• Thoughts on Vietnam

    In College, there were several classes about the Vietnam War. Each semester, I tried to get into those classes, but they were always full. I would randomly walk by the classes and listen to the music they would play from that era and peek into the classes and try to watch the videos they were showing. The war had always seemed so despairing and heartbreaking to me. I used to teach English as a second language and my favorite clients were a Vietnamese family. I stayed close with this family for about a year until I moved. I accompanied the family to physicians, shopping, dinner, and the Vietnamese New year celebration in Myrtle Beach; a great time with kind, humble and friendly people. The food was fantastic too! Anyway, when Blake suggested we backpack to Vietnam, I was SO excited. The scenery was culturally amazing and made a lifelong impression. The land and the people are forever in my heart.

    Rice farm – We took a four day tour, arranged by our guest house owner. The tour included a day at a rice farm. That was interesting!

    Rice plant - Mekong Delta

    Rice Processing Plant – Vietnam

    As you can see, the factory was dusty and filthy.

    I had grown up with my grandmother always suggesting to wash your rice before you cook. I understood why once I saw the farm.

    Fish farm – At the fish farm, as you can see, people lived in floating houses on the water with the fish living in cages underneath the house. When you opened the floor door to feed the fish, the fish would constantly jump around to attain the food, as you see in the photo. There were private tours (couples in canoes) and small tour boats like ours floating around and viewing the fish farms. It was unique scenery.

    Vietnam Fish Farm

    Fish Farm Below Floor

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