I did alot of research before I went on my trip to Vietnam. Yup, I had everything covered, no surprises for me. And I was very proud how I could accept the differances in the cultures and way of life. I am an open minded person, and besides, I was prepared for the unexpected.
YEAH RIGHT!!
Day 2 on our "honey moon". We are in a bus that seats 30. Just enough room for Thai's ENTIRE family, minus Mother and Father. I never realized it, but their goal was to see EVERY single beach on the southern coast of Vietnam within 5 days. So we spent a few hours at a beach, hop on the bus, go to another beach, send a few hours, hop on the bus....well, you get the picture.
It's really late at our first stop...we had driven along way and I had to pee. I stroll half asleep and follow my fellow female comrades into the bathroom. Oh no!!! I must have followed the wrong comrades. Surely I was in the mens bathroom. There is only a hole in the floor. I turn around..peek out the door.....nope I guess I must be in the right bathroom. But what the heck is THIS?!?! I guess you are supposed to squat or something..and no freakin' toilet paper...just a bucket of water and a......could it be?
a ladle!!! So THIS is the famous bucket and ladle you guys always talked about in your posts. I have to admitt....I never really paid much attention to those posts. Now I wish I had...I could'nt do it. I walked out of that bathroom so confused....shaking my head...."I just don't get it." I walked back onto the bus, and explained this situation to my daughter. She says..."oh, I see Mom, It's not a bathroom, it's an adventure."
On this trip we ate at alot of side stands. And you know what that means boys!!! yup....DIARRHEA!!!
I guess the more rural the place is, the more likely you are to have to use an "Adventure" as we came to call it. I do have to admitt, there we some very lovely adventures. Beautiful holes in the ground, made of fine porcilin. I did finally give in and tried to use one. No problemo.... I can aim!! ha!!! I bet you didn't know that, huh boys?? But I never did figure out how the heck I was supposed to use that bucket and ladle. I got to be very creative. I probably did'nt do it right, but I got the job done and at least I stopped looking very confused when I walked out of the adventures. Beleive me, I got alot of "Are you OK?"'s and alot of strange looks walking out of those adventures.
I just want to say I came to hate that bus. I really did. But it is the only way to see the country-side, in my opinion. Waching the field farmer working their rice paddys, with the graves of their ancestors right there along with them. It really gave me a feeling of serenity. Giving a simple wave to a lonely walker, and having him or her wave back with a toothless smile. I learned what a simple smile can do. It amazed me, and it still does to just think about it. I guess I just fell in love with this country and it's people. Like they say, you either hate it , or you love it.
