Week Three: Sunday — February 02, 2020Da Lat, Vietnam It Takes a Village . . .

I am sure that you have heard of the saying, “It Takes a Villageto Raise a Child?” This adage continues to ring true here in Vietnam.The culture is very much focused on the whole group rather than on theindividual and social interaction is paramount. Families andneighborhoods seemingly look for opportunities to interact with eachother. Tet is a perfect example of this. Individual family members willtravel hundreds if not thousands of miles to be together for this annualcelebration of the Lunar New Year. People will plan Pre-Tet and PostTet parties in order to extendtheir times for being togetherand being in the Novitiate doesnot rule out this practice.

Last week we were visited by the novices of theSVD Congregation (The Vincentians) for a day of funand relaxation. The highlight of the day was the annualVolleyball and Soccer Tournament between our novices

and the SVDnovices. Now, since we have a total of twenty-five youngmen and they had a smaller group of twelve one would thinkthat we would have the advantage. So much for that thoughtwhen the twelve SVDers showed up on the court withfreshly laundered matching uniforms! They were obviouslyprepared and we knew that we were in trouble. Our ragtagtroupe of athletes played their best but it was obvious thattheir main concern was to enjoy themselves rather than tobeat their opponents. I asked one of our young novices what

the final score was and he couldn’t tell me. All he would say is that “we had a good time!” Nowthat’s how I like to see sports played.

Later in the week we were visited by the novices ofthe FMM (Franciscan Missionaries of Mary) and wegathered together in our dining room to share numeroussnacks and refreshments. The good sisters are a prominentpresence in Vietnam and they operate many clinics andnursing facilities as well as child care centers for the poor.They work hand in hand with the Franciscans and they aretruly loved by the people.

Western Style Spaghetti withBaloney!

Savory Chicken Curry &Freshly Baked Banh

We were alsoinvited to the home ofour cook who is ofChinese descent. Shelives not too far from thenovitiate with her family.I wish that I could havetaken some pictures ofmy motorbike journey to

her house but I was preoccupied with hanging onto the shoulders of my driver for dear life! DaLat is built on the sides of many hills which are honeycombed with housesand small cottage businesses. From the streets the homes look quiterundown but on the inside they are immaculate. Her home was noexception and, as small as it was we managed to fit twenty-five plus

Franciscans into the front room where we enjoyed anexquisite bowl of freshly made pork dumpling whichshe prepared by hand. They were exquisite, to say theleast! And to complete the celebration we all enjoyeda glass of Bird’s Nest drink which is made from thenests of the Indian Swiftlet bird. It was definitely oneof the foods that qualified for their popular and oftused saying, “it’s good for your health!”

Yes, it takes a village to foster and encourage family bonds. Foodand drink are essential to this bonding and the care that is put into its preparation is yet anotherindication of the respect that the people have for each other. It is alwaysprepared with the utmost care and attention to detail. Food is never justthrown on a plate. It is purposefully presented so that it is appealing tothe eye as well as to the stomach. It is a social event and everyoneparticipates.

Most times the food is presented on a platter and everyone partakes of itby placing small amounts into tiny(by USAstandards) individual bowls. I think that theunwritten reason for the small bowls is sothat the time together can be extended.

God bless the novices because theyare trying desperately to prepare what theythink are Western Style meals for me, even though I constantly tellthem that I am OK with Vietnamese food. And, as odd as some oftheir creations turn out to be, they are always presented with careand attention. I will dutifully sample their creation and then share itwith the rest of the diners at my table.

Procession for Feast of the Presentation

Because this is my eleventh year in Vietnam, I’mbeginning to take more of their social graces for granted. I nolonger find it odd or unusual to spend extra time together formeals. And driving through the streets of the city without trafficlights seems perfectly normal. Showing respect and care towardthe elders is not only common but it is expected of you. Childrenbeing corrected and disciplined by the residents of theirneighborhood is both allowed and encouraged. Oh my goodness!It feels like I am living in the 1950s USA. And for all of this I amthankful.

Peace and All Good!

Bruce