The park has some indigenous people living inside the park, so we stayed overnight with one of the families inside the "culture" village (a true oxymoron). They were more advanced than what I expected, but it was still a primitive experience by most standards. However, if you are expecting head hunters or cannibals, then you will be disappointed. We ate with the family and when it came time for bed, I wanted to take a shower. They had running water, straight from the hillside. The female student did not think it that I should take a shower. She thought I was too old and it might cause my blood pressure to rise. I'm glad that she was concerned, but I decided to risk it anyway. The water was cold, but I did not suffer a heart attack.
Everyone slept on the floor in the big room - like one big, happy family. I slept pretty good. Okay, the rice wine may have helped some. Just glad I did not have to go to the bathroom in the middle of the night. Next time, I'll bring a jar with me, just in case.
Oxymoron?? Culture is what it is; it can't be evaluated with a normative perspective! The park is BEAUTIFUL. Thank you for the photos!
ReplyDeleteNow you're getting into your element! The landscape looks beautiful. See if the locals know how to noodle.
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Gorgeous scenery! I would be in shutterbugging heaven!! Funny that the young lady thought you were old. What is the average life expectancy of the men there, I wonder? I grew up spending two weeks every summer at my grandparents in OK. They were very poor, so we took baths down at the creek and used the outhouse. I guess some Americans aren't all that far removed from the living conditions of those in Viet Nam.
ReplyDeletePretty scenery. I enjoyed going on the trip with you.
ReplyDeleteFunny that you were afraid of going to the bathroom alone in the middle of the night. Was that your hand in the photo?
ReplyDeleteNope, that was the park ranger holding the lizard.
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