We got up early today to go the Chu Chi village to see the Chu Chi Tunnels. They were a system of tunnels and rooms the the Chu Chi villages lived in for 20 years and aided in defeating America. The tour was interesting but a little eerie to see the view from another side. They showed us video all about how they killed Americans. They had tons of different traps. Our guide reminded us that to them it is the American War, not the Vietnam War.

Going through one of the tunnels was intense even though it has been increased to accommodate larger Westerners. I got accidentally kicked in the face at one point and I just wanted out. Little did I know I could have gotten out earlier but we took the entire tunnel to the end. Our guide was surprised we went so far. I was covered in sweat when we got out but luckily I didn't have bloody nose. We got to try tapioca root, which was the main diet staple for those living in the tunnels. I thought it tasted just like yucca root.

The war is still an ever present part of the society here but there isn't resentment towards America because we buy what they make. The money they receive for the products they make aids their development. The growth in Vietnam is one of the fastest in Asia, just trailing China at around 8-9%, and many jobs are moving to Vietnam from China. We learned yesterday that the inflation rate is over 18%. That means if you put money in the bank it earns 18% interest just sitting there! On the flip side, if you need a loan it's going to cost you a whopping 22%. Our guide told us that people don't put money in banks here because they don't trust them. The Vietnam lost all their money in banks when the French lost control and then again when the Americans lost control of the country. We couldn't use credit cards hardly anywhere, its all cash, but they will take American dollars as well as their own currency.

We went to the market again tonight and had some pho, the national dish of Vietnam. I was excited they had hand made lemon sodas too. We also tried Saigon beer, which has 5% alcohol, and it was quite good. We wanted to go to this bar called Apocalypse Now, but we were too tired. The bar is supposedly modeled after a war zone. The bar is a bunker, the tables are gun powder barrels and there is barb wire decor. Too bad I didn't go but I bet it was more of a place a guy would enjoy.