Tea, Sugar, a Dream » Vietnam

Debby’s Departures

teasugaradream — Sun, 15 May 2011 02:23:39 +0000

I’m taking off on new adventures. I’m traveling to new destinations. I’m going in new directions. But wait, I’m really not going that far. At least for my blogging, that is. I’ll still be blogging on Wanderlust and Lipstick. I’m just changing the name of my blogs from “Tea, Sugar, a Dream” to “Debby’s Departures.”

I’ve been blogging under the name “Tea, Sugar, a Dream” since October 2007. That’s three and a half years. Wow! I’m not sure how many blogs I’ve written. You would think I would have kept track, since the accountant in me likes numbers. But nonetheless, a big thank you to all my readers over the years, whether you have read one blog, all of them, or some number in between.

Through my stories and photos, I have taken you to places like The Galapagos Islands:

Vietnam:

Europe:

The Wonderland Trail:

Just to name a few. I will continue to blog about all of these places, plus future trips planned, such my upcoming travels to Bhutan.

If you are an email and/or RSS subscriber to my “Tea, Sugar, a Dream” blogs, please renew your subscription on “Debby’s Departures.”

I hope that you will continue to read my blogs and join me as I depart on new journeys!

Sweet Travels!

Visions of Vietnam: Inspirational Working Women

teasugaradream — Fri, 15 Apr 2011 05:00:39 +0000

In preparing to write my “Visions of Vietnam” blogs, I sat down with my photo albums and looked through my pictures. I began to write down a list of the photos, and then categorized them into blog ideas. You may have already read my three blogs on the category of children, and last week’s blog on the topic of smiling women. Most likely there will be more blogs on these subjects.

I was amazed, though, at how many pictures I put under the category of “women doing things.” And the list kept growing as I looked through my albums several times. I felt very empowered how women all over the world are talented, hard-working, and take pride in their accomplishments.

This very physically strong woman is cutting rice in a rice field. As she bent over to efficiently cut the rice, she kept cutting bunch after bunch after bunch with amazing ease and grace.

I tried my best to cut some rice, but definitely with not the success as the Vietnamese woman.

This woman’s talent and enjoyment can be seen in her terracotta figure making. I watched this woman create this cute little elf with her artistic hands.

This woman’s hands were busily weaving a basket out of water hyacinth. I asked her if her baskets were for sale, as I was considering buying one. They were for sale, but only for export to other countries, selling for several hundred dollars.

All these women are quite inspirational!

Sweet (and inspirational) Travels!

For more photos, go to Delicious Baby.

Visions of Vietnam: Women, their Smiling Faces, and their Clothing

teasugaradream — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 03:47:40 +0000

Vietnam is a multi-ethnic country. There are 54 distinct groups, each with its own culture, lifestyle, heritage, and language. Each ethnic group also has its own style of clothing.

When I visited Vietnam, I had the opportunity to experience about six groups personally, although I probably saw many more as I traveled around. I was definitely intrigued with the style of clothing of each group, and how they differed.

Many women were willing models, and showed some of their biggest smiles when the camera was taking their pictures. The woman above is a Black Dzao, taken at the Tam Duong market in the Sapa region of Vietnam. The hair is worn in a bun, kept in place by a silver frame resting on top of the head.

This woman is of the Flower H’mong, one of the most colorfully dressed groups, with intricately embroidered clothing. This photo was taken at the Coc Ly market in the Bac Ha region. I love her happy and enthusiastic smile.

This friendly woman’s photo was taken in the Mekong Delta area, where I was on a bicycle ride in this region. She was walking on the road as I was passing by, and more than willing to model for this photo. I love the warmth and wisdom in her smile.

The clothing of each of woman is definitely beautiful, and representative of their ethnicity.

Sweet Travels!

See more photos at DeliciousBaby!