NATIVE TONGUES
In the southernmost region of Vietnam,
life is lived on the banks of the canals that empty into the Mekong
Delta.
As we slowly motored down the muddy
canals the scent of jasmine and burning incense mixed thick and
sweet with the salty air. Children rushed from their homes to
wave madly, blow kisses, smile their gap-toothed grins and welcome
us in their native tongue.
We looked questioningly to our guide
who told us they were yelling, "Hello, hello. Please come
into my house!"
We moored our boat and visited one
of the children's homes. Inside we met an ancient lady. She busied
herself ladling rice mixture on a hot plate to make spring roll
papers. We photographed her while she cackled and told our guide
she felt like a movie star.
A cruise of the Mekong Delta had our
boat's rudders fighting the floating riverweed to find our way
to Cai Be floating market. Here seas of women in conical hats
jostle all day to sell their wares.
Customers cruise the market in smaller
boats guided by the wooden poles of larger vessels from which
traders hang samples of their produce.
