It was fun speeding across the lake in a small boat, passing others coming and going. There have been times on this trip when we really do feel like we're on the Amazing Race, and we want to say"quick, pass that boat, we're in a race,"!
Soon though, we came to a village and our first stop, a silversmith. Of course there was the requisite demonstration before we were led into the showroom. No more silver jewelry for me.
When I saw the roller, I was excited as I have a similar roller for silver that belonged to our grandfather who was a jeweler.
Although I have seen photos of these women, I was still a bit taken aback when I noticed their neck jewelry. Jim read that they cannot remove these, or they would die as their necks are stretched too much to hold their heads up.
My favorite was the umbrella factory, though. I enjoyed seeing the project from raw paper and bamboo stays, to finished umbrellas.
In the market I saw all the makings for beetle nut packets. First the leaves are coated with a white paste that looks like plaster, then the beetle nut pieces and a variety of other things are added before they are folded up for selling and chewing...
The view from the window.
And a stop further up river to a very old pagoda and the nearby monastery. These monks were watching some funny show on tv. I just find it very sweet to see them doing ordinary things like this.
It seems that it would be strange to have tourists traipsing through your living space all day, but they were very welcoming.
Their simple kitchen. What more do you need, really?
Silk spinning at the weaving workshop.
Mixed weaving with silk and lotus fiber.
Very beautiful, and very expensive.
Our boat captain! He still had several places that he wanted to show us, like jumping cat monastery and another pagoda or two, but we said it would please us very much to go directly back to the hotel.
So that's what we did, and we gave him a nice tip for shaving two hours off the trip! 7 hours on the lake was more than enough.
Those dyed fabrics are wonderful! Delicious color. Enjoying your travelogue. Nick Bantock was right, you have a real knack for writing!
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