Last morning in Soc Trang

The boys on the bridge. They were so happy to have their
photo taken even thought they knew they would never
see the result. The experience was what mattered.  

It is 7:30 am on Friday. Sunny skies as we prepare for our last meeting and leaving Soc Trang. We have so many wonderful images and a much clearer understanding of the needs of Vietnamese shrimp farmers. The people here have been very open and welcoming and I will be sorry to leave them.

Yesterday as we headed back to Soc Trang we stopped to take photos from a bridge over the river. The boats have a special propeller that can be lifted and turned to miss the vegetation that populates the river and Michael wanted photos. We noticed a bunch of children gathering and realized they wanted their picture taken. I have many of the group and other children that appeared. We all laughed and had a wonderful interaction without words. I will post the photos when we return.

Photo taken by Michael Chambers

Michael also noticed a woman with an interesting basket for catching small fish on the bank of the river. She was watching the interaction with the children and enjoying it. Michael asked her if he could take pictures of her with her basket. She was happy to help. He got some lovely images.

Mother and child.

 Her daughter (possibly daughter-in-law) was there with her baby and I was lucky she let me take their photo as well. They didn't understand English nor we Vietnamese, but it was a lovely interaction that left us all with smiles on our faces. The children all cheered and waived after a few last pictures and we departed. A lovely memory for me.

After the meeting this morning, we will be returning for a final evening in Ho Chi Minh city. I will send another post tonight.

Faye