Monday, April 26
We have a car to take us to Mai Chau valley. Everyone has packaged what it takes three days and two nights. Our large suitcases are in Hanoi. First stop on the outskirts of Hanoi, where we see a silk factory. We saw silk production from pubbe to finished products. There were many who purchased. Some tasted silk caterpillar schnapps, a little sweet but the taste was fine. The biggest problem here is size, since there is not much for big people. We drove towards Hoa Binh, which is the city with the great power which we only see on the way home from Mai Chau. In Mai Chau valley we live in the town of Ban Lac Hoa in which house no one right next to rice fields. In Mai Chau Valley, home to most White Thai. They walked for about 300 years ago from Thailand and settled in this valley. Hoa and her husband are the best cooks in the village. Earlier we had bicycle from Hanoi. Now we can hire them in the village. The other was terribly inconvenient. Already on the first day we do a bike ride. We drive through many villages and see the green rice, which must first be harvested several months later. It is relaxing for body and soul. There is a calmness and peace here in the valley as there is in Hanoi. We had a small hike in the city before we took our first bike ride. When we had our first places where we were sleeping, had lunch ready. A very tasty lunch. Kl. 15:00 started our first tour. Benno and Gerda ran on motorcycles. Steen, Jette and I were on a bicycle. A very beautiful walk. Jette bumped her leg so she could not continue. She biked back, however. As mentioned earlier, is incredibly beautiful. It must be here Carsten Jensen wrote his novel about Vietnam. "You can see the world begin." We ate dinner at. 20.00 and all went early to bed. We start next days earlier.
Mai Chau Valley
Vegetable Mark
Headteacher at the school
School class in Mau Chau
School class in Mau Chau
Pupil at school
All teachers + Danes
Tuesday, April 27
We biked from Ban Lac at. 8.00. It is a school we are visiting. It is the 15th time that I visit this school. We are always well received. We started in the staff room. School counselor "dir" received us. We had tea, fruit, pears and fresh mango. after a little chat about school we visited the classrooms. Students sang for us. There are so many students who come from poor backgrounds. I always have many pictures from the last visit. The best I can do for children is to take pictures of them. It was not anyone who thought that was nice to stay in Mai Chau. It was surprising to me because I after 17 visits only encountered satisfaction. It is strange that there is so much difference. Earlier people enjoyed themselves by going around the village. We should be in one of the prettiest places in Vietnam. Some would make the trip completely with only a night in Mai Chau. Besides one day and return next day after lunch. I do not think it is a good idea, but one possibility. When I sit here and write, I can really feel Carsten Jensen's thoughts: "I can see the world begin." The rest are here you do not get elsewhere. Now I have gone around the village. It is a sanctuary for all. Some things are not perfect, but there are so many other positive things, which fully replaces the lack of comfort. Kl. 15:00 do we turn a bike ride on motorcycles and bicycles. We drove to the other side of the valley. All we met greeted us. We drove around. 20 km. Looking out over rice fields, there are people everywhere. It was nice to come home to the village and get a hot bath. After dinner came six girls and six young men and danced fos us. There was a good atmosphere. We got coffee and whiskey. It was a great whiskey. It was nice to finish in good mood. Tomorrow we say goodbye to Hoa and family and all white Thai here in the village of Ban Lac.
Dancers
Dancers
Drink wine
Hoa