After a restless night dreaming of Cameron, I was awakened at 6a.m. in the morning with loud and urgent banging on the door. I thought that my worst fears have come true, that someone was attempting to break in and rob/kidnap me. As there were no peep hole, I peeped through the window curtains in the room to see who was outside. And I saw 2 giggling girls out there, my bx and her younger sister banging on the door. Was damn angry, as I did not rest well and they were playig a joke on me so early in the morning. But could not help smiling as well and they looked so silly... hahaha
Anyway, I was asked to wake up early to have breakfast and later my vb wants to bring me to some happening place. Washed up and went on her motorbike to a makeshift stall by the roadside. Next to the stall were hens and cocks, and a tied up horse. Also saw some cows grazing on a near barren patch of grassland about 20 m away. My Vb's uncle and auntie were there waiting for me. They just kept smiling at me and I smile even more brilliantly back at them. I think they were impressed by how city boys keep their pearlies white...
My breakfast came and I thought it was pulut hitam, albeit minus the coconut milk. But I was told that it was chao bo. And it was chock a block with bo parts, found liver, kidney, thigh, and another 2 to 3 parts don know what. Know I know why there are cows nearby... and a bowl only costs 20,000k vnd. Eat it with some chilli and ginger, it does taste good. 2 stray mongrels were eyeing for any leftovers ... I hope it is the leftovers and not us!I at about 8a.m., we hop onto her bike again and departed for the happening place, which I was told was up in the mountains. I was told that the place is called Lam Vien Nui Cam.
While travelling towards the mountains, really have the chance to take in the scenes of the countryside. Saw horses pulling carts, cows grazing in huge grasslands... children running around in dirty clothes and barefooted and seemingly very happy.. also saw school girls riding bicycles along the narrow road, the scenes were so classic... I was mesmerized with the scenic beauty when I saw a group of what seemed liked Cambodian men (dark skinned) having drinks at a stall by the roadside. Fear struck me immediately as my VB seemed to slow down when approaching them... could my worst fears play out here? Then suddenly, my VB says "Scared or not? Hahhaa..." Damn, she was pulling a fast one on me again and she seems to be enjoying it...
Finally reach the place and it was some sort of garden with hardly a soul there. Nothig to shout about, just saw a caged sun bear, snakes and a white monkey. Other than that, don't know why have to travel a distance to come here. My Vb asked me boring is it, want to go up the other mountain? I say no thanks, I'll rather go back. She says ok, her family waiting for me to have lunch with them. Just when we were about to depart, her mobile rang and she answered. She doesn't seem too happy after talking and told me that her grandma and auntie wants to see me. She says her grandma stays about 10 mins from her only. I thought here comes the inevitable... anyway she says only for a short time as she knows that I don't really like the idea.
On the way, we stopped for a glass of pam fruit juice, cannot remember what it is called in tv. It was quite refreshing and costs only 12,000vnd. When relaxing there, her phone rang again and it was her grandma asking when we will arrive. Seems like they are really urgent.
When we reached, her grandma was slicing some bo and doesn't seem in the least interested in seeing me
However, her aunt was the vocal one, asking my vb about my background. She was telling me to visit again in Tet and I told my Vb no no... and she gave me a pinch.. haha.... my VB then told her aunt that I am not rich and cannot afford to travel so often. I could see her aunt's face change but she sounded sympathetic, saying that it is ok, 2 persons can work hard together and be happy. Before I left, my Vb suddenly asked me to pass 500k to each her grandma and her aunt, and secretly told me that it will be her money. Haha, seems like I am beginning to win the battle to psycho her...
After this, we went back to her house to have family with her family. Lunch consists of some fish soup, fried fish and a plate of vegetable. I was told that for countryside folks, this meal can be considered sumptuous. It was quite nice and they keep telling me to eat more, saying that I was too thin. I do agree, as her dad looks really fit even at 54. I motioned to her dad about his bulging biceps and he gave me a toothy grin and showed that he gained them from working in the fields. I gave him a thumbs up sign. I think at that moment, I won over his dad.
After lunch was over, his dad and mum bade me farewell as they need to go to work. His dad was a farmer and his mum sells the produce in the market, leaving his auntie there. My Vb then told me to give his auntie 500k as well, there was when my face changed. My VB then gave me the "Cambodian" look and I said ok lor, u win, wait till we leave this place. She gave me a strange look.
Anyway, LL lor, still handed over 500k.
After this, we leave and set off for our trip to Can Tho, where my VB wanted me to meet all her college friends and introduced me to them. I leave this part out as there's nothing much to share, except the part where we have to take a local bus to the bus station to catch a van to soc trang, and from there, take a cab to can tho. The local bus ride was damn bumpy and it was more than an hour long, and practically everyone was staring at me like I'm an alien. However, I do like the stares from some of the VBs in school uniform and I think I became their main topic of gossip for the day. haha. My VB was pinching me the whole journey and saying very happy hor
On the way, my VB phone rang non stop, with her relatives and family asking her when we will be getting married. She says so troublesome, don marry better. haha
This trip really opens my eyes up to rural vietnam, and some of the folks are really warm and nice. Despite the poverty there, I sense they have this quiet determination to want to make things better if given the opportunities. It was also an oppotunity for me to know her family and relatives better, and also how she will react in the face of familial pressures. I would say that she passes the test with flying colours. I hope things stay this way.