Where in the world is Mr. Alford?
South, they explored the amazing limestone towers of Tam Coc by bicycle and crawled through the Vinh Moc tunnels of Quang Tri, a monument to the resiliency of the Vietnamese People. To the famous former military base Khe Sanh, the site of an infamous battle of the American/Vietnam War, Mr. Alford and Jenny were given a different perspective of a conflict that defined their parents' generation. Through the city of Hue, the former Capital of Vietnam and the home of the impressive Kinh Thanh Hue (Imperial City), they continued south to Hoi An, one of oldest ports in Southeast Asia. With their backpacks full of hand-tailored clothes, Mr. Alford and Jenny headed east towards Laos, into the mountains of Dalat. With their witty motorcycle guide Mr. Viet, Mr. Alford and Jenny zipped down muddy mountain roads lined with men braking stones by hand, through expansive fields of coffee, enormous greenhouses of colorful flowers, and vast plantations of mulberries, which are grown to feed the region's thriving silkworm industry.
Back to the lowlands and the beaches of Mui Ne, Mr. Alford and Jenny swam in the warm, albeit rubbish laden waters of the South China Sea and then boarded a bus for a long ride into the bustling Vietnamese city formerly known as (and still frequently referred to) Saigon.
Mr. Alford can no longer be found in Vietnam, although he is still located on the Indochina Peninsula. His currently location was built in the 12th Century AD by King Suryavarman II as a Hindu Temple, but subsequently became a center of worship for Theravada Buddhism in the 13th century. This structure is the largest religious monument in the world and appears on the flag of the country in which Mr. Alford now resides.
Can you guess where in world is Mr. Alford? Correct answers in this week's mystery location will include both the name of the country and monument at which Mr. Alford stands in the photo above. Submit your answers to the Where in the World is Mr. Alford box in the Brookside Library and Mr. Rodgers will soon be drawing a lucky name for a great prize.
As the school year draws to close, as well as Mr. Alford's year of travel, he would like to invite all of his students to reflect on their good fortune. Traveling in Southeast Asia, among some of the poorest countries in the world, has helped Mr. Alford gain perspective on how very lucky he is to live in a country like the United States and be part of a school community such as Brookside Elementary. One of the most unpleasant aspects of Mr. Alford's travels has been encountering children who don't attend school because they must work to support their families, or are so poor that they spend their days rooting through garbage for items of value or begging on the streets. These children do not live in homes with running water, flushing toilets or reliable electricity. They do not play on soccer teams, take dance lessons or play musical instruments. For many of these children, the primary concern in their lives is the next time they will eat.
Mr. Alford is thankful and lucky to be a Bluejay, and so are all of his students!
Kloshe konaway
Kloshe nanitch
Mr. Alford
Mr. Alford's Hmong guide Xi in the misty mountains of Sapa.
This little Hmong boy was certainly weary of Mr. Alford as he hadn't encountered many westerners with red beards in his young life.
Many people in Vietnam row boats with their feet!
Vietnam bicycle taxi!
The impressive Imperial City of Hue.
The former Soviet Union provided extensive military aid to North Vietnam during the American/Vietnam War. This Mig-21 fighter jet is an example of that support.
The former Khe Sanh Combat Base was one of many US military outposts built along the 17th parallel, the former dividing line between North and South Vietnam. Khe Sanh was also the site of one of the largest battles of the Vietnam War.
The Ho Chi Minh trail was a was a network of paths, roads, rivers, tunnels and trails that funneled military supplies to guerrilla fighters in the South of Vietnam. Much of those supplies were transported via bicycle.
The Vin Moc Tunnels were dug by hand over 30 meters deep in the ground. They included living quarters, kitchens, wells, bathrooms and hospitals. Over 15 children were born in the tunnels between 1965-1972.
Vesak, or Buddha Day commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Guatama. All over Vietnam, these colorful flags announce the celebration.
Mr. Alford couldn't help but have some have some hand-tailored cloths made in Vietnam. Ms. McGillivray and Mr. Alford are about the only two people in the world that can pull off this color!
Po Nagar was built in the 1st Century AD a Hindu Temple. Today it is a site of pilgrimage for Buddhist worshipers.
No! I said I wanted a 100 bucks!!!
Born to be wild.
Vietnam highway construction. For eight hours a day, under the scorching sun, these men brake granite boulders into small uniform blocks using only simple hand tools. They are much tougher than Mr. Alford will ever be!
Linda the pet monkey.
The Royal Family of the Country in which Mr. Alford now resides lives at this palace.
Po Nagar is the national sport of the country in which Mr. Alford now resides.
Mr. Alford and his main squeeze Jenny!
