A WEEKEND IN GIAO THUY NAM DINH - Revisited The road leading to the ferry terminal is scenic; the sunset on this beautiful autumn evening makes me elated of the freedom, away after another week in hell. The soft and distance smell of the wood smoke from the burning paddy stalks filled my nose, the smell of freedom and openness. The journey is long, and will take at least another two hours before we will reach Phuong’s home. She was riding as the driver, and me the pillion, the motorbike is laden with luggage. I have my backpack, and my camera, while Phuong has her luggage to ‘ve que’. All these with the burden and weight of both of us, it is a wonder that the motorbike can move so smoothly. We pass through the familiar path off the small city limits, weaving through the outskirts. We of course ran smacked into the motorbike jam of 6.00pm on an early weekend. Every folks working in the slum city is now rushing to go home and spend a quiet weekend in away from the gloom and glum. The road leading to the ferry point is getting narrower, and certain portion is just earth path. Still the traffic is heavy and as we approached the ferry terminal, we missed the ferry. We have all the time in the world, so we waited for the next ferry, and we were the first in queue. The setting sun reflected its rays on the water, making the river crimson yellow. In a few moments, the sun will set, and darkness once again envelope the good earth. We managed to cross the other bank, when the sun sets. It was a beautiful autumn evening. Passing through small hamlets and villages, over small bridges and narrow lanes, at last we reached Phuong’s home in Giao Thuy. Phuong had a brief introduction to her parents and younger sister. Her father is a humble person and talks in a very soft manner. Her mother is jolly and friendly, laughing, making me very much at home. The house is in Giao Thuy village, a three storey new building. It was clean, bright and very comfortable. I was led to the guestroom to unload my luggage, and Phuong prepare for my bath. The water was cool, and it refreshes my tired spirit. Dinner was a wonderful, food that I loved most, pig innards in mam tom, loin meat, and preserved vegetable. The meal was wholesome and delicious. Of course, as usual in all rural countryside of Viet Bac, we eat sitting on the floor. My back was complaining, but my stomach was happy. As the darkness of the night falls on Giao Thuy, the traffic lessens on the roads, and we can hear familiar sounds of night creatures. We sat by the communal table, I and Phuong’s family chatted on a lot of topics, our life, our past and also our expectations. It is wonderful drinking tra cup after cup, making me drunk with nostalgia. Village folks sleep early so by 9.00am we all hit the sack. Phuong help me to open up the mosquito net and close the window for the night. The autumn chill especially in the countryside is always real. I fell fast asleep, dreaming of the stars and dreaming of Noel, my son. Four o clock in the morning, and I was awaken by the sound of pigs squeaking. It is time to wake up, to see something that I have never seen before in my 50 years of life. Phuong father owns a pig pen, and is also the village’s pig slaughterer. Every early morning, they will prepare for the cutting of pigs for the morning market. It was a scène that was captured into my mind. The pigs were cut and will be ready for distribution and also for Phuong’s small stall outside the house. Soon the sun began to rise, and I had a slow stroll nearby the village. The pass came back to me, when I was a small boy, and the mornings are always a start to life with eagerness. Breakfast was served by Phuong’s mother and we tuck in again into fresh pork and ‘bun’. Downing a glass of café sua da and I am ready to explore the countryside. We travel on two motorbikes, me and Phuong’s father in one, while she and her sister in another. As we travel, we pass many scenic and beautiful paddy plots with cottages and streams. Giao Thuy is beautiful, and everywhere, paddy fields as the eye can see. Quat Lam beach, is actually not so much of a beach, it is a place where the waves of the gulf splash and lash against the dykes. Not a place to swim, but surely it is a wonderful place to see the sea at her wildest. Salt water splashed into my face, and again, all these brought back more memories of my past. Early in the autumn morning and the dyke are still deserted. We visited the shrimp cultivation farms, miles and miles of it, producing shrimps for the export and local markets. It was a photographer’s heaven, with so much to see and so much to snap. On the way back, we past some very large salt pans, producing salt and other minerals from the sea. The land is flat and the salt pans stretch miles for miles. Travelling and nostalgia always make me hungry, and by the time we reach Phuong’s home, lunch was almost ready. I spend some time to download my photos taken into my notebook, and also transfer to Phuong’s computer. Every photo, every shot is backed with the happy moments, the joy and sweet memories. Afternoon, and soon I have to leave this wonderful village, Giao Thuy in Nam Dinh. Staying just a night with this humble family helps me again to see the realness of life, and to savor every aspect of life in beautiful Vietnam. This humble family, who are my friends once again proved to me that country folks are more gentle, down to earth and open their arms for me. Unlike life in the small city, ruthless, heartless and cruel. Phuong took me by motorbike to the ben xe and made sure that I am safely on board, and she again wave an innocent goodbye to. My friend, thank you so much. The true and honest friendship you offered me will be one of those that, over time be gold. I shall always remember this short trip, and with it I will always remember that common folks make the best of friends. Cest la vie.
Posted on: Wed, 26 Jun 2013 08:47:42 +0000