Along the Mekong
Rather than fly from Ho Chi Minh to Cambodia, we decided to take a three day boat cruise through the Mekong river delta. It was lovely to cruise through small village life. They still sustain themselves through rice farms, fishing, and fruit growing. We visited a number of stops along the way.
First stop was the Cai Be floating markets and tour of a rice mill where they make poppring rice for rice krispies and then a small paddle boat through some of the small side canals for lunch. The second day was more markets (I think I have had my fill of markets)...Can Tho wholesale floating market and the Can Tho retail market where they sell everything (rat, field mice, snake, and every part of every animal). They even eat dog in Vietnam even though nearly every family owns one for a pet as well. It is nearly enough to make me a vegetarian after seeing it.
We also visited some unique villages along the way including a floating fishing village where they raise fish under the homes. We got to feed the fish and see how they make the food from vegetables grown in the water and mud from the bottom. Then we visited an ethnic Cham village. The Cham are islamic but still have their own language. There are many Cham villages throughout Vietnam and China. They are also known for their beautiful fabrics and I got 2 great scarves but it was hard to just pick 2.
Rural Vietnam is very poor with most living in houses that leak and look like they may fall apart with a heavy storm. Some probably have judging by the makeshift tarps for roofs or walls. They use the river for everything from sewage, oil run off, and trash to bathing, laundry, washing food, swimming, and fishing. Yet people seemed very happy. The best was to just be on the boat and watch the children run along side us waving and so happy to see us. You would see them laughing and playing in the filthy river. It made my heart go out to them. They won me over.
It is sad to think about my standards even in the hotels I am staying at. I am worried about the thread count of my sheets, an updated modern bathroom, flat screen tvs, free wifi and dont ever forget that I need 4 pillows...1 for my legs, 1 for my arms, 1 for my head, and 1 for Jared. We are used to so many luxuries in our life. Dont get me wrong I am not about to give them up so long as I can still afford them but it makes you think about what is really important.
First stop was the Cai Be floating markets and tour of a rice mill where they make poppring rice for rice krispies and then a small paddle boat through some of the small side canals for lunch. The second day was more markets (I think I have had my fill of markets)...Can Tho wholesale floating market and the Can Tho retail market where they sell everything (rat, field mice, snake, and every part of every animal). They even eat dog in Vietnam even though nearly every family owns one for a pet as well. It is nearly enough to make me a vegetarian after seeing it.
We also visited some unique villages along the way including a floating fishing village where they raise fish under the homes. We got to feed the fish and see how they make the food from vegetables grown in the water and mud from the bottom. Then we visited an ethnic Cham village. The Cham are islamic but still have their own language. There are many Cham villages throughout Vietnam and China. They are also known for their beautiful fabrics and I got 2 great scarves but it was hard to just pick 2.
Rural Vietnam is very poor with most living in houses that leak and look like they may fall apart with a heavy storm. Some probably have judging by the makeshift tarps for roofs or walls. They use the river for everything from sewage, oil run off, and trash to bathing, laundry, washing food, swimming, and fishing. Yet people seemed very happy. The best was to just be on the boat and watch the children run along side us waving and so happy to see us. You would see them laughing and playing in the filthy river. It made my heart go out to them. They won me over.
It is sad to think about my standards even in the hotels I am staying at. I am worried about the thread count of my sheets, an updated modern bathroom, flat screen tvs, free wifi and dont ever forget that I need 4 pillows...1 for my legs, 1 for my arms, 1 for my head, and 1 for Jared. We are used to so many luxuries in our life. Dont get me wrong I am not about to give them up so long as I can still afford them but it makes you think about what is really important.
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