The Tribal People

The Black Hmongs and Red Dzao call the hills of Sapa their home. 

Like most tribal groups their mainstay is agriculture and padi is grown only once a year. Cut terraces are seen in the hills for planting rice and other cash crops.

So beautiful and relaxing. People here have every reason to live longer.

Though tribal, the ethnic groups are not spared of money mattters. They have grown commercialized too and not traditional in their business acumen.

The women folk are into weaving and produce mats, table runners, cushions and a variety of ornaments for the home. We seem to see only women and later we have been told that the men are in the main cities seeking for higher pays to supplement the family income. So, the women are left behind to look after the children, farms and weave, cross stitch and sew for menial incomes.

Here is a basket maker. Many tourists are attracted to their art and craft.

 The honey sellers. We actually see them extracting honey from hives and the product is genuine.

The local children are "free range" type and grow up tough unafraid of fevers and colds. They play traditional games and we hardly see them with technological gadgets just like the time when we grew up. 

 They have almost same facial features and I suspect inter-tribal marriages and so they look so alike.

When we walk the streets in the night, we saw minors taking the roles of adults. In traditional clothes they may be aiming for the sympathy of tourists to buy gifts from them. The little brother was wailing and the big sister tried to pacify him with a bottle of orange juice. It was so heart -breaking to see the little one being given such a huge role. But at the same time, the training make them into the most persuasive vendors and you will be surprised how persistent they can be.

You will give in because of their persistence. They also multi-task.

The little girl will grow up being an expert in child-minding and looking after the home just like this house wife above. She spoke a fair bit of English. When asked where she received her learning she reiterated that it was from mingling with tourists!

She says she speaks much English but can hardly write though she recognizes some words. She was adamant in learning English as it will add advantage to her rice bowl.

 Look at this local lass. She is called Carr and her spoken English was truly commendable. She is 15 but has to stop school due to poverty. In Vietnam , education is not free. There is a need for fees. Given an opportunity, she wants to go to Sapa town to enrol in a tourism course that will enable her a chance to be a tourist guide. From young till this age, her world is filled with the sight of tourists and her dream is only to be a guide. So simple and felt sorry for this bright lass. She followed me non-stop and I finally gave in to her call. I bought for the sake of stopping her from following me. But she reminded me of some back home who need to be put to shame. Back home, the English Language is widely used and yet there are so many reluctant learners.

Here is another Hmong girl. She is 16; married and is expecting her first baby. There is no room for tiredness and she moves so swiftly in chase of the tourists. All she aims for is that someone buys from her. Her favourite phrase was " You buy from her; so you must buy from me too...please. Please buy something from me too..." I tried not to get irritated and tried all means to push her away. Believe me they know their trade very well. Keep persisting and she will win. I wonder if they know they may be hindering tourists a second visit. It is quite exasperating. Some of us just donated and told them to release us. What an irony. 

 Wherever teachers go, they like to visit schools. That was what we did. We could not resist going into a local school and be immersed in them.

They emphasize on learning Vietnamese language and the English Language. They have already realize the importance of understanding the foreign lingo and know that the knowledge will bring them far. Even in such a simple set up, the children learn. Today, in the Timms and Pisa evaluation tests, the country has super ceded many counter parts including our homeland.

Some of us join in the morning assembly, sang and danced to the tune of 5 little ducklings. It reminded me of Michelle back home

The tribes of Sapa.

Together Again

Reason for the gathering.

Ms Aw.

Retired last October. the trip was organised for friends to commemorate her happy day. She was extra ordinarily expressive. Look at the star. Adorned with colorful coral pearls, she entertained us with the display. She has seldom worn any in her teaching days as she is practical and would not allow these accessories to get into the way. An excellent teacher, many will miss her expertise in various disciplines. 

Patricia is the nucleus of activity. She is the lady behind the drive and is always ready to gather many in support of friends. A superb organiser, she has brought joy to many in her adventurous ways. If you need to run a trip, just give her a call. She is truly a call away.

Yes, that's the group of 16 teachers ; missing here is Madam Loy.

There she is. Together with Pat, they will break into the Hainanese dialect understood by both of them only. You can instinctively sense that they are talking 'bad' about someone. I hope you know it is only a joke.

This is  a better representation of the group.

The extended friends include the hubbies of Chin Chin and Sophia; not forgetting the beautiful children of the latter. Most in our 50s and 60s with a couple in their 40s, we put up with the best of ourselves in the trip filled with love and joy.

So, what do friends when they come together?

Walk, eat, drink and take photos of the streets of Hanoi and everywhere.

This Vietnamese egg coffee is served along the lanes of Hanoi and captured the hearts of the coffee drinkers among us. It is a no, no for some as it would mean wide eyes into the wee hours of the morning.

But for this lady, the story is different. Lee Lan is addicted to the drink and she handles the drink at any time of the day without being affected by the caffeine. Look at the glee. She sought high and low and was elated when she has it. A coffee maniac.

In Hanoi, this drink is a fraction of the cost of what we get at home.

If you do not drink, you lose. So drink you must.

So who are the drinkers?

Yes, their alcohol capacity is commendable. The Saigon drink cannot knock them even with a dozen cans at a go !

At Halong Bay, the karst outcrops are truly prominent; like this one locally known as the fighting cocks.

These two are a representation of the outcrops.

Very professional indeed. Chin Chin and Pek Cheng showing their prowess.

Guess who won?

It was a win-win. See how they pat each other after the fight.

At moments, the friendship of many decades are seen in this gesture of sharing and caring. We talked about our children, families, challenges and encourage each other at cross roads of our lives. It is crucial to have girl friends.

At other times, we compare and see who has the least lines. Obviously the oldest has the most lines. We like to buy the same things. The vendors love us.

In the streets of Hanoi beautiful friends gather for fun and non-stop photography.

They have lovely smiles.

In the mountains of Sapa, Bee Lee dressed herself up in sync with local culture. Look at Viani and her warm smile.. Madam Teoh is seldom seen with this 'let hair down' smile. So sweet are Siew Lian, Poh Choo and Mong Ling. Lay Suan is the official photographer and she is a professional at poses. 

More to come.