We took a day trip out to the Cu Chi tunnels to explore the
violent and unnecessary Vietnam War. It is an incredible place filled with
history and ingenious design. The Viet Con was an extremely clever and
resourceful bunch with the tunnels being a labyrinth of mind boggling structure
and foresight. They literally though of everything, including diverting the
smoke from the kitchens to a spot ten metres away so the enemy would not see
it.
The tunnels themselves are tiny. The highest ones are 3m
below ground with some of the deepest being 12m below. Thankfully these are not
open to tourists. In recent years they have been widen so us westerners can fit
our fat behinds through them, but still they are barely 90cm high and roughly
shoulder width. To get through you must bend over double and squat walk through
the 20m or so of twisting tunnel, all the while hoping the Lithuanian man in
front of you doesn’t drop some napalm of his own directly into your face, until
you reach sunlight again. In my case you have a mild panic attack halfway along
and almost convince yourself you are going to die in there, but then Emma prods
you along until you reach sweet, glorious sunlight. You then have the choice to
continue into the tunnels that are 8m underground or take the option of fresh
air and life.
They were an experience to say the least.
