This morning we had some free time. My friend Hien and I headed to the public park. So many people gathered to exercise together. Many different styles from Badminton, to hip hop exercise classes to more traditional styles involving fans, and swords.They have public access exercise equipment a running path. It was fun to jump into a Hip Hop exercise class. Plan to go back on our next free morning. Clearly good health is a value here, but also practiced.
The park also had small cafes, where I tried my first Vietnamese coffee. It was delicious and I do not even like coffee. Around the cafes men bring birds in cages. The purpose is to relax listening to the birds song drowning out the sounds of the city as they drink and talk with their friends. The park experience has left me thinking alot about our own values and sense and community,
In the afternoon we left for the Mekong Delta. First stop was to visit a fascinating Caodaism temple. A religion that defies many famous figures throughout history, Vietnamese, Chinese, and European. They worship the seeing eye. We arrived right before their shared lunch the people graciously invited us to lunch with them and view the temple. So lovely these people. I am very curious about this faith and how they mix so many ideas together. Plan on reading more about it in the future.
Next we checked into our 5 star hotel (a first for me and a nit surreal) in Can Thom. We immediately headed out for a traditional Mekong Meal and performance of traditional music and stories. The host of the event was amazingly kind and enthusiastic about sharing his culture with us. The food was very different from the food in Saigon. More pungent sauces and fish. My favorite part of the meal was a soup made with Pumpkin Flowers and other greens.
I have been having so much fun, but my body is going into shock from all this activity. Feeling a little under the weather. Need to take it easy and sleep a little more and process all that I have seen.