As we cruised the Mekong River, there were stops at small villages along the way. Always the people were interesting to me as they went about the business of life, and I love having made a memory of them with my camera.
Always, children are irresistible
and are willing subjects. I was saddened, however, that so many, some younger than 5, hawk their wares rather than attend school. How can you not wonder what life holds for them and if their faces will always be so smiling?
Some faces convey the challenges of life
and I find myself wanting to know their story.
Sometimes the story is there as with the women selling at the market
or a young woman working her loom.
There are faces that break your heart
and others that challenge the imagination.
And, then there are these faces belonging to the Traveling Sisterhood, smiling and happy, showing no sign of desperation or want. I am reminded once again how very kind life is to me.
i so appreciate your visit and the comments you leave behind
Lulu's Musings 
Totally terrific postings from your trip. Love it.
Thanks, Billie. You are a good and loyal follower.
Linda, the comment from Linda Corwin is so true. You are a very talented photographer and storyteller. I have so enjoyed the sharing of such a special trip, and I thank you for this gift. Please continue to “bother with your blog.”
Dawn Rigby
I cannot convey adequately to you how very moving your travelogue has been. I find myself brought to tears frequently, and yes, we too often just don’t realize how fortunate we are. You are a gifted storyteller in every sense of the word. Your “traveling sisterhood” is a fabulous group. I will miss your stories when you return to the U.S.
With gratitude and awe,
Linda Corwin
Linda, sometimes I ask myself why bother with a blog and then a comment like yours comes along and makes me realize the effort is worth it. Thank you so much and for traveling with me.
Oh, geez, Linda….that really is a thought-provoking and heartstring tugging pictorial. It DOES make you wonder about the little kids. So sad. And the old ladies. But my goodness those elderly ladies were limber!!! I couldn’t get my knee up that close to my face without snapping half the tendons in my body!!! 🙂 All the pictures cause me to wonder, “What if?”
I think the women’s size has something to do with their flexibility. To the day she died, my mother could pull both knees up under her chin which amazed me!
Traveling the world indeed opens ones eyes and widens ones heart. I have been to third world countries that rock your soul and make you weak in the knees with gratitude for our own blessings.
Cheryl, you’ve totally hit the nail on the head. My conclusion from this travel is that I am in the best place.
Linda, your blog today is superb.. Every face tells a story to me too.. thanks for sharing.. Lovely to see the Travelling Sisterhood all glammed up for dinner I take It?
Jean, that may have been the one night on the boat we were cleaned up!!
Those are amazing photos, Linda. I can’t imagine what life holds for some of those children…
Those are troubling thoughts, Marigene.
These children are far from being unhappy nor miserable, they have the care of their families (mostly the women: Grand mother, mother, aunts, older siblings etc…), they are fed and even if their houses are shacks, they have a roof but mostly they have a “home”. They don’t go to school until they turn 7, when they learn to read and write and some of them may never stay at school long, they chose to work the land or they learn a “trade”. This is how most of the poor people live (actually 3/4 of our planet)…That’s why they “smile”, because they feel safe and taken care of by their families and people. They are better off than the many kids in “civilized” parts of the world who are left “alone”, unattended, not cared for, not loved and badly nourished (w/junk food), stuck in front of a TV or computer, because the parents are never home…They are poor but what they have they appreciate and they are anything but “miserable”. Don’t feel bad for them. They are happy to see visitors and they love to interact with them. They are also learning to be “hospitable”. Now, you can feel sad and concerned about the “faces” of the older ones, because they have witnessed “horrors” for sure…
I am so happy to see your photos and to know how much you are enjoying your trip. I feel “homesick” for Vietnam! Thank you for sharing.
Juliette, I have so appreciated your perspective and the time you’ve have taken to express it.
amazing………..just amazing………these are the most moving photos……..I so very, very enjoyed them.
….and I am so grateful to have you faithfully journeying with me.
It has been/is fun following the sojourn….thank you.
You are welcome. I’ve enjoyed having all of you experience the adventure with me.