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Published: February 13th 2007
True history lesson
we were schooled in Vietnam history, here our tour guide, David, is explaining to us the area around Da Lat which is a Special Economic ZoneHanging out in Da Lat, in the South Central Highlands of Vietnam, I have become enchanted with Vietnam. The people are overwhelmingly caring, the town swirls itself up and down along cobblestown streets in and out of the hillside, the coffee is better than starbucks but at a third of the price and the city is what we were looking for in Vietnam. The first day we arrived we were wondering around inquiring about various day trips (eventually I choose a refreshing bikeride through the mountains). After we had collected some research on our options; bike to this beach or that beach, camp out in this national park or that national park, we needed to sit down and debate, so we wondered into the Peace Cafe, hoping that the name would lend itself to some civil discussions. Moments after we situated ourselves in the booth and mini stools, Nam approached us. Before he even introduced himself, we knew who he was. Nam is part of the Da Lat Easy Riders....a group of tour guide-esq men who drive real motorcycles, not scooters, and will take, pick up, or drop off tourist basically anywhere in vietnam. It was started by one many back
Dessert and new faces
meeting up with agnes in Da Lat. So great to hear some new stories! in 1992 and has blossomed to 72 english speaking, fun-loving, history book like, vietnamese men. Over the next two days, Jaime, Eli and I went from just know the names and smiles of Lucky, Nam, and David, to learning about their kids, Lucky has one at Da Lat University (one of only 4 universities in Vietnam), learning about the re-education camp that both Nam and Lucky had to attend after they fought on the south vietnamese side during the American war, we learned which one could hold their liqucour the best, we learned about their sisters and brothers, some of which went without seeing for 27 years, we learned about their wifes, whose was the best cook, and what meal they most looked forward too after a long trip with tourist. We learned which towns were bombed the hardest, and which ones, for some reasons were saved. They talked proudly of their history, because you could tell they were strong men. Both Nam and Lucky learned a good portion of their English from the american soldiers they fought alongside, a skill that still lasts with them today.
They showed us vietnam. ....coffee plantations, tea plantations, banana and mango plantations,
Crazy house
what i won't have given to have a tree house like this growing up. silkworm farms and silk factories, brick making centers, and tree trunk sculpting, we ate newly cooked rice paper......they showed us vietnam and it is amazing and beautiful and i am already mentally planning my next trip back. Lucky promised us his wife's cooking, and he bragged that it was the best.
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