5/14 Mekong Monkey Bridge

After about 8 hours of driving, a stop at a coconut candy factory, a lacquer factory that employed the disabled and victims of the war, and a boat ride to a bee farm, I was dropped off on the side of the road and put on the back of Tre's motorbike bound for a night at a home stay.  We drove through stunning lush scenery, tiny crooked bridges and even smaller canal paths to his home on a little delta island at the juncture of two canals.  He introduced me to his mother, father, three daughters, grandmother, aunt, and two sisters.  The house was simple, big, and very open. There were lots of very small hammocks on the long wide porch that sat over the canal. We took a walk along the main canal to meet his wife who was working in their bean fields. We reached a small canal that had a few pieces of very small bamboo tied together.  He looked at me, then the bamboo, laughed and said "Monkey Bridge".  I thought and may have said "WHAT??? You want me to cross that?".  I couldn't even see half of it as it was submerged in the water.  I took a deep breath, took off my shoes and slowly awkwardly and half bent over attempted to cross.  About half way, I thought this is not so .... and the bridge broke.  I fell into the canal, sinking into what felt like quicksand terrified of all the crazy creatures and deadly diseases.  Tre helped me out.  I was soaked and covered in mud, but apparently creature and hopefully disease free. .  By the time we reached his wife, we were all laughing.  I helped to water the beans, then we walked over to some rice paddys and watermelon fields.  Observation: the women were the ones who were doing most of the work.  On the way back, Tre fixed the bridge in about three minutes.  I passed safely and quite gracefully - well compared to the first attempt anything would be graceful;). Dinner was the best meal that I have had since I've been here.  Perhaps one of the top 3 in the last 6 months of being abroad.  Tre sat next to me squatting on his chair and guided me as we ate elephant fish, spring rolls, incredible sour green mangos in a dark rich fish broth, rice, and cold cucumber soup. After dinner, we walked down the same path to his mother-in-laws house/cafe.  All the houses were open.  Most families were watching tv.  Most of the main living rooms were sparsely decorated except for large ornate cabinets with ancestral Buddhist shrines  We then sat and had really strong iced coffee.  As soon as we finished half, he poured green tea to top it off!  It was surprisingly refreshing and good. Thanks to that amazing coffeetea, I lay awake for a few hours grateful for the quiet, the food, and even monkey bridges;).