An Easy Ride(r) in the Countryside...

Dalat, Vietnam

June 24, 2007
N 11°56.529
E 108°26.398

The American Family minus Teddy (she had to take a sick-day) headed out with the Easy Riders again today. This time we were with four of the original Riders. Our leader explained that the four of them were part of the Easy Riders back in 1993-94 and have been giving tours longer than any of the other “young kids”.

We didn’t really know what to expect during our countryside tour after seeing what we thought were a lot of great sights yesterday, but as soon as the wind blew in our faces on the motorcycles and my guide started talking to me, I knew we were in for another treat.

The Riders we had today all fought with the Americans during the war. As each one of them had an opportunity to lead the tour we heard their affection towards Americans as well as their personal impacts and hardships during the war.

One of the men spoke to us under the canopy of a greenhouse, surrounded by carnations and roses about the hardships of the war upon his family. He had tears in his eyes as he described the shot fired by an AK-47 that struck his brother in the heart, killing him instantly, and clearly tearing apart the heart of the man in front of us at the same time. It was a very personal memory he chose to share with us most likely because we are Americans.

As we rode from stunning Pagodas, walked through pine forests, visited greenhouses full of flowers, silk factories, and coffee plantations, the men, all in their late 50s/early 60s passionately talked about the improvements in their country, and possibilities for their children and grandchildren. Excitement in their voices, they talked about the recent visit by George W. Bush to Vietnam and the reciprocal invitation for the president of Vietnam to visit Washington DC. Showing again yesterday was yesterday, and today is today… who knows what tomorrow will bring. But it was clear these guys hope Vietnam will continue to heal and tomorrow will bring prosperity.

Vietnam will definitely be a different place in the near future. They still have a lot of improvements to make, especially around human rights and environmental concerns, but it appears everyone (at least in the South) has the desire to make it a better place tomorrow.