The Family Reunion Continues...

Chau (hello in Vietnamese) everyone,

Here is a recap of our first few days in Hai Phong with the family.

The next day we were all greeted with the sounds of roosters cocking at about 5:30 in the morning. Needless to say it was quite a surprise to us as we are right smack in the middle of the city. As we sat for breakfast the sun started to break through the clouds and the temperature became a freezing 15 degrees, as we were all dressed in jeans and tee shirts, all of my cousins cloaked in heavy winter jackets.

This day our family (mom, dad, Derek, Krista, Rav and I) went to several of the cemeteries on the outskirts of town to pay our respects to the ancestors. This took up the majority of the day as we had to rent a van to carry all of us and the locations of these cemeteries were in remote places. There was some really nice scenery along the way, so I was told, as I fell asleep in the Van both ways. Along the way we had stopped at a beer stand where the local draft cost $2.00 CDN for two pitchers and 10 bags of peanuts(and boy was it worth every penny). (Picture above - Derek Preparing to Leave)

Walking Towards the Tomb


Praying at the Tomb


Burning Incense and Paper Money


The next afternoon we all went for a walk in the city exploring the nearby neighbourhoods, and boy were we baffled on how to cross the busy streets. There were hundreds of motorbikes and bicycles and a few cars criss crossing in ever direction. No one really stopped at red lights when there were traffic lights and people just seemed to flow around one another. There is no driving on one side of the street, everyone drives anywhere they want; left, right, middle, you name it. Crossing the street for the first time was quite the experience but by the end of our stay, we have now become professional Vietnam street walkers!! Some streets were filled with mats laid out on the sidewalks with stuff for the Tet celebration. We were not out that long before we had to venture back home for another feast, dancing and singing before we headed out to the night market.

The night market was filled with stalls in the middle of the street at the center of town, where you can get all of your Tet supplies, everything from red envelopes for giving money, to lanterns, flowers, lights, decorations, and even fine whisky in large jars filled with snakes, bear cubs, lynx… Yeah not a pretty sight, thank god none of us were real animal rights activists. We ended the night with a quick visit to one of my cousin’s house nearby with drinks and chocolates (both alcoholic kinds-definitely Chunger style)

Getting ready for the rideThe following days were spent venturing through other parts of town, all differing in many respects as each district has its own specialties. At one point, Greg, Arlene, Nancy, Troy, Derek, Krista, Rav and I had a ride in local taxis (xichlo ride – “Cyclo”). This was quite the experience, as we weaved in and out of oncoming traffic. Our driver or should I say our peddler was 69 years old with 10 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. The entire trip cost about $1.50 CDN and it took about 15 min. (Picture above - Getting Ready for the Ride)

We spent that afternoon finding a local seamstress to make some dresses and suits for the ladies and even more time trying to find the material as there was so much to choose from and so little time as the market was closing up for Tet. Needless to say it was a bit trying during the bargaining sessions, but in the end the material and labour cost around $20 per dress. (Wendy should shop here, and save up for the big day)

One morning Derek, Krista, Rav and I went to play tennis at a nearby court. We had to rent the courts and borrowed the racquets but were glad to have played. Rav had a ride back to the house on the back of a mo-ped and she kept on doing shoulder checks for my cousin which no one in Vietnam does. We have it on video tape and pics.

On several occasions Rav was involved in the making of the traditional cakes for the Tet celebration. (Banh Trung- sticky rice with pork and beans, wrapped in banana leaves and boiled for about 10 hours.) Other activities included purchasing the kumquat tree- symbolizing abundance and fruitfulness and the peach blossoms-signifying the coming of spring. Similar to getting a Christmas tree I guess. Both trees were purchased with the roots intact as they will be sold back to the farmers after the Tet celebration to be replanted for the next year’s celebration (What a great idea)! (Picture above - Chris and Rav on a Xich Lo)

Buying a Peach Blossom

In the evenings, we’d have dinner around 7-8 and then sit around talking and laughing and of course drinking the local brew. Dinner has been plenty and the amount of food and drinks is overwhelming. (How do they do it?)

Rav and I made dinner for the entire family (28 people). It was only a 4 course meal due to limited appliances and space. It all started with a trip to one of the local markets (which is MUCH MORE different than our local Safeway). The markets consisted of rows and rows of different vendors sitting on the streets with their vegetables, fresh fruit, seafood and meat laid out in front of them for sale. There was a wide variety of items for sale, some which we would particularly not look for or want to buy including pig snout, intestines and chicken’s feet. While looking around the market, we witnessed a pick pocketing incident where a woman was chasing after the man who had stolen her items. We had been warned about this before leaving the house and were told to keep nothing in our pockets and hold on to our cameras tightly. Dinner that night consisted purely of Western foods to provide the family with a taste of what we eat back home.

We’re busy preparing each home for the New Year which falls on Jan 29th. New Years Eve is on the 28th and the day will be full of lots of drinking, eating and celebrating. We have not had a chance to do much sightseeing yet but we are planning on visiting some temples around Hai Phong and on the outskirts of Hanoi as well as Ha Long Bay (which is known for its limestone rock formations) after the New Year as tradition has it that you are not supposed to travel too much until after the New Year. We will post the celebrations from New Years soon…now get back to work (and especially you, Sean). We miss you all and look forward to hearing from you guys.