Last Sunday I went walking with just my camera. I let it hang from my neck with the power on and snapped photos randomly, no formed shots, no planned framing, just shoot. I didn't look at them until later, and I was pleasantly surprised: I got some amazing ones of people working, sitting, playing, just living out their normal life. Sunday felt like a wonderfully warm lazy day for everyone, and the mood was that everything was fine. I don't think I stopped smiling. Then on my way home, a middle aged woman looked at me as we passed with absolute contempt, and attempted to throw her sunflower shells into my bag as she grunted. She missed, but it left me feeling confused. I suppose it may be a slap in the face to her, me with my relatively expensive camera and western face.... And yet other times, all I get is smiles and hellos.
We are now "on holiday" for two weeks. Tet festival begins on Friday/Saturday and so schools closed today for 2 weeks. We are a bit stumped as to how to fill our time without spending money, with everyone we have met so far here going off to see their families. And yet we have lots of films, books, and we are told that Hanoi streets are absolutely empty on the first day of Tet. So we are excited to take some photos. We also plan to join the local gym after Tet, and we have found a hotel that lets visitors use the swimming pool for $3 a day.
Looking back on the month, I can't quite believe how much we have actually accomplished: a flat, jobs, getting in to a new culture. We even have a rice cooker which we use most days! We still really miss people, the daily banter, and the feeling of home. But even when I really feel like being at home, I know that if someone told me I had to leave here tomorrow, I would be so devastated.
Here's one of the pictures I shot on Sunday. x
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