TRAVELLIVE 12-2016
Christmas is coming with the Jingle Bell’s song played at every corner of the capital. In the early morning, I walk to the post office, holding some handmade cards filled with sweet wishes for my loved ones. Christmas is always the best time to spread love and I feel like a young child waiting for it. People wait in long lines at the post office. I join the line, waiting for my turn to send some postcards abroad. In front of me are two cute boys nestling behind their mother. The younger one, about 9 years old, is telling his brother “Santa Claus will give gifts to me because I am nicer than you. You haven’t prepared gifts for dad, not to mention that your letter doesn’t have a stamp on it.” The little boy loses his train of thought, holding his letter higher to see where the stamp is. He keeps it for a while that I see his lovely writing “To my bearded dad”. Perhaps, the stamp has been lost somewhere on the way here or his mother forgot to stick it on his letter. “Hey boy, it’s for you”, I put my hand in my pocket, found a stamp and gave it to the boy. The two boys looked at me and hesitantly took it after their mother nodded to them. They expressed their gratitude and smiled happily, knowing that their letters would be delivered to their beloved dad. Leaving the post office, I still hope that their father could come home to celebrated Christmas with his family. After all, the most valued Christmas gifts are sharing moments with friends and family. Travellive would like to express our gratitude to our partners and readers for being a part of our journeys. We wish you a merry Christmas!
Christmas is coming with the Jingle Bell’s song played at every corner of the capital. In the early morning, I walk to the post office, holding some handmade cards filled with sweet wishes for my loved ones. Christmas is always the best time to spread love and I feel like a young child waiting for it.
People wait in long lines at the post office. I join the line, waiting for my turn to send some postcards abroad. In front of me are two cute boys nestling behind their mother. The younger one, about 9 years old, is telling his brother “Santa Claus will give gifts to me because I am nicer than you. You haven’t prepared gifts for dad, not to mention that your letter doesn’t have a stamp on it.”
The little boy loses his train of thought, holding his letter higher to see where the stamp is. He keeps it for a while that I see his lovely writing “To my bearded dad”. Perhaps, the stamp has been lost somewhere on the way here or his mother forgot to stick it on his letter. “Hey boy, it’s for you”, I put my hand in my pocket, found a stamp and gave it to the boy. The two boys looked at me and hesitantly took it after their mother nodded to them. They expressed their gratitude and smiled happily, knowing that their letters would be delivered to their beloved dad.
Leaving the post office, I still hope that their father could come home to celebrated Christmas with his family. After all, the most valued Christmas gifts are sharing moments with friends and family.
Travellive would like to express our gratitude to our partners and readers for being a part of our journeys. We wish you a merry Christmas!
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Nh˜ng ng≠Íi theo Æπo n´ n¯c Æ∑ Ƶnh, mÈt kŒ v´ th«n nh≠ t´i cÚng kh´ng b·<br />
lÏ c¨ hÈi nµy Æ” sæm mÈt vµi m∂nh gi†y con con, mÈt cuÈn ruy b®ng lÙa mµu<br />
vµ t˘ äp m◊nh l´i bÛt vœ ra kh·i ng®n käo. T´i th≠Íng vi’t, vœ b†t c¯ th¯ g◊ n∂y<br />
ra trong Æ«u vÌi ≠Ìc muËn nh˜ng ng≠Íi nhÀn Æ≠Óc sœ yu m’n mÈt ph«n suy ngh‹ cÒa<br />
t´i Î ngay thÍi Æi”m Æ„. Nh≠ mÈt th¯ th«n giao c∏ch c∂m Æ≠Óc vœ ln bªng mµu.<br />
≥ t≠Îng n∂y ra vµi n®m tr≠Ìc, khi hai c´ bπn ng≠Íi ߯c Î lπi nhµ Æ∑ kh´ng th” t◊m th†y<br />
mÈt t†m thi÷p Gi∏ng sinh ÆÛng ch›nh t∂ nµo Î d‰c phË Hµng Gai vµ quy’t Ænh lµm<br />
cho t´i mÈt t†m thi÷p tı v· hÈp kão. Kho b∏u cÒa hai c´ gÂm vµi chi’c kão cn s„t lπi<br />
trong nh˜ng buÊi du h› tr≠Ìc Æ„, mÈt chi’c b∏nh mua Î cˆa hi÷u tπp h„a Æ«u ng‚ vµ<br />
r†t nhi“u lÍi chÛc bªng c∏c th¯ ti’ng kh∏c nhau mµ c∏c c´ h‰c l·m trong chuy’n hµnh<br />
tr◊nh m≠Íi m†y th∏ng. B∏nh kão chÛng t´i chia nhau ®n h’t trong s∏ng h´m Æ„, c∏i hÈp<br />
th◊ bi’n m†t sau vµi l«n d‰n nhµ. Nh≠ng th„i quen trao ÆÊi thi÷p Æ∑ trÎ thµnh mÈt nghi<br />
l‘ t◊nh bπn kh´ng c«n hãn gi˜a chÛng t´i.<br />
T◊nh c∂m n’u chÿ bœn lœn g„i ghäm th◊ thÀt kh´ng ÆÒ. Ng≠Íi ta lu´n c«n hoa, quµ, ´m,<br />
h´n vµ nh˜ng lÍi ©u y’m. C„ lœ v◊ th’ mµ nh˜ng ngµy l‘ ca ngÓi t◊nh th©n dÔ lµ vay m≠Ón<br />
nh≠ Gi∏ng sinh, cÚng kh´ng bao giÍ lµ thıa ÆËi vÌi ng≠Íi Vi÷t.<br />
WHEN CHRISTIANS get excited about preparing their feasts, I don't miss a chance<br />
to buy a few pieces of paper and a roll of colored silk ribbons, as well as take painting<br />
pens out of my drawer. I usually write and draw anything that comes to mind, wishing<br />
the receiver to share my thoughts at these moments. Feelings are drawn in color and<br />
shared with love.<br />
I came up with the idea for making Christmas cards a few years ago when my German<br />
friends couldn't find any cards sold on Hang Gai Street with correctly spelled words.<br />
They decided to make me a card with a candy box. Their treasures included some<br />
candy from their last trip, a cake from a grocery store, and numerous wishes in<br />
different languages that they have learned during their long trip. We ate the candy<br />
and cakes that morning, and the candy box disappeared after cleaning my house a few<br />
times, but the habit of exchanging cards become a part of our friendship.<br />
Love is not enough if it is hidden. We always need presents, flowers, hugs, kisses, and<br />
sweet texts. Perhaps, it is that reason why festivals which allow us to spread love like<br />
Christmas are abundant.<br />
TEXT: Duong Vu Hoang Anh - PHOTOS: Trang Nguyen, Quang Trung Vu<br />
LOCATION: Nhπc Cafä - 7 Hang Thung - Hoan Kiem - Hanoi<br />
72<br />
<strong>TRAVELLIVE</strong>
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