May 20

Tuesday, May 20^th

Good morning from Danang, Vietnam!

Today started with an incredible breakfast buffet assortment at our hotel of fresh fruit, stir fry noodles, sausage and the tastiest mini chocolate muffins. After a short bus ride, we started our tour of a local silk factory.

A representative of the company walked us through the entire silk process. The freshly hatched baby silkworms wiggled in a big pile of mulberry leaves where they eat for three days and then sleep one day. Next the growing worms were moved to a bigger space still stocked with piles of leaves for them to eat and grow. Then at 5-6 weeks of age the worms spin themselves into a cocoon and emerge two weeks later as a moth. The female moth lays her eggs, and new worms hatch a short 16 days later.

The cocoon has a special purpose. It is soaked in hot water briefly before a skilled worker begins pulling it into a fine thread. The thread is then dyed and woven into beautiful fabric with a machine they imported from England in the 1940s. Our guide told us they can weave 25-30 meters of fabric each day but only 40cm wide.

Next, we visited artists who had the special job of using silk thread to embroider custom images on fabric. Their work was exquisite and resulted in a picture in silk that rivaled the original. Their efforts could take as long as two months to finish one custom order.

After the tour students had several hours of free time to roam the shops along the streets. Several also participated in a lantern making workshop using the silk fabric made by the factory.

On our next stop students got the chance to pair up and join a guide for a tour of a coconut farm from a small circular boat. Several students took the opportunity to jump in another circle boat and get a spinning ride from a professional spinner.

We also floated to the edge of the coconut trees and fished for crabs with a pole and little bits of meat. It was very fun to pull the small purple crabs up out of the water and a few even invited themselves into the boats.

Lunch was served at a restaurant nearby and we enjoyed banana flour crunch wraps, rice, spring rolls, cabbage soup, and watermelon for dessert.

After our delicious lunch, we loaded up the bus to head back to the hotel, where we had the afternoon to ourselves. Students were free to wander along the beach, nap, shop, and even participate in parasailing. Parasailing was a top contender among the group. Check that off the bucket list!

Our group had a great afternoon in the sun before meeting in the hotel lobby to head to supper. Withing walking distance of our hotel was a quaint little restaurant called Cam Nha Linh. Supper included various vegetables, egg drop-like soup, fish, chicken wings, rice, omelets, squid, and pork belly with shrimp.

After finishing a delectable meal, the group was free once again to wander, shop, and enjoy the evening. A group of us went down the street to enjoy some gelato. Popular flavors included coffee, milk chocolate, tiramisu, and biscottino. What a great time in Danang! Now, off to bed before our early(ish) flight to Ho Chi Minh City tomorrow!

Tam biet, Ella & Claire