Hue (pronounced like the protein: "whey")

We went to visit the Imperial City in Hue today and the mausoleum of the King yesterday. I was struck by how similar kings are treated in all societies.

In the Imperial City in Hue, which very similar to Tienanmen Square in Beijing, the king sits on a throne to receive his attendants, just like at Versailles and in the UK. The mandarins, who are the non-noble businessmen and politicians, are only able to come to the throne room when invited.

The mausoleum, several miles away, is almost as grand as the king's house. The belief is that a Buddhist will come back again, so you provision them by leaving gifts of food. Instead of celebrating the birthday, you honor the day of death.

Our guide Quyen telling about destruction in the Imperial City in 1968

The Imperial City was heavily damaged during the Vietnam war; during the Tet Offensive, there was vicious hand to hand combat. It was strange to be standing in the very spot that we bombed 45 years ago.

-- Joan