Ngoc Hoang Pagoda this morning was honestly a really interesting experience because I grew up with some exposure to Buddhism as a kid, and when I traveled in China I got to see temples, monks, and different monasteries. Vietnam’s Buddhist representation is on a much smaller level, but perhaps it made it more local and relatable. The pagoda isn’t a huge tourist destination people drive across the country for. It’s a neighborhood place. Locals were walking in, lighting incense, saying a quick prayer, and walking right back out into their day. Buddhism culture is interesting and I learned quite a bit from this trip. I think Vietnam places a bit more emphasis on  impermanence and on being present instead of always reaching for the next thing. It is also a lot more based on different deities than Chinese Buddhism. In general, I think American culture could adopt some of the teachings we learned, such that life is not always about the next milestone. 

I wasn’t able to make it to the War Museum this afternoon due to some extenuating circumstances, so I can’t speak to the specific exhibits everyone else saw. However, Colonel Moore recommending a fallen North Vietnamese soldier for a medal was very interesting when I heard it from my peers. Two soldiers on opposite sides of a conflict can still recognize and respect each other’s courage even in death. After everything we’ve already learned on this trip: Cu Chi tunnel communities and the way people here talk about the war with surprisingly little bitterness, this particular quote makes me feel sympathetic towards both sides. The people fighting the war, especially in this one, do not want to fight. The significance of this war wasn’t the politics, it hardly changed anything after all, but more about how people were able to build each other back up afterward.

Later today, I went out to get gelato, and it might’ve been the most photogenic dessert I’ve had on the trip. Shaved ice on the bottom, a generous scoop of mango gelato on top, and fresh mango slices sliced quite elegantly on the sides. The mango gelato was rich and creamy and slightly tart as you continued to bite.