Tet Lunar New Year - A High Point



Putting a wrap on my very special New Year with Servas family. 

Still catching up on days gone by, but I didn’t want to miss sharing this high point in all my travels - and there have been many!

Fascinating rituals, visiting all the (many!) family households, all within walking distance, where we are served wine, tea and snacks. Heart, soul and belly over full. 


The boy “George” spoke pretty good English; his mother asked him to be my guide. The two girls were all over me by the time I was leaving. 

Ten-year-old Nana wanted to sing karaoke with me. This is what she chose to sing:

Believer

https://youtu.be/W0DM5lcj6mw?si=GAJB5jQgMwSkkBkP

The “religion” in most of the households we visited is ancestor worship. These incredible altars central in the living room, often incense and candles burning (or had been). The family is close-knit.

They also had snake wine (whiskey). Frog and banana, too! Luckily, I wasn’t it wasn’t offered; if so, probably would have opted for the banana - 🍌.


Loved the karma posters on the wall outside the temple. Our last stop, for good luck in the new year.



I received gifts too. This one is “lucky” sticky rice, wrapped in a banana leaf.

Back to Hanoi soon.

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