More about Tet
01/22/2009
I had a wonderful time yesterday learning a bit more about the Tet holiday. When I went out to get my morning bread i decided, somewhat on a whim, to continue on to the local market. It was a very busy morning, and people were loading pots of yellow flowers and small orange trees on motorbikes and bicycles. I learned later that the yellow flowers signify prosperity (yellow for gold). People buy these large plants much like we do a Christmas tree, and decorate their homes with them during Tet. They are beautiful! At the market I bought some candies to give as Tet gifts in case I am invited to people's homes. Little did I know that I would soon receive an invitation.
Later that morning, my host arrived to take me to the post office. Since it was closed for lunch (which in Nha Trang seems to be from 11:30-1:30), she instead too me to her lovely home for lunch followed by a short rest. Then she kindly offered to let me borrow her son's bicycle, which we took back to the dorm after lunch. As we rode north back to campus, I admired the beautiful lights being put on the trees, and how the city is putting all kinds of flowers and shrubs on the bridge. The sea to our right was stunning, a rich turquoise blue. After pushing my bike up the hill, I rode around campus for awhile. Back at the dorm I discovered that the University had given our dormitory a pot of lovely yellow flowers. After struggling a little to carry the bike up to my room on the 3rd floor, I cooled off by drinking the Pepsi Light I'd been saving for a special occasion.
I was pleased when my host invited me to a Tet dinner at her sister's home yesterday evening. It was absolutely delightful! After arriving by motorbike, we slipped off our shoes and entered the home. her father was sitting on a bench in the entry way, and I sat with him for awhile before meeting other members of the family. He spoke in a cheerful and welcoming way, but since I don't understand much Vietnamese, my host handled the translation. In the Vietnamese way, he wanted to know how old I was, if I was married, if I had any children, how long I would be here, and perhaps a few other things.
Mats placed on the floor were set with place settings--bowls and chopsticks for what seemed like 20 or more people. I learned that they normally have a table, but it would not be large enough to accommodate everyone who comes for Tet. The food, which was quite tasty, included sticky rice, flat white rice cakes, barbecued chicken (not a tomato-based barbecue), roast duck, a plate of organ meats, Vietnamese sausage, greens and tomatoes, and some bitter-tasting green vegetable that you eat with dried shredded pork. A noodle soup came near the end of the meal, followed by watermelon. They gave me a spoon, but I managed to use my chopstickes for everything, including the soup. A guest could not have been treated with greater warmth and hospitality. Some of the people there spoke a little English, but the smiles in their eyes and on their faces conveyed far more than words ever could.
On the way back to the dorm we talked more about the customs of Tet, and how important it is to be the way you want to be on Tet because that is an indicator of what your fortune will be in the coming year. In the weeks leading up to Tet, people visit doctors and dentists to be sure they will have no pain on Tet (because that would signify having pain all year). You want to avoid anger, so you will have a harmonious year. You should refresh your wardrobe, pay off your debts, clean everything, and have plenty of food, all harbingers of good things to come.
It definitely was a memorable day and I felt very honored to have been included in this family celebration.
