Each day, we do so many things that it’s impossible to share them all with you. But the day I recorded everywhere we ate and drank (with the exception of the pizzeria) was even fuller than usual.
As well as the waterfall, we visited an unusual stone village. The woman in the photo came to chat to us.
We also had the chance to inspect the inside of a homestay in view of Josh’s research for his next book. This was a real homestay, unlike so many which are really hotels dressed up in the local style. We spotted the family tree, gazed at the family shrine and, given the paucity of material objects, were taken aback by the object in the fourth photo.
We enjoyed the view of a bamboo waterwheel although unfortunately it was broken:
Bien bought a knife from a forger in an iron forging village paying in the Vietnamese way:
And thern we had that magical evening on the walking street where all Cao Bang was playing:
OMG extraordinary mix of pleasures
It was a wonderful day and the singing and dancing in the evening, which we hadn’t expected, was just fabulous.
Finding a Karaoke machine perhaps less surprising when you saw the evening festivities? Uncle Ho seems to be a honoured and comforting background presence.
Karaoke a BIG thing in Vietnam apparently and I suspect a bit of a curse in quiet rural villages ( particularly if fuelled by home made rice wine). Uncle Ho is indeed a beaming, reassuring presence – I saw an image of him in a cafe portrayed as an icon
Loving the drying produce
Me too – the combination of corn cobs and drying rice seems to be used widely as decoration, particularly in cute coffee shops
Fantastic portrait, Miriam, such a characterful face and not remotely self-conscious about having her photograph taken, which is unusual even in the age of the selfie. Love the drying produce too – so neat and precise.
She had a fabulous face and lovely skin – didn’t seem at all phased at the photo shoot
I too loved the portrait against the stone wall, and her assured gaze right into the camera. Thanks for all the dance scenes – I couldn’t help wondering who choreographed and rehearsed those masses of people! Maybe they all just learn it on YouTube these days…
I think many of the women go to dance exercise classes – we certainly passed at least one taking place in a community hall as we wandered around the town. I love the fact they they come out on a Saturday night to show their routines..