On the way to the airport with my national guides, Mike and Ha, the conversation came around to shopping. I told them that Christy hasn't asked for anything on this trip to Vietnam yet. "Maybe she has everything she needs," I suggested. "Never think like that," Ha replied. "For women, never enough. Always more."
After picking up the Evergreen school group at the airport, and checking into our hotel, I asked the students if anyone was too tired to do a little exploring in small groups. Everyone was up for the adventure.
My small group of students with a bicycle rickshaw manI knew the students were running on adrenalin, and by dinner time there would be nothing left but fumes, so we planned an early dinner - 5:30PM. By 7PM they were falling asleep at the table. There was no need for a bed time or a room check this night.
The Mekong Delta4/21:
It was a full day tour to the Mekong delta today. We started out on a big boat, supplied with fresh coconuts, rambutan, and rose apples. After a tour of the floating market, we went through little water ways in boats for three people, and then we went to a shop/food factory and saw a number of demonstrations: how to make coconut caramels, how to pop rice in a huge wok using really hot black sand, and how to make sweet rice treats. We then had a delicious meal with huge prawns (I tried to convince the students that it wasn't safe to eat them, and I would make sure they were disposed of properly, which no one bought), elephant ear fish wrapped in rice paper with mint, pineapple, star fruit, and cucumber dipped in fish sauce (also delicious), corn and bean soup, and fresh fruit. This was followed by a sampling of many delicious fruits: jack fruit, pomelo, papaya, and pineapple.
Man on a boat
In the floating market, we stopped a pineapple boat and got fresh pineapples for everyone. One student said this was the best pineapple he had ever tasted.
Me with the "pineapple" lady
On top of the "pineapple boat"The students have had a "trip advisory" class once a week, where all kinds of topics related to the Vietnam trip are discussed. They have had a couple of meditation teachers throughout the year, and I use that experience to do guided meditations with the students while in Vietnam.
First guided meditation:
This moment is precious
Every moment is precious
For every moment is an opportunity
We have had a day and a half of "experiencing Vietnam"
And maybe we think that what is happening is that we are experiencing what is "out there"
But everything we are experiencing is in our heads
For there are two trips occurring simultaneously
One is external - what our five senses are sensing
But there is always an interaction between what is happening "out there" and what is happening in our heads
And that is the second trip - the internal one
Every moment is precious because every moment is an opportunity to learn
But what we are really learning about is who we are by the way in which we interact with the world
After a silent meditation for a few minutes, I discussed with the kids about the tendency, when in uncomfortable or unfamiliar situations, to protect yourself through insulation, which could be surrounding yourself with your friends, wanting familiar foods, or watching TV. But the more you can become "vulnerable" by exposing yourself to the experiences of Vietnam, the more complete your experience.
Laundry on the Mekong delta
More laundry on the Mekong
I would like you bring me back some fresh MANGOSTEENS!! ;-)
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