Took a taxi along the raised road that ran through paddy fields on the way to My Son. A walk along a rickety bridge and a jeep ride took us to the Cham Towers set in jungle undergrowth in a basin surrounded by hills and Cat Tooth mountain. It was hot. We were sweating ... even the hills were sweating and sparkling in the sunlight. In this setting it was not difficult to imagine what it was like 20 odd years ago, carrying supplies and a rifle, and wondering what that russling noise was in the grasses ahead. Grasshoppers going absolutely bonkers in the undergrowth and dark lizards with pearlesent raindbow skin scurrying among the rocks.
Back at the taxi we were reminded of what a ridiculous place Vietnam is. When the cars reverse they play a tune. Our car played ´Happy Birthday´ to remind you that you were being run over ... and if it was your birthday, bonus!
In town the girls went to pick up the clothes that they had made at the tailors – you could get a suit made for about 25 US dollars. They were very happy ... so happy that you could already begin to see the signs of a shopping frenzy evolving ... frothing mouth ... histeria ... a lustful look in the eyes. Matthias and I glanced at each other, hid our credit cards and slowly dragged the girls screaming out of the shop.
|
