Photo: All of us volunteers as we head off with Ms. Nga on our adventure.
I am very grateful to EIL Intercultural Learning and Volunteers for Peace Vietnam for the amazing opportunity that I have been given. I have had to pinch myself quite a bit the last five weeks as I discover the beauty of the Vietnamese culture.
I was very honoured to be invited on a recent picnic/camping style trip by the coordinator of my project, Ms. Nga, along with the local Vietnamese volunteers of the summer classes project.
Ms. Nga brought us volunteers on an adventure! I had the chance to explore a part of Vietnam off the tourist beaten track and to witness a Vietnamese style picnic, which was absolutely amazing.
Our meal was freshly cooked and I watched in awe at it being prepared. The raw chicken was wrapped in tinfoil and then two men went into the river, stuck their hands below the water and scooped up sea mud which they used to coat the tinfoiled chicken to prevent it from burning. This was then thrown directly on top of the camp fire, which we all gathered wood to make.
The food was delicious, the company was even better and the location was breathtaking. It was a day filled with learning about the Vietnamese people and their culture and I will forever be grateful for it.
Best wishes
Tracey