and the streets become flooded due to poor drainage. After check-in at Bamboo Hotel, we were treated to a royal lunch consisting of banh it, banh khoai, and others that I will post pictures of at a later time. Afterwards we visited the Citadel (Dai Noi). I have been there previously on my last visit. Not much has changed besides the noticeable fact that reconstruction of this ancient site from the 19th century is moving along smoothly.

Before nightfall hit, the rain started as we stopped by Thu on Wheels to say hello to the owner. A few hours down the road was the traditional Hue music performance aboard a boat on the Perfume River. I think I would like to purchase a traditional Vietnamese instrument or two and ship them back to the states before I leave here. The night concluded with a dinner with Hac and Ngoc at Nha Hang Ong Tao, some time at Why Not Bar, and watching the film I Am a Sex Addict with Nguyet, Kara, and Hac.

The rain continues to fall today. It almost gives time a slower pace. I enjoy it. Since the weather did not permit the boats to run, our collective traveled by van. Thus far, we have been to two tombs and another Van Mieu. In an hour, we will visit the last two.