The Vietnamese Performing Arts Group's Brief, but Third Visit to Vietnam

All Photographs by Eric McAllister

Wednesday December 13, 2005 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)

To turn around and plan a new show or workshops or other in Vietnam in 2006, right after completing a full production in 2005, would have been exhausting. Additionally, we thought we should take some time to synthesize all we had learned from the previous trip before we returned for a new production or even workshops. But it was difficult to consider not making a return visit all together.
So Danny Nguyen and Eric McAllister decided to return on vacation, trying to explore more of the country of Vietnam. We felt that traveling all that way though did require that we at least do something — at least bring some small token of help or assistance, bringing a little hope or joy to someone. We decided that the best thing to do was to bring medications and daily toiletries that we take for granted — because they are so easily accessible to us at reasonable prices and according to consistent quality standards. So they are needed and appreciated by many.
Along on the trip with us were Danny's sister Lisa and her beau Gary Helms. Traveling to a tropical climate knowing that we would probably return with souveniers, none of us had much to take with us. So bringing medicines and the like was also an easy prospect. We could each check two pieces of luggage and carry on a third. Most of our own necessities such as clothes fit in one bag each. Oddly enough, the gifts we brought along weighed more than anything else we had. Of course clearing customs was our biggest concern, but we looked at it this way. What was the worst they would probably do? Confiscate part or all of it? It is possible that we may have been a little over our personal limits. But we made it through without much difficulty. One of us was questioned a bit at bag screening, but done within five minutes.
Danny and Lisa's aunt — a longtime, personnal friend of the family — greeted us at the Saigon airport and helped us transport the luggage to our hotel. We spent several hours dividing the goodies into portions for different groups. We took two small parcels went to churches in Saigon that evening. Then Danny and Lisa's aunt made us a wonderful dinner and also stored the rest of the parcels for us while we went on a 3-day Mekong River tour.

Sunday December 17, 2005 - Along the Way to Dalat

Early in the morning on Sunday, we met up with Danny and Lisa's aunt. We stacked the luggage in the back of the family van and started off for the area around Dalat. It was a beautiful sunny day and a great day for the ride. After so many days on and near the river, it was a nice change to see the rolling countryside dotted with bustling small towns and many farms scattered in between. We stopped for a lovely lunch along the side of a babbling brook as we started into the larger hills that lead to Dalat.
Our first stop was at a small orphanage for the deaf run by nuns that Danny and Lisa's aunt knows. There, two young orphan boys were eager to help and curious to see and meet some friendly new faces. They helped us carry the medicines and toiletries. Danny and Lisa's aunt had also helped us acquire some cases of staple foods such as noodles and soups and the like. We had a few toys along with us too and gave them each one.
Our next stop was a few minutes away were we met nuns who were deemed terminally ill. They seemed well taken care of and many turned out to come and visit with us and to hear any news that Danny, Lisa, and their aunt could supply. They were wonderful to us and we wish them well, less discomfort, and as many days on this earth as they desire. Like many places in the area, here too coffee beans were spread out on the ground in front of the home to dry in the sun. It gave one the sense that they realized they still had things to do and contribute. And that they could see and be part of regular daily and seasonal changes. It provided an odd sense of hope.
Next we went to a large plantation-like complex nearby. The farm part is used to grow tea and coffee, so it was very green, looked groomed, and here too coffee was spread everywhere there was space to dry in the sun. We saw the orphans first, in a chapel near the main drive. They were attending their Sunday services and singing hymns when we arrived. Some of them helped us bring the boxes and cartons of food staples into the main kitchen. We had also brought along a good amount of toothpaste and toothbrushes for them.
In the same complex, we next went to see the aging nuns. Though they were retired and living out the remainder of their lives, many were quite lively and welcoming. We were given hot tea (grown right there) and a light snack. Afterwards we visited with the nuns and went room-to-room to meet those that could not move about or who were not able to care for themselves. Obviously, the sisters all took care of and looked out for one another. Many graciously posed for a few photographs with us.
The sister pictured above was one of our room-to-room guides. She was suffering from what appeared to be osteoporosis and couldn't have been much more than four feet tall. Her obvious goal was to make sure that none of the less fortunate sisters went without a visit.
By the time we were heading out, the orphans' church service had ended and they were playing in the yards. Many of the posed for a picture with us. Since it was play time, we felt that meant it was candy time too. Danny was enveloped in a sea of children as he handed out a small treat for all before we boarded the van to Dalat.