However, the beginning didn't seem very auspicious. We were supposed to meet next to the VEO office at 6 am and to my dismay, it was already 5:50 am when I woke up. As quick as possible I ran out of my house and took a taxi. I reached 110 Thai Thinh street at 6:10 when everyone was already on the bus and I found out that my usual companion was already sitting with someone. A little disorientated and still not 100% awake I sat on the first free seat I noticed. And after a small introduction I found common ground with my new companion, Đức. I would have never thought that I would have a possibility to practice my German with a Vietnamese guy! I felt very lucky to meet him. The four hours of journey just rolled by when we were talking. Before we arrived in Mai Chau, we had stopped over to straighten our legs and take some pictures since the view was amazing. It was also when I could realise how many volunteers were taking part in the trip. At first I felt a little lost, unable to find familiar faces but then a lot of friendly people came closer to talk to me and it turned out that most of them don't know anyone, so we quickly related to each other.
Two kilometres from our destination we had to change to a smaller bus. Finally, we arrived. Although it was a mountainous area, the weather was still as hot as in Hanoi. What we noticed in Lac Village were very well-kept stilt houses and a lot of homestays for tourists. We could also see a few looms next to our guesthouse. We knew that region is very famous for its handicraft but we didn't expect to see the workshop just next to our homestay. At the very first moment I saw the colourful skirts I promised myself to buy one.
After taking a look around our homestay, we had lunch and then together with my Malaysian, French and three Vietnamese friends took a random path to discover the corners of the countryside. We especially enjoyed the silence and peacefulness of the forest and riverside.
After this relaxing walk, we started preparing for the volunteer work. The Vietnamese members of the teaching group had already prepared all the materials so our task was just support them during the lesson and correct the pronunciation. Unfortunately, not many students from the village turned up so there was not much to do for all the teachers. That's why the other foreigners and I decided to join the group that was transplanting banana trees. There we finally found ourselves more occupied. We had to detach the baby trees from their mother and plant them in the previously dug holes. Despite the burning sun, we enjoyed the work and felt very proud of ourselves afterwards. We hope that our work will help the inhabitants of the village. (Of course after the work, it was time for posing ;))
Even though we were tired, we came back to the open-air "classroom" where the kids were playing with the Vietnamese volunteers. It was very funny to participate in the games and realise that we don't need to speak the same language in order to have fun together.
Then we had some free time when we could rent bicycles or just walk around the countryside. I decided to immerse myself (literally) in the paddy fields.
After getting rid of the mud, it was time for dinner. It was beautifully served on the banana leaves. We had also a chance to try sweet local wine sipping it from an enormous pot through long bamboo straws. For me it tasted like a raspberry syrup that I miss from Poland!
The dinner was followed by the Gala Night. After the experience from Coi Village where the heavy rain spoilt the party, I didn't expect much. I must admit, that evening was a big suprise for me. I didn't know Vietnamese people from that side. I used to think they didn't really like to dance or party but then I found out that they could also enjoy themselves and, what is more, without drinking alcohol (unless I missed some part of the event?). I am not sure if this would be possible in my country ;)
First the youngest participants of our trip performed the chicken dance, then we listened to all the four teams singing popular Vietnamese songs. Later, there was a competition, we were divided into 4 teams according to the colors of bracelets we got. There were a few funny rounds with challenges like: throwing with the water balloon at a living target, a word quiz in English etc. Then we could try the traditional game of Thai people - dancing between the moving bamboo poles. Finally, we lit a bonfire and started dancing wildly around it. However, I'm not sure if it was a good idea because the fire made us feel even hotter but it will be one of the most unforgettable moments of the trip. It felt like dancing in an open-air club with the lightnings replacing the mirror ball.
When we were about to order barbecue, suddenly a downpour began. We had to hide on the terrace under our stilt house. Then we joined the party inside the other team's house. Although there were so many people, I think it was the trip when we spent the most time having fun together.
On Sunday, as on every VEO trip, we had to wake up very early. The early birds woke up even earlier to observe the sunrise! I was too lazy and I decided to get up just before breakfast. Like in Sapa, we had typical Vietnamese porridge with chicken for breakfast.
Then we set off for a field game. We had to complete some tasks in our teams. First was walking on stilts, then passing the bottle using our knees without touching it, taking pictures with the traditional outfits and solving a picture puzzle. All in the beautiful countryside and filled with colors Mai Chau market.
After the game, there was even bigger challenge awaiting us. We had to climb over 1000 steps to reach the Chieu Cave. Luckily, on our way we could admire the beautiful view of Mai Chau what made the trekking more pleasant.
We also enjoyed the cool temperature inside the cave!
After the effort we made to climb ub to the cave we were too tired to go back to the village on foot. We rented electric cars that took us to the market where we could buy a lot of souvenirs. I was especially happy with one of my purchases - the traditional colourful pleated skirt. Before we left Mai Chau, we had time for lunch and the indispensable nap.
Now tears well up in my eyes when I think that my Vietnamese adventure with VEO is over. I have seen how the life in the countryside looks like, how big tourist potential it has, I have met a lot of kind-hearted people and last but not least I have had an opportunity to put my small brick in this wall bombastically called development of the disadvantaged rural areas.
If you are also willing to experience this, join the future events of VEO, Next weekend you can take part in a trip to Mai Chau again :) You can find all the events on the Vietnamese and English Facebook fanpages.
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