Today is quite a special day for many people in our country. Happy and sad people have it, the reason is because it is the anniversary of a historical milestone, the victory that ended the war between the North and the South, leading to the unification of the country under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (30/ April 1975). I am living in Da Lat a city belonging to the people in the South back in the day, they were not so happy, it was a deep trauma of the civil war. The weather today is bleak and sad, overcast with drizzle and fog, and chilly temperatures. But we still took to the streets and backed away from the city center to the more remote suburbs to find a gentle sadness.
We roamed by motorbike to the suburbs near Trai Mat station of Da Lat city. The two of us didn't talk much on the road and looked at the pictures together on the journey. Because it's a public holiday, it's not too crowded, those who want to celebrate go out to play, while sad people stay at home gnawing on nostalgia or simply lazily stepping out in the middle of a cold sky and light rain in the clouds. The stages to celebrate the big and grand anniversary in the central square were quite sparse except for the crowded traffic gathered around Xuan Huong lake. We found an interesting roadside cafe as we moved further out of the center into the higher hills. It looks rustic and cold, attracting us to stop by to enjoy a bit before abandoning motorbikes and walking in these small local streets.
Here, it is imbued with the ancient culture of the indigenous mountain people of Da Lat, with small two-story wooden houses and furniture made of pine or sitting on the floor with pads. The decorations also look old-fashioned and strangely simple. It's cold, we both choose coffee, but I like to drink cold drinks when it's cold to feel different than a cup of coffee with hot milk from my friend. The space is like a close home of the owner and welcomes the wanderer with the rich and passionate scent of coffee. I feel happy when I can feel mild but positive sadness in my heart, in my thoughts and stories about the past of history.
We left the cafe and left our motorbikes and continued walking along the small path that led halfway up the mountain. It is still quite poor here in contrast to the lavish city far away in the valley. Just look at some of the materials to build infrastructure and roads here to understand their economic condition.
Small farms that grow flowers and vegetables in greenhouses built on the slopes are the main source of income for the locals. The terrain is quite high, so misty clouds cover the valley and play a game of hide and seek with the mountains in the distance. Recently, some keen people have moved towards developing tourism products such as accommodation, active games in the pine forest, coffee and local restaurants thanks to the high terrain and beautiful landscape here. Passing by and stopping to look at the small houses, lying precariously on these slopes, we felt the shy eyes of the people here. They have an innocent, precious and curious look. Perhaps they belong to the ethnic minorities and rarely meet strangers in the bustling city.
At the end of the uninhabited road, it led straight into a path in the pine forest. We followed it and went deep around that hill to the other side. The howling of the pine trees in the wind brings a feeling of sadness and solitude. The silent space for footsteps is an interesting thing worth mentioning. We also did not go too far and long for fear that it would rain at any moment. But maybe going out like that in this cold, murky weather makes me feel happier when I feel it all.
Life still has meaningful and beautiful things when I consciously observe and contemplate and feel it. Walking often gives things more time and space to feel, especially when the place is strongly local. Thank you.