-^-for posterity-^-

the second coming of the new year. tonight was festive.

we gathered around the large, bronze statue of uncle ton. he was the second president after uncle ho and grew up in the area. the streets, normally crowded with motorcycles, were now crowded with people, balloons and new year zeal.

there was a large stage with the words, “mung xuan quy mui”, plastered behind it. we were all wished happiness and prosperity in this new year of the goat. there were a number of acts performed on stage. everything from pop music to traditional dance. it was a cultural tossed salad all united by the ranch dressing of the new year.

hundreds of roving packs of children yelled, “hello.” countless ladies sold balloons twisted and shaped into a variety of animals. there were dragons and monkeys, people and snakes. all was wonderfully loud.

some children had strange haircuts. small boys, about three or four years old, had their hair shaved to the scalp except for three patches: the forehead and above both ears. it looked quite odd to me but i’m sure it had some cultural significance.

jack bought me a balloon. it was large, red and suspended on a thin bamboo pole. i walked around with it proudly for a bit but then gave it to the cutest little child i found. she smiled sincerely and i felt good, like i had saved the world.

back home we can still hear the sounds of bands walking through the streets. we’re two hours away from the year of the goat and we have to reverently say goodbye to the year of the horse. all is well in this strange, strange world.