Cross a narrow bridge and the vast paddy fields on your right, cycle your way through town for twenty minutes and you will find yourself in a completely different place. A place overwhelmed with colourful and beautiful traditional lanterns that flicker with the wind. These hues of yellow, blue, red and green are mirrored by their reflections on the waters, bringing Hoi An to a state of liveliness I wanted to just dance in.
A little stage, like a box decorated with its own distinctive diamond shaped lanterns emitted sounds from traditional instruments and a high-pitched opera duet that I couldn't comprehend but couldn't help smiling to because it sounded like a romantic story.
Wouldn't it be nice to go back in time in this place, where everyone wore bao dai's finely crafted by the locals themselves, coupled with triangular bamboo hats. Where everyone walked or cycled to the many little stalls around to get pho's, tau fu fah's, pancakes and rice papers, and black sesame soup. Where everyone worked so simply to earn a simple living, stopping halfway sometimes to bask in the lovely culture the place had to offer.
Well, Hoi An, Vietnam is just that. :)
