And so our adventures through a mystical world of culture, history, and vast understanding began. We have done so much and seen so much that the limits of mere language prohibit me from a complete explanation. So instead of writing about places or objects or trivial knick-knacks that are forgotten within a few days, I am going to attempt to reveal something more meaningful, something that took hold of my being while staying here.

What makes us happy? think about it. Is it wealth? status? rank? Or is it our families? our faith? our love? The people in this country, though poorer than my eyes have ever seen, are happy. To see the children run up to me grab my leg and say, "Hello, Hello" it is enough to melt even the most fridged heart. No matter where you are in the world a smile is always understood and laughter more precious than all the jewels in the crown. When you see the children on the street your first instinct is to help them every single one of them. Yet inevitably human nature makes me think, I can't help them all, why should I even try? which brings me to a little story.

Once upon a time in a magical land by the sea, a little girl stumbled upon a very special place. It was a cove that was completely filled with starfish. Yet on this fateful day the tide receded so quickly that the starfish could not keep up, which meant certain death. So the young girl understanding their peril and feeling their pain, began to pick them up one by one and throw them back into the ocean. This seemed to be a futile effort for there were thousands of starfish and she could never save them all. So after a time a bitter old man came up to her and said, why are you wasting your time? do you think you can save them all? it does not matter. she then reponded with a pure innocence rarely seen in this world,"to that one it mattered" as she threw one to safety. "And to that one it mattered" as she tossed another.

So what does this story mean? It portrays the sense that if you feel compassion or sympathy, act upon your emotions for it is these which make us human. And if I see a child on the streets of Saigon pleading for help I will act upon my emotions and follow my heart. You can be sure of that.

So to my family and friends I say farewell, untill we meet again.

Love,
Jack Boice

Mr.Mohan:

First full day in Saigon. Went in the morning to the presidential palace from which South Vietnam under president Thieu conducted the war. It was chilling to see there so many symbols of aggression: stuffed leopards and cheetahs in his office, rugs with dragons on blood-red background, murals with red skies. You could almost hear the war rumbling even thirty yeears later.

Lot of shopping after that, walking around looking for good deals on watches and guitars, sipping coconut juice (some of us) from street vendors who just crack open a coconut and stick a straw in it.

Afternoon after a swim in the rooftop pool overlooking "the other Saigon", we went to the War Museum brought to you by today's Communist Party. On display were captured trophies: U.S. Air Force helicopter, Cessna spy plane, lots of big ground guns, photos of American G.I.'s in rural villages - all with captions of extreme prejudice. Hey, it's their museum. There was even a guillotine there left over from the previous imperialists, the French.

Now 7 AM leaving for the Delta of the Mekong River - three hours by buss, three hours by boat. A lot of sleeping will be done in transit, as we continue to recover from the day and a half it took to get here. A lot of good groupwork (sic) is going on - boundaries falling as we're out of our comfort zones, in Asia.

Frank, my fine friend, would please take out all the extra letterssssss. I gotta go eat. Love ya.