Smiles and people who won’t take our money
Once one gets past the screamed “Hellos!”, there is a quiet humor and ambition underlying the attitude of most Vietnamese. They always laugh. Women in colorful flower-adorned hats smile softly at my inability to say “seven”. Others hide crinkled eyes beneath their short brims. Sometimes the hats fall off. Women biking or motorcycling ahead of me swerve about in the road, chuckling on their way to retrieve their headgear.
Mr. and Mrs. Ngugom invited us into their home one evening. That day the wind blew harshly and dark skies promised rain. Mrs. Ngugom approached Nakia, who was asking about camping sites. She pointed at the sky, making a shivering motion. Nakia’s female status often causes people to view our group differently than they otherwise might. Men are impressed, women empathetic. This time we took advantage of our female connections to stay at the home of the Ngogom’s.
Adam, who almost drowned once trying to look at fish, soon had Mr. Ngugom trolling him about in the family fish pond. I finally explained to Mrs. Ngugom that I wanted to help wash dishes. She chuckled her carefree laugh. “Ah, help, help” she said correctly pronouncing the word I mispronounced, “fine, help!” She gave me a basin and a quick lesson and I was soon washing away.
Given our experiences of past Vietnamese homestays, we were nervous. How much would this cost? The couple seemed genuinely nice, but what would happen when we tried to leave?
Mr. Ngugom took me to register with the police. We went on his motorcycle, winding through dark forested trails I didn’t recognize. Coming around one corner he almost collided with another bike. “Hahaha,” he chuckled. I chuckled along.
The woman at the house we stopped at laughed when I showed her everyone’s passport. She asked if I was Peter, then gave me back all the passports. “Get up and go!” her gesture said. Allright! Too bad more registrations aren’t like this one.
That night we dined on freshly netted fish and, if I say so myself, extremely clean vegetables. In the morning when we tried to give the family some money, they wouldn’t take it.
Adam banged his head a smashing blow on the low-hanging eaves. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ngugom laughed big belly laughs. Usually I wouldn’t laugh, but their humor was infectious. I waited till I was facing away snortled into my beard. I guess when life is funny, you might as well admit it.
January 25th, 2008 at 1:08 am
Great story, what kind of fish?? How did Adam catch them? Why aren’t you fishing? I always knew you had good manners to help your hosts. Thank you. - You’re a good man - I’m proud to be your mom. No riding motorcycles - my rule to all of you. Love, M
June 18th, 2012 at 10:13 pm
I and also my guys were analyzing the best solutions on your web site while at once I got an awful suspicion I never expressed respect to the site owner for those strategies. These men happened to be totally joyful to read through all of them and now have truly been having fun with them. I appreciate you for simply being quite accommodating and for deciding on certain ideal things most people are really desperate to be aware of. My personal honest regret for not expressing appreciation to earlier.
September 5th, 2014 at 4:09 pm
You 100WC shows me how well you have been prepared for the new cgealenhls ahead as you move on to your new school, Ellese. You are positive about the future while remembering the past. This is a good combination to have. Our past helps guides us into the future. High Lawn has been a great beginning for you and others.When you face the new cgealenhls ahead, keep the positive attitude, make new friends, keep in contact with the special old friends and watch the way your new school year passes. I wonder what a summary of the year would hold if you were to write one a year form now? I bet you would be able to share some good stories with the children leaving High Lawn at that stage. Your positive stories would help them feel more confident. I hope you find your new school a wonderful experience, Ellese.Ross Mannell (teacher)Australia
October 20th, 2014 at 7:07 am
Actually it is fighting “Trash with Trash”…it has been used in watersheds to understand how debris starts in one place and travels to another…a way of mapping
October 20th, 2014 at 7:09 am
Awesome read. I just passed this onto a buddy who was doing some research on that. He actually bought me lunch since I found it for him! Thus let me rephrase: Thank you for lunch!
October 20th, 2014 at 7:09 am
I’ll be speaking with a science teacher at my school this week, and we will contact you shortly! Thanks!
December 25th, 2014 at 7:09 am
Haha. I woke up down today. You’ve cheered me up!
March 5th, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Well done Ellese you have used this piece to say your thank you’s. It has been super having you take part in the 100WC this year. I wish you every scusecs in your new school!
April 10th, 2015 at 9:16 am
Well done Ellese, you have lots to look forward to. It is great to see so many defierfnt styles of entry in this week’s challenge. I enjoyed reading this.Mrs Halford (teacher)
April 21st, 2015 at 11:23 pm
I’m impressed you should think of something like that
November 22nd, 2017 at 11:13 am
Very interesting reading. Good luck!