Vietnam in Photos – Fertility Statues at the Ethnology Museum in Hanoi
July 12, 2009 1:06 pm
This recreation of a traditional tomb was surrounded by fertility statues. Taken at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology in Hanoi.
This is my one of my current computer wallpapers [full size is here if anyone wants it]. Taken at the Temple of Literature in Hanoi.
Vietnam in Photos – Hanoi Literature Temple
July 11, 2009 8:13 pm
These are the kids from the Literature Temple in Hanoi. As you can see, there are a great many of them. Now picture me, pressed into a corner surrounded by the whole giggling group, and you will get a better picture of my Literature Temply Experience.
In all honestly, they were super cute and funny, but it was pretty overwhelming to be unexpectedly surrounded by a whole group of children and interrogated about my name, home town, and career. I’m still a little puzzled about why I was so much more interesting than Miles & Leanne seemed to be, but I doubt I will ever know.
Also pictured is one of the kids rubbing the head of one of the Tortoise statues at the temple. Tortoises are one of four sacred creatures in Vietnam, and they symbolize longevity. I was told that it is very good luck to rub their heads, as it is something of a prayer/wish for long life.
Vietnam in Photos – Hoi An
June 28, 2009 9:31 pm
This shot was taken at one of the assembly halls in Hoi An. The assembly halls were built by the Chinese during the old silk trading days, and the Chinese influence was noticeable in architecture and styling. There were altars and incense bowls all over, and I was the only person in the hall so I had free reign of the place.
Vietnam in Photos – day whatever
June 21, 2009 3:23 pm
I love this picture. I took this one our second day in Hoi An, in the early morning just as the shops were opening. Hoi An is gorgeous, and well known for it’s tailor shops and silk goods of all kinds. When I took this shot, I was walking around on my own just peeking into the shops and enjoying the relative quiet of the day. After the shops open, it gets a little intense to stop and look at anything because if the shop owners spot you checking something out, they immediately approach you to make the sale. But walking around at 8 in the morning was like a whole different world: there were almost no cars or motorbikes on the street and half the shop owners were still setting up, so I was able to take some photos uninterrupted.
