Here, I was talking with a family friend about former US presidents and trips to Warm Springs, GA (USA) and Hanoi, Vietnam.
LBJ also had a depressive streak, and would sink into long periods of self-loathing and doubt. Apparently his last years in Texas were very melancholic. FDR, on the other hand, was with his lovely mistress in Warm Springs when his days ended. I enjoyed Warm Springs, btw. interestingly enough, while on a trip to Hanoi with my wife in 2006, I saw Ho Chi Minh's home retreat. Although Asian decor, it reminded me in some ways of FDR's Warm Spring house and grounds. I went through Headland public schools and Samford, yet never even knew Ho Chi Minh was a name, much less a human being. Had no idea. Funny how history gets suppressed. - 2020 e-mail
I was e-mailing some family and friends about my travels to Vietnam.
Jimbo and Mackie, I have attached some images you will find to be of some significance. Overall, we had a very favorable impression of Vietnam: friendly people, chilly weather, beautiful lakes, lovely ladies, great shopping, strong coffee and striking landmarks. March 2006
Monica, these are some of our photos. I have visited Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). The Hanoi Hilton is the one where McCain was held. One funny thing that Palin said last night was, "McCain doesn't know what it's like to lose a war." I think those were her words. The irony of that is that he actually does know. We lost the Vietnam War. Of course, I ask Americans all the time about the Vietnam War and very few understand it or know how to discuss it. October 2008
I've traveled to Vietnam twice - both roundtrips from Bangkok. In 2000, I was backpacking, and Ho Chi Minh City (formerly Saigon) was my destination. To read about that experience, click here. Then, in 2006, Kade and I traveled to the capital city, Hanoi. We stayed in the Prince Hanoi Hotel, which we would highly recommend.
From an e-mail I sent from Hanoi:
Hanoi is a fascinating city of 3.5 million people. We are staying in
what's called the Old Quarter, an area rich in history (a thousand years) and
rich in abundant cafes and boutiques. Below is an excerpt from a NY Times
article that underscores the significance of cafes and coffee in Vietnam. One our our favorite hangouts has been Highlands
Coffee. Tonight we had a hazelnut steamer and a white chocolate hot cocoa. Delicious!
The coffee at the Café Pho Co is some of the best in Hanoi, a city that takes its coffee seriously. Unlike the rest of Asia -- a tea-drinking continent, by and large, and a wasteland of instant Nescafé packets for your java-loving Western traveler -- Vietnam has a cafe culture to rival Italy's. Along with the colonial architecture and the fresh baguettes that are still sold on street corners, coffee is one of Vietnam's most pleasant legacies from its years of French rule. - Hanoi's Cafe Society
Click here for some information about some of the lovely temples we saw in the city.
that's me on the upper right, coffee in hand
Kade making a citrus buy
the infamous Hanoi Hilton, where POW John McCain was held
Kade (center) with Vietnamese ladies
doing what I do best
Overall, we had a very favorable impression of Vietnam. Friendly people, chilly weather, beautiful lakes, lovely ladies, great shopping, strong coffee, striking landmarks.
