Saigon, May 26

This morning I visited a nursery school. There were close to a hundred kids, and it was very pleasant, with Disney murals painted on the walls. Judging by the way the kids were dressed their parents are definitely privileged. I stayed for over an hour and though there were only a handful of teachers, things went very smoothly. What a contrast with the childcare center that my kids attend.

I am glad I brought only color film with me. I am starting to play all sorts of photographic games to get beyond the types of images I have made in other countries. I experimented using a strobe with softbox attachment at dusk, but ended up getting distracted by it. One could easily become seduced to make only portraits here since the people are so engaging and quite beautiful but that wouldn't be very challenging. I am trying to stay open and let the situation dictate the kind of images I make. If I keep shooting at this rate I'll have to supplement the sixty rolls of film that I brought with me.

Dalat, May 27

On the bus ride to Dalat the landscape changed from rice paddies to foothills and then to pine forests. At an altitude of 4500 feet it's a relief from the heat of Saigon. Dalat is one of those melancholic mountain towns that immediately puts me at ease.

Rainy afternoon.The light is fading quickly as the vendors hawk their wares. The voices, especially those of the women, rise steadily. On the corner another group of several women are buying and selling gold. Their handbags are stuffed with money including wads of dollars. One of them smiles for a photo. Behind them is a large colorful poster of Ho Chi Minh.

Dalat, May 28

There are few references here for a Westerner. I'm struck by the lack of technology. People here still work with their hands and everything is recycled, nothing gets thrown away. There are streets where all they sell are used parts for Hondas, men finishing and spray painting fender guards that look new. It's difficult to imagine the American presence here during the war since the daily life is so far removed from ours. I don't know if I've caught up with reality yet dropping in so quickly from the States.

6:00 am: In the midst of all the traffic I noticed a single file of monks walking down the street followed by a colorful float with four heavily made up little girls on top fanning themselves. In the rear a marching band is playing "Beseme Mucho". It's a Buddhist funeral.

First impressions: most people are receptive to being photographed and aren't shy about offering soulful smiles. Not the distant looks from another planet one sometimes encounters in far off places. I can feel eyes on me everywhere. People watching me while I photograph others. The attention would probably drive a lot of people crazy but I love it. It's the opposite of the anonymity of life in the States.

Saigon
Dalat 1 | 2
Nha Trang
Hoi Ann
Hue
Hanoi 1 | 2
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