Lucky

We went to visit one of the minority people villages today, and it felt like we were walking into an exhibit you'd see at a museum showing how the Inuit used to live. But this was very much an active village with people living inside wooden huts. Got to talking (via our guide) to one of the ladies who lives there. She asked us where we were from and why we came to Vietnam. She then said she would also love to go on a holiday, but she was very poor and had to work everyday. She hoped to be able to see the nearby town one day (50km or so away). She said we were very lucky to be living where we do. With a big smile, no bitterness in her eyes at all. And what can you say back? It's true.

Earlier we had met two young girls who were interested in hearing about our home nations. One asked if I brought a skirt (i.e. kilt) I could show her. The other had seen many pictures online from Canada. She wants to see maple leaves in Fall. Better than Vietnam which is too green she says. But the cost to travel for Vietnamese folk is just too high so saying to her "maybe you will visit one day" was a bit naive. Even our guides who know every inch of this country have never even crossed the border to Laos.