Copyright 2005 -- Rachel Saunders
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Hoi An: History--> Previous --> Next --> Home --> More Adventures --> vietnam Index |
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April
19th, 2005: |
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Continued: Evidently during the war, Hoi An was spared from damage by both sides in the combat because of its beauty and charm. It is similar to the story of the German commander who was ordered to destroy Paris upon his departure, but couldn't. In any case, Hoi An as a result looks very much like it did a hundred years ago. I went to a museum that had a bunch of photos from the 30s and included views of the Japanese bridge which was built in the 17th century and some of the oldest houses around. |
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Journal
Continued: Also, many of the families still live in the old houses that they have lived in for something like 5 or 6 generations. Not always a huge feat when at least 4 generations live in the house at the same time I guess, but no matter. I went into one house that was 350 years old, and the old man gave me a tour of the place. He showed my the picture of his G-G-G-great grandfather... or portrait really. |
Journal
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Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. : |
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Continued: In the back in the open kitchen, his granddaughter and great-granddaughter were making dinner including the specialty of Hoi An-- white rose. It is a rice paper dumpling filled with a shrimp and spice paste. I have personally tried them, and can vouch for their tastiness. I took some pictures of the littlest new addition to the household. She was simply adorable and about 1.5. She was eating a healthy meal of rice soup with water spinach. There are some very good eating habits here. There are heaps of American treats that litter the corner stands, but I am increasingly getting the feeling that only tourists buy them. I haven't once seen a Vietnamese person imbibing a coke or snacking on an Oreo. |
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Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. : |
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Continued: Yesterday started slow, as Cristel had become quite ill. Either due to the fact that we forgot to take the garlic pills, or maybe they don't work for her. In any case, we left our little guest house that was $12 for both of us to go to the luxe place a friend of hers recommended that had Aircon and a bathroom with all the trimmings. A place that would be very comfy for a person under the weather. So I negotiated a good rate... $35 for both of us... in a place that is paradise on earth. It has these fabulous gardens and a beautiful pool and an extensive buffet breakfast for free. I have decided while we are here to fill up on breakfast and have fruit for lunch or something. Gotta get my money's worth. |
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Journal Continued:
I was on my own for most of the day as a result and my first stop was a pre-k government run school. It was amazing. All of the working families dropped their little ones off at the school ages 1- 5 and could do what they needed to do. There were 4 classes of varying ages and each class had 4 teachers. I showed up around lunch and nap time for the different groups. the youngest were still eating, another group was tidying up from lunch -- picking up their personal towels, cup and toothbrush from a special stand to brush their teeth. It was so cute to wash them brush their teeth along this trough like sink all brushes going up and down in unison, spit in unison, sip in unison, spit in unison, repeat. |
| Right: The
Japanese bridge, built in the 1400s. There was a rich international population
in Hoi An as a center for trade. |
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Journal
Continued: In the nap room the kids were lying on bamboo mats and my mere appearance caused an uproar. They were screaming and yelling hello and waving. The teacher yelled and then there was silence. But they continued to wave. I have to say, Vietnam doesn't seem to bad for the kids here. They seem very healthy and happy. One little girl had squeaky shoes that squeaked like a mouse with each step. |
| Right: A closeup
of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's
tomb. Not a bad place to grow up... |
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Left: Rice
paper sheets, made by steaming the milky batter over a drum of boiling
water. They are then dried in the sun on these beautiful woven platforms.
Below: Two lovely ladies making their way through town in their national dress, hair gracefully pulled back and as always... hats. : |
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Continued: Then came the shopping and the few sites. I also sat for a while along the river, which is a little dirty and grimy. I wandered around most of the day, finding delightful little presents and such. Today was a little more of the same, although Cristel joined me this time, having kicked the stomach ache. Perhaps it was the heavy doses of garlic. Perhaps it just ran its course. We went to several more houses and a Chinese community center from a long time ago. It was just as though the Chinese community had done their best to bring a little of china here. They even had created a sculpture garden of the great wall. It was complete with dragons and Chinese statues and more. |
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Left: Peace, Prosperity and Happiness. This symbol is displayed prominently all over Vietnam. : |
| Right: A closeup
of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's
tomb. Not a bad place to grow up... |
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Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. : |
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Continued: Since between 1 and 4 it is sooo hot, it is siesta time. So Cristel and I start out around 6 am and wander and do stuff and then siesta. We reemerge to more activity after it cools a bit and stay out. Life here stops during siesta more or less. The families are still running their shops, sort of, just from their beds in the room behind the main shop. I guess theft isn't a problem. We have therefore decided to learn from the locals. We will also rest during the hot hours, cus we can. Tomorrow, we have planned a trip to china beach and marble mountains. There is also a town nearby where they do the ceramic stuff... We might go there as well. Depending on.... a whim I guess. |
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Left: Contemplating life no doubt, two gentlemen sit outside of the tomb amongst the pleasant grounds. : |
| Right: A closeup
of a baby monkey who resides full time on the verdant grounds of Akbar's
tomb. Not a bad place to grow up... --> Previous --> Next --> Home --> More Adventures --> vietnam Index |
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