Weekend Excursion part hai (2): Crafts Village

After a long and dirty day exploring the tunnels Crafts Village was just the place I wanted to be. Crafts Village was built on the banks of a river in the middle of a forested area. The village is almost a botanical garden- it houses over 500 tree species, hundreds of flowers and plants, and 50 species of bamboo, all native to Vietnam. It is called Crafts Village because there are artisans who reside there and create different pieces to put on display and sell to visitors. There are embroiders, weavers, potters, etc. Stepping off the bus was actually a 180º turn to what we had experienced earlier that morning.


Our rooms were set up so that the boys were all in one room and the girls all in another. Since we were out in a rural area we had mosquito nets around our beds, which is always exciting. The mattress on the beds was actually made of bamboo, very thin, very hard. But I still was able to get a great night sleep. Actually a lot of necessities were made out of bamboo– like the shower. This was actually one of the coolest showers I have ever taken, it really made me concious of how much water I use in a regular shower. Basically there was a barrel of water in a bamboo stall. There was a tap to refill the barrel right there. There was a really big bamboo ladle and that is what you used to dump water over your head. It was really cool. I have never taken a shower like that. It was cold water but it felt really good. I discovered that I had some "tunnel rash,"basically just bug bites from the tunnel. They don't hurt unless I put pressure on them, then it feels like there is a little stinger in the bite. Oh well. They will go away soon enough I hope.

After a group dinner we had a cultural exchange, which basically just consisted of a dance party. The next morning a few of us woke up extra early thinking that we were going on a 6 am paddle only to discover that it had been pushed back to 7:00. But it was fine because we were able to explore the village. We decided it is basically just a playground for adults. But actually, there was a playground. And bamboo bridges going to little islands, and lots of beautiful flora to look at. Even some fish tanks. We did get out on the water in big wooden canoes and got to explore the river. At one point we floated by a building that almost looked like a pagoda, it was a many-tiered tower, it really reflected the ancient Asian architecture. Mikala and I just looked at each other and were like is this real life right now. This is so Asia. It was a wonderful feeling.

just some causal balance drills. cross training for skiing.

 Camp counselor Mikala steers the boat!

After a breakfast of toast, eggs, and pho we were given a tour of  Crafts Village. It is a really incredible establishment geared toward being environmentally friendly. There is an emphasis on the three mother natures, one each for earth, water, and wind (I think...)  Our tour guide took us through the Country and People exhibition, which highlights the different regions of Vietnam and the diversity throughout the country. Through this tour I feel as though I really got a new perspective on the origins of Vietnamese culture. We also had the opportunity to make some of our own art. I wove a bracelet, etched into a piece of pottery, and even tried throwing on the wheel except that was a big fail.

This is a map of Vietnam made from sand from the different regions. Very cool!

All in all it was a wonderful weekend. It was nice to get out of HCMC for a few days and breathe in fresh air and not hear honking horns and the repetitive song that the ice cream vendors constantly play, WHICH I still need to try.
ps-  compliments to Mikala for all the photos!