Pleased Saturday, everybody!
No less than I feel it is Saturday –
And I do know it has been a number of days since I’ve popped my head in –
There may be an 11 hour time distinction between Vietnam and my house state of Virginia, and my physique is rebelling at each flip to get me resituated the place I must be.
However simply check out this lovely scene –
Very similar to a waterfall, the water flows from the highest terrace all the way down to the underside –
Right here we had been a brief distance from Sapa to go to the H’mong and Dzay ethnic minority village of Lao Chai for a workshop in batiking with beeswax on hemp material –
My group after mountain climbing up the somewhat steep path to the house of our artisans.
Studying to batik with melted beeswax and particular instruments.
Wax was stored scorching in a pot filled with scorching coals.
This was actually enjoyable, and we acquired to let our imaginations run wherever we wished –
We may additionally use stamps.
I feel the one factor I’ll all the time maintain with me is the scent of melted beeswax –
I had one of the best, most enjoyable journey group ever!
Nice job!
After we left, our art work was dyed in indigo – additionally grown proper right here within the village – the panels had been then boiled to take away the wax, dried within the solar and delivered to our resort in Hanoi earlier than we left for the airport.
The sheer feat of arranging all of this so we may take our artwork house with us is thoughts numbing and appreciated!
I additionally took time to understand the cultivating of rice paddies up shut subsequent to the home – standing on the patio and looking out over the village buildings under.
You possibly can’t separate the artwork from the environment.
They each should be mixed to essentially admire every batik piece made right here.
Sure, there’s a video as a result of there are too many good images!
Click on to Play:
Purple flowers rising on a hillside
And this man –
Water buffalo, completely unaware of being photographed –
And that is the place an journey of a unique sort unfolded – no method to cease it, as accidents are likely to occur.
I tripped on the sting of the street (so far as I can inform) and one leg slid down the mud and the opposite twisted to observe, and I ended up on my butt in a drainage ditch.
Oh how humiliating! All of it occurred so quick, and there was no method to undo it.
Evidently, the sandals and the shorts had been bagged and discarded – there was no different method to cope with that mud, and I wasn’t bringing it house!
The subsequent day Deb and I took a taxi to the worldwide hospital in Hanoi to see the twisted knee seen to. It had swollen drastically in a single day and there was extra bruising evident.
They handled me splendidly and I can not say sufficient in regards to the the hospital/medical employees – it was AMAZING care.
They put this full leg brace on me, prescribed me meds, and despatched me again to the resort to relaxation.
What’s a woman to do however watch some Netflix and sew away on a future New Zealand challenge?
My group had continued on to Ha Lengthy bay and their in a single day bay cruise and different actions. I used to be sorry to overlook that leg (HA) of the journey, however glad they may go.
On their return I used to be awarded “The golden water buffalo” for my survival. Thanks, Marnie & Chrissie – that is so hysterical and now has a spot of honor in my house.
That is JUST earlier than falling –
And you’ll’t maintain a woman down for lengthy.
Our return to Hanoi from the mountains.
Vietnam broke a warmth file reaching 111 f that day. Issues had been simply reaching night as we returned to our resort, and the solar was setting via a purple haze as we crossed this bridge.
I am so glad we went from air-con to air-con – additionally grateful that temps are a really delicate 70 f at house!
I arrived house Thursday afternoon – a whole zombie. I finished in at Quiltville Inn to welcome the Muddy Creek Misfits who had arrived Wednesday afternoon and knew what was happening with me and the (*&#(*&@ knee.
Yesterday I had an appointment with the ortho man for extra x-rays. Nothing is damaged. We’ll schedule an MRI to make sure nothing is torn or broken. I’ve upgraded to a a lot smaller knee brace that’s giving me stability and a bit extra vary of movement.
I’m resting, icing, elevating and doing all the issues required.
(All whereas the golden water buffalo laughs!)
Additionally on the upside – Even whereas falling and touchdown in a muddy, watery farm ditch I stored my cellular phone out of the mud and water! Hooray – essential issues, ?
There are extra images and movies to return as I proceed to fix and readjust.
It is simply so nice to be house. That is all I can say.
Quiltville Quote of the Day –
You’ll by no means understand how a lot your smile can gentle up one other’s face –
Even for those who do not converse the identical language!
Give it a attempt!
Have a fantastic weekend, everybody – catch you again for extra on Monday.
