It is Christmas....

"...So the Word became human and made his home among us.  He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness.  And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father's one and only son."  (John 1: 14)



The people of Dalat are fervent growers, thanks to a cool climate that lends itself to an array of vegetables, fruit and flowers reminiscent of those grown on our home soil.  Unable to flourish anywhere else in Vietnam, they are particularly known for their strawberries and hydrangeas, the latter of which has been a lovely reminder of our beautiful wedding day three months ago.  The hilly countryside is bright and beautiful with the squares of crop fields, each one a little haven of growth making up a mountain side.

The town has a quirky pastel palette, and one might be forgiven for thinking they'd woken up in toy town.  Houses are baby blue, pink, yellow, turquoise - a kitschy paintbox of a place.  It was my passion for vegetable gardens that drew us here, and as a Christmas present to ourselves we chose a considerably nicer hotel as our home for the next few days.  Particularly tempted, were we, by promises of a grand buffet breakfast (including peanut butter!) and hot tub.

The past few days have been both of rest and exploration, once again renting a motorcycle as we seek to discover the incredible countryside around us.  Because of its cooler temperatures, the landscapes of the Central Highlands have a flavour of somewhere almost Alpine, and it's easy to forget in what part of the world we are.  The familiar smell of pine trees combines with that of coffee beans, and the views are beyond breathtaking - yet so different to any other we have encountered in Vietnam.

Our first day took us along the winding roads to Nam Bam, a village 30km from Dalat.  Our destination was a silk weaving factory, although really it was the journey that made the day such a memorable one.  At a roadside cafe, a seemingly friendly woman tried to take advantage of our "white tourist" status by demanding 50,000 vnd (equivilent to almost 2 pounds) for a can of not particularly nice juice, which was, not only higher than UK prices, but, to put into perspective, one and a half times the amount we'd paid for a meal (including drinks) the day before.  As the can was already drunk, it was difficult to contest, but after some arguing she agreed to 25,000, and so we paid and left, feeling considerably more downhearted as a result of this blatant display of dishonesty.  The drive back did little to lift our spirits.  Stunning though it was, the once beautiful day transformed into a torrential rain storm for which we were totally unprepared apart from my little raincoat that transpired to be waterproof in no way whatsoever.  When we finally made it back to the hotel, not one item of our once warm clothing or footwear remained dry.  That evening, unable to face wearing just my flip-flops, I sheepishly donned the socks and sandals, cold and still grumpy at the can lady.

The following day the sun shone again, so we headed out on our bike once more.  Off to Lang Bien mountain, we had a glorious (sweaty) hike in the blissfully hot sun.  I got sunburned.  Stopping for a rest on the way up, some local students asked us to join them for some snacks and, what turned out to be, very good company. We hiked the remainder of the mountain together, and they reminded us that there are still good people in the world.  A beautiful detour route back to Dalat took our breath away on more than one occasion.  So clearly can we see the glory of God through the marvel that is this world, His magnificent creation.  Home safe we parted with our trusty steed and headed for the hot tub - the perfect way to unwind at the end of a long and tiring, but satisfying, day.  Back at our hotel, the staff had left us a present of Christmas cake.  Our faith in humanity has been restored!

So today it is Christmas, our first of many as husband and wife.  We enjoyed yet another exceptional breakfast of fresh baguettes, bacon, eggs, fresh fruit, peanut butter and coffee.   That morning we relaxed in our room and listened to a Christmas podcast from Holy Trinity Brompton, to get our minds focused on the real reason for the season.  The day has largely been spent sampling numerous Vietnamese coffees in the cafes around town, and, with much excitement, we found that our hotel TV, amongst all the Asian channels, was showing "Honey, I Blew Up The Kid", so we've even had our Christmas movie!

Our chosen "Christmas dinner" destination was as Western as one might find in Dalat, a little blues cafe with great live music - though my pork and mashed potato wasn't a patch on the feast that would be currently manifesting in one particular Glasgow home, the one that, on this day even more than most, is so very close to my heart.  On the way there, Phil called his family using Skype, the wonder of modern technology that allows you to both hear and see each other no matter where in the world you find yourself to be.

On the way home it was my turn, and, after a particularly emotional chat with Mum, I was able to see and speak to all eighteen of the family guests who'd landed at the Craibs for Christmas 2010.  So aware, were they, of a "Katie-shaped-hole", and, even more, I felt the void around me as I sat in that internet cafe surrounded by Vietnamese gamers, feeling that I should be in my cozy home in Scotland, surrounded, instead, by my wonderful family.  But here I am with my new husband, and that is enough (more than enough).  We have been on the road now for almost a month, and every day is an adventure.  My appreciation for those family and friends we've left behind grows daily, and on like days like these even more so.  But hard though it can be, I know that it will only sweeten the joy of seeing them again when this journey is over.


(ps - Thanks for reading!  If you have been trying to leave comments and found yourself unable, we apologise.  The settings have now (hopefully) been changed, so please comment away.  We'd love to hear from you to know who is following us on this adventure.  Merry Christmas!)