Yes, We're Still Alive. Ho Chi Minh, Still Dead.

Okay. We realize it's been a while since we posted, but rest assured, we are still alive. O. continues to recover slowly. In fact, she has had enough energy to do a few things other than teach.

This weekend, for example, we went once more to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum. Once again we were balked in our quest to see Uncle Ho himself. The mausoleum itself is open very limited hours which aren't posted and seem to change depending on who you talk to. Anyway, we've never timed it right. Last time we did get to see the museum. This time we were able to tour the house that Ho built and see a few artifacts from his life.

This Friday and Saturday were a national holiday in Vietnam commemorating the reign of the Hung Kings, a dynasty that ruled Vietnam for over 2000 years, ending in about 250 BCE. This was apparently a golden age in Vietnamese history. The streets were heavily beflagged for the holiday and as part of the run-up to the bigger May Day festival next weekend. We will have Friday and Monday off then, which is lovely except for the part about not getting paid.

The mausoleum was decked with smart new hammer-and-sickle flags.

The house of Ho is a tranquil shrine with lake and mature trees.

And a closely-confined peacock.

Honest Ho's House of Used Cars.

Ho's study.

Maybe next time we'll figure out when the mausoleum itself is open.

P.