More Peace Village Photos

Friendship Village

One afternoon, we visited a center for children affected by Agent Orange, similar to the Peace Village that I volunteer at in Hanoi.  Thanks to Nathan Cluss, for taking these beautiful pictures. 

Can Tho Floating Market

Early in the morning, we woke up to visit the floating market in Can Tho, on the Mekong River. Here's a few pictures. 

Many families live in houses right on the edge of the river.  Most of the houses didn't look very sturdy.. made me wonder what happens during the flood season..

A woman rowing her boat to the market. 

Boats full of produce

More watermelons than I've ever seen in my entire life!

Making a watermelon deal. 

To show what produce they are selling, the sellers tie the fruit up on long sticks.

We stopped to buy some pineapples from a family.  The entire family, including a mom, dad,  little boy, little girl, and a dog were living on the boat. 

The father, talking with Vuong about the price and quantity of pineapples. 

The guard dog, watching out for his family.

Co Hang and I

I wonder what she was thinking about.. 

Southern Vietnam Trip

Saturday morning, we embarked on our week long trip to Southern Vietnam.  First stop: Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).


One day, we took a trip to a Mangrove forest that the Viet Cong hid in during the Vietnam War.  The Americans destroyed the forest with Agent Orange and fire bombs during the war, but today it has been restored.  Right next to the mangrove forest was "Monkey Island".  There were literally monkeys everywhere.  They were walking all around us, not scared of us at all. The monkeys have been bred here for tourists' delight (naturally, there would not be this many monkeys in the wild in one area and they would not be so comfortable around humans).

This monkey decided it would be a good idea to steal Anna's bag. It was absolutely hilarious.  She put her bag down just for one moment to take a picture of another monkey, and this little guy snuck up behind her and took her bag and ran away with it.  Thank goodness for Chuck; he came up and scared the monkey away (and made a fool of himself in the process).  I almost died laughing. 

The next day, we visited a center established by a Swedish woman for disabled people called Maison Chance. These people come there to learn a skill (mainly painting, and some woodwork).  I believe the goal of this organization is to prove that even though these people are disabled, they can have a purpose in society and be useful. It was moving to see them working so diligently and clearly passionately about their artwork as well.

A painting done by one of the disabled people.

A man painting with his mouth. Absolutely incredible.

Another part of Maison Chance is a school for children who cannot afford to go to Vietnamese schools.  The students were delighted to have us visiting them.

Later that night.. dinner. Traditional hotpot with squid, various vegetables, and pig heart. Just in case you were wondering, I did taste the pig heart. It wasn't that bad, to be honest.