Visiting Minh Mang's Tomb

This morning, instead of lecturing about Minh Mang in the classroom, we hopped on the school van and toured the second Nguyen king's (r. 1820-1839) favorite hang-out spot and eventual tomb. Once there, I manage to get everyone while they were still fresh to pose around in the heat for a couple of group shots. I'm in a set of others we took with my slr camera and tripod, but they are not ready yet. Here is the gang of 12.

Following the morning visit, we had our first weekly exam and then I embarked on a series of missions to help set up students with their independent research projects. Genie Yoo is studying how to play "dan bau" a one-stringed instrument native to VN. Collin Radokovik is studying about American attempts to reform education in Vietnam in the 1960's, especially their activities in Hue. And Giosep Vo is studying the history of the Catholic Church in Vietnam, especially in Hue where there is a very large church designed by the architect Ngo Thuc Vien who built the very modern-looking Presidential Palace of Ngo Dinh Diem. Some of the other students will be makiing their connectiosn next week. Connie Chu is going to meet with a doctor who works extensively on Agent Orange issues. Anna Nguyen is heading up our group's charitable contribution to an orphanage and will then work with another student traveling out to visit the orphanage. Hue Pham and a few others will be participating in a cooking class, where I think Hue plans to spend more time shadowing the cook and learning about how restaurants are run in Hue. On MOnday I'm taking Amy Linh Le out to visit Thien Mu Pagoda where she has expressed an interest in learning more about Buddhism in Hue and the Vu Lan Festival.

I took this picture below from one of the elevated pavilions where the king used to enjoy music, receive his ministers, and spend time with his many wives. The wood carving and detail is especially well-preserved in several parts of the compound.