"Let me tell you what I think about bicycling. I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. It gives women a feeling of freedom and self-reliance. I stand and rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel.. the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood." ~ Susan B. Anthony

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Chúc Mừng Năm Mới - CLB Xe Dap Quan 7

I think the Vietnamese are the strongest people in the world.  How can a group of people be so strong, so fast on a bike,  yet, they are (I assume) much older then me (and, I AM not young anymore!)... they have a cigarette or two prior to the ride...

and blow me away... like I am standing still! 
(THANKS TO SPEED from XEDAP.ORG, as I took the pictures from that site)

 I got there closer to 11:00am...
 He never took his helmet off....
 cheers!  Moit, Hai, Ba... (cheers?)
 Aaauuhh out comes the singing!
 This lovely man, clearly, and elder of the 'club'.  Out here to celebrate the New Year with everyone. 
 Happy, singing...
 Singing...cheers...good...
 "Can we have a picture with you?"....o...kay....

But, notice the man getting on the bike behind the guy with the white hair.  I just spoke with him.  The man in the plaid shirt helped translate.  This old man was really, very old.  I would say in his 80's.  He had very few teeth left, and HE came up to ME to say hello and ask where I was from.  I look at him and think, what an incredible, beautiful human!  Clearly, he's lived more then enough of the world's pains with Vietnam through so much conflict, hunger, closed to the world, and all the trying times....  If I could only know what he's been through, what was life like....  and here he is... on a bike, at the 'club' wishing his younger brothers a Happy New Year! 

I am humbled!

 Outside, a little quieter (inside/outside, in Vietnam, its covered/uncovered...) we are on the Nguyen Van Linh...

 oops, out comes the DOUBLE BLACK lable.... even I got a shot! 
 This lady was lovely and her English was great!  She came out to talk w/ Claudia and I.
and the time:  about noon!  ha ha ha... I think that's the Vietnamese secret.... play hard, party hard, and to bed early!  No doubt, they'll tear up the road by 5:30am the next day!

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I am so envious with you but really glad that you have enjoyed the party and managed to look absolutely pleasant! The two guys in the second picture from the top (without a helmet) are the two of my best buddies in the "human compassion cycling tour group". I am glad that they made it to the party as well...glad to see so many familiar happy faces! I guess that the guy whom never took his helmet off did it for safety reason! Just in case that he might fall after too many drinks :)

Tina said...

yeah, there was a LOT of drinking! Everyone is so happy and nice! I know if it odd for th me to have me there... a foreign woman on a bicycle, but htey are very kind to me and my husband. My husband didn't make it because he was feeling sick for 2 weeks and he knew you can't say 'no' to the beer.... and it would make him sick.

Let me know when you come to town. I can help with your charity ride... somehow... can not leave my family for the ride (as it is more then 1 day, I assume) but can definitely help with sponsorships....

Anonymous said...

You should not feel like that! You are very familiar and popular among Vietnamese Cycling Community. They all know you and although being separated by the language barrier but believe me they all wish to communicate with you if they could speak the language.

Thank you so much Tina! that's is a very kind thought and encouraging promise and it's lovely to know that we can count on your help. I should be in town at the end of February (I know that I shall miss the New Year but I found that during the new year no one wants to ride with me!). I shall keep in touch and we would be honoured if you can ride one stage with us during the "Human Compassion Cycling Tour 2011", say Vung-Tau to Ho-Chi-Minh City (120km) :)

Tina said...

Long, let me know where on xedap.org the discussion is... I get a little lost sometimes. But, am enjoying the bantering about the helmets!

Anonymous said...

Hi Tina, I have sent you a pm from xedap.org. Most definitely I will have a topic about this Charity Cycling Tour for non-Vietnamese speaking cyclists and keep you in touch as well, so please rest assured that you will not be lost at all :) but honestly we would be honoured to have the first lady riding the tour, although just for one stage. Take care.