Feb 2009

Despite being one of the most important nights in Melbourne and other parts of the Western World, the 31st December 2008 wasn't particularly interesting enough for me to discuss in detail here.

A few drinks at a favourite bar, preceded a fake (late) countdown, and discussions with people in our group from Zambia, South Africa and Canada proved the most interesting part of my night. However, I did have my closest friends with me, plus my boyfriend who flew up to Hanoi for a night, as his training schedule was lax the following day.

For the short January wedged between Western New Years and Vietnamese New Years, work seemed to be just a countdown to Tet (Vietnamese NY).

In my school, staff played and sang (constantly)

“Tet tet tet tet den roi”,

a famous Tet song.

“Tet tet tet tet is coming”.

Tet arts and crafts, Tet based maths activities, and Tet “discussions” in English with my three year olds.

Tet in Vietnam is the most important social and family public holiday of the year. The national holiday is officially 3 days, however Tet celebrations tend to span 10 days or more. Families save money, store food, and buy new clothes in advance. The New Year symbolises change, a new start, and the beginning of Spring. Families come together to celebrate the beginning of the lunar calendar, and the start of something new and good. Debts are to be paid off, to rid oneself of all bad feelings. Since the majority (80%) of Hanoians are not originally from Hanoi, markets and shops close up, so workers can go home to their hometown to spend Tet with their loved ones.

Pre 1995, New Year Eve involved many firecrackers used by any person that could by one. However after many injuries and deaths each year, the government banned them, so a quieter Tet seemed to be in order.

I like the celebration of Tet here. Families come together, really think about the following year and make goals and plans (unlike our “resolutions” that tend to fail). Tet blossom trees could be seen all around Hanoi, on motorbikes, outside homes, in pots, which made the streets a lot brighter.

I received 3 invitations from Vietnamese friends to celebrate Tet with them. However I had already organised to visit Danang, and Hoi An during my 10 days off.

This was my second time in Danang, but again, I absolutely loved it. To experience a modern (in comparison to Hanoi), and quiet (because of Tet) city situated right on the beach was just unbelievable. The weather was fantastic, there weren't too many people around, and I had the chance to relax (I even got a massage!), and spend time with my boyfriend.

Hoi An was lovely. The weather was significantly hotter, despite being only 30 minutes motorbike south of Danang. Hundreds of tourists filled the streets of the old ancient town, which made it incredibly crowded, however I did still appreciate the two days while there.

The beach was beautiful, but being a very white Australian with a dark American girl, we became more of a spectator sport. Plus, wearing normal Western swimwear, we were severely juxtapositioned against Vietnamese teenagers sporting long sleeved pants and tops, facemasks and motorbike helmets running along the sand screaming at any sign of water touching their body.

Another day in Vietnam, another extreme clash in culture.

The Vietnamese now feel rested and relaxed after being with their family for almost 2 weeks. I hope you feel afresh and new with the beginning of 2009.

Make a goal, or a plan for the year, and keep it.

But then again, I guess you never know what will happen, or who you will meet, that could change anything or everything in your life.

Love.
Cat.

P.S. To all those affected by the bushfires, I hope that you will recover. There has been a massive outpour of donations and help, so let's hope that Victoria and other affected areas can start rebuilding as soon as possible.
Here are some photos of the grass at my home back in Melbourne. The first now, the second, a few years ago.