One look at the initial climb, however, and I knew that I was in deep trouble. Now I know how the VC held out there for all those years. It is very steep. There are no steps, no smooth trail, not even a decent elevator. It is a pile of big rocks.
Every step is a climb up a bolder, pulling one's self up with arms, vines, and in one place, a rope.
I took a look and announced that I had revised my goal yet again, and intended to climb only 10 meters above the pagoda. That 10 took more out of me than I expected, but renewed my resolve for another 10 meters only, and another, and another. Some young VietNamese men pass us by. We came across a group resting from time to time, hanging off limbs and rocks. We came upon a little ledge, and there again was the one-armed woman.