Odysseys of George

One of the highlights of the trip was the Vietnamese Water Puppet Show. A little bit of research reveals that Múa rối nước is Vietnamese water puppetry, which literally means “puppets that dance on water.” The tradition dates back as far as the tenth century when it originated in the Red River Delta area of northern Vietnam. When the rice fields would flood the villages, villagers would entertain each other using this puppet form.

Water puppetry is performed in a chest-deep pool of water, with the water’s surface as a stage. The puppeteers stand behind a curtained backdrop. Up to 8 puppeteers stand behind a split-bamboo screen, decorated to resemble a temple facade, and control the puppets using long bamboo rods and string mechanism hidden beneath the water surface.

A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides background music accompaniment. The instrumentation includes vocals, drums, wooden bells, cymbals, horns, erhu (Chinese two-stringed fiddle), and bamboo flutes. The bamboo flute’s clear, simple notes may accompany royalty while the drums and cymbals may loudly announce a fire-breathing dragon’s entrance.

Singers of Cheo (a form of opera originating in north Vietnam) sing songs which tell the story being acted out by the puppets. The musicians and the puppets interact during performance; the musicians may yell a word of warning to a puppet in danger or a word of encouragement to a puppet in need.

The theme of the skits is rural and has a strong reference to Vietnamese folklore. It tells of day-to-day living in rural Vietnam and Vietnamese folk tales that are told by grandparents to their grandchildren. Stories of the harvest, of fishing and of festivals are highlighted.

Legends and national history are also told through short skits. Many of the skits, especially those involving the tales of day-to-day living, often have a humorous twist. ( Wikipedia )

Don’t leave Vietnam without seeing this. It is uniquely Vietnam.

I read a passage, and this part captured my attention which was relevant to present situation.

In June 1966, Rubin “Hurricane” Carter, a celebrated boxer, along with an acquaintance were convicted of murder in a highly publicized and racially charged trial. The boxer maintained his innocence and became his own jailhouse lawyer. After serving 19 years, Carter was released when the verdict was overturned. As a free man, he reflected: “Wouldn’t anyone under those circumstances have a right to be bitter? . . . I’ve learned that bitterness only consumes the vessel that contains it. And for me to permit bitterness to control or infect my life in any way whatsoever would be to allow those who imprisoned me to take even more than . . . they’ve already taken.”

When we hold on to disappointment, a poisonous root of bitterness begins to grow.

When angry feelings go unchecked,
They’ll mushroom into hate;
So don’t let time feed bitterness—
Forgiveness must not wait. —Sper

Bitterness is a root that ruins the garden of peace.

ref: RBC ministries

So I went for a tour! Ha ha! This is what happens when one tries to cramp all their schedule in 52 hours! It was suppose to be longer but something cropped up and thus the rush. Big mistake - Vietnam has plenty to offer and I think I would have to return here to complete this so far beautiful country.

Visit 1: War Remnant Musuem

Opened to public on September 4th. 1975, it exhibits the war crimes and aftermath of the foreign forces upon the people of Vietnam. It has many pictures and translated scripts as one takes time to read and understand the war that happened. It brings about a mixed feeling and a sense of sadness as one sees the fear, the oppression and the suffering that the people of Vietnam had to endure. Never could I understand how evil man can treat another……., and in a breath I realize that this was all an experimental ground for the so called World peace keeper, th USA. In their cry for peace and freedom, they made it worse and caused more suffering not only to the Vietnamese but also to the lost men in battle and their families. There is a book in the museum for visitors to sign and in it, one can read the remarks hurled against the USA for their unnecessary meddling and killings. One can only see the similar repetitions happening in other parts like Iraq as they fail to learn from past due to their self righteous and egoist behavior.

Entrance to the Museum

The Weapons of Destruction

The Suffering

Why? Will we ever learn? They claim that close to 5 billion bombs were deployed during the war and the use of Agent Orange was purely a test ground for chemical warfare! Why?…….

Destination: Ho Chin Minh City or better known as Saigon

It has been a while since I planned to visit Vietnam and somehow it was possible now. In view of my recent depression, I think this was a much needed break.

The flight departed Kuala Lumpur at sharp 9am taking almost 2 hours to reach Saigon. The time difference was an hour behind - we reached Saigon at 10.55am Malaysian time or 9.55am Vietnam time.

I was surprised to see the airport being busy for a Sunday. The airport looks new and maybe recently upgraded. As I walked past the Vietnamese immigration I could not help but find similarity in their uniform to the Rambo movies of vietcongs. It was of dull green. The guy who took my passport tried to make conversation which I felt was good, later telling me that he stamped a one month visa on my passport.

The journey to the hotel, provided me with many other info as one there are more motorcycles than cars. The traffic system can still be improved. they still block roads to allow trains to pass. All in all,it reminds me of certain parts of Malaysia or rather a 1970s’ of Malaysia’s Kuala Lumpur.

New World Hotel is a new hotel. The rooms are alright. Let me give you a peek….

They even places a ribbon on the new roll of tissue paper.

I like this

And the streets of Vietnam:

Hmm.. notice how clean the roads are and how they manage to preserve their trees along the roads. Malaysia could learn a thing or two from them for we love to chop down age old trees and break down age old buildings!

Thats all for now - will continue tomorrow. There is more to day 1 still. Ha ha ha.

Wow! I can’t believe it! It has been almost 3 months and about 6 months since writing my blog became slightly erratic - hmmm…. an understatement actually almost lifeless. It was during these times that I was reflecting on my life and despite many loyal readers who have asked as to why I stopped blogging - it was purely — i lost the beat and momentum to write. There were days when I had many things to write but the words were missing. There were days when I wonder how much I can write as I find there are some who rather spend their time analyzing ways to get back at me. My life has been alike the highs and lows of a manic - depressive person but I have somehow manage to keep myself sane. Problems seem to be hurdling into me in every direction and consume me. Then recently, after having gone through the lowest ever moment in my life, the great depression in my life, I found a spark to lift my spirits high and soar through the skies. I hope this is not another manic phase though it has all the criteria for one actually.

So I promise to start again - those medical articles, the personal ones , travel blogs and above all my diving articles.