After spending a week in the bustle and hustle of Hanoi, we head out to visit an ancient farming village which has managed to stay relatively intact over the past 100 or so years.
The ubiquitous triangular hats and water lotus pads. We find out that lotus flowers yield a delicious and nutritionally valuable “lotus nut” ,called “flying nuts”, based on the fact that when they are ready for consumption, they literally fly out of the pods.
The village is self sustaining in terms of its food supply. One of its crops is peanuts, seen here drying under the sun in front of the communal house.
The communal house is a large open air structure, with smooth wooden floor that makes a perfect yoga space.
Not being one to stay on the periphery, Peta pokes her head into a doorway and gets us invited into the home of one of the village farmers.
Once inside the gate, it is a entire universe that reveals itself. First, dogs, puppies and a large water buffalo guard the entrance. Also on the property are white pigeons and a whole slew of yellow ducklings.
Vietnamese people revere their ancestors and in fact keep them an active part of their home life. Each house has a type of “altar” where personal items, family pictures and religious artifacts are displayed.
This 2 year old boy initially shy in his mother’s arms, eventually warmed to what may be the first non vietnamese he encountered in his home.
Son Tay ancient Citadel, built in 1822. This historical, architectural gem made for an unexpected stop on the way back to Hanoi.
These “parasols” are used during buddhist processions.
Did you just get motorcycles and drive out into the countryside? Nobody objected when you went into the communal house and did headstands on the carpet? Oh, and Pete just opened a random door and said YooHoo? I love this blog. But I have so many questions!
Took a car and driver, because this was the most cost effective, and distance too far, and too hot and humid to go by motorbike… But motorbikes are great for getting around in the city of hanoi. Communal house is one gorgeous, large open space under roof and there was no one there. Just us. Then suddenly there appears, seemingly out of nowhere, an 80 year old man, who spreads out a rug for us and brings us tea. We sit down and enjoy a cuppa together.
In terms of being invited into the house, I was standing at the entrance looking at the puppies who were barking their little heads off and that brought the owners to see what the commotion was all about… I motioned that I wanted to pet the puppies and eventually they opened the doors, gave us a tour of the property, which has its own little lake for fish as well, and invited us into the house for yet more tea. Keep the questions coming…
Did you just get motorcycles and drive out into the countryside? Nobody objected when you went into the communal house and did headstands on the carpet? Oh, and Pete just opened a random door and said YooHoo? I love this blog. But I have so many questions!
Took a car and driver, because this was the most cost effective, and distance too far, and too hot and humid to go by motorbike… But motorbikes are great for getting around in the city of hanoi. Communal house is one gorgeous, large open space under roof and there was no one there. Just us. Then suddenly there appears, seemingly out of nowhere, an 80 year old man, who spreads out a rug for us and brings us tea. We sit down and enjoy a cuppa together.
In terms of being invited into the house, I was standing at the entrance looking at the puppies who were barking their little heads off and that brought the owners to see what the commotion was all about… I motioned that I wanted to pet the puppies and eventually they opened the doors, gave us a tour of the property, which has its own little lake for fish as well, and invited us into the house for yet more tea. Keep the questions coming…