Monday, August 14, 2006

Great Camp

We are back from a lovely week away in the Adirondacks with my parents, and Val & Tara.

It was a great trip! On the one hand we really got away from it all: no phone, no TV, and no potable water! On the other hand (since my mother is decidedly anti camping) we stayed in an amazing rented chalet with enough bedrooms for all, a very private lakefront with swimming beach and docks, and assorted watercraft (all of which Harrison refused to get into: "NO BOAT!"). Many fresh raspberries were picked and devoured, too many s'mores were eaten around the campfire, and a few too many giant spiders were flicked, smushed, and run away from.

One of the main highlights of the trip were these new tidbits of Vietnamese wisdom that my mom imparted:

1.
"There is a Vietnamese proverb that says 'Grandparents will make for a spoiled child.' " [GREAT.]

2.
Us: Ooh! A shooting star! Pretty!
Mom: Shooting stars mean that someone has died.
later
Us: Ooh! a shooting star! SOMEONE DIED!

3.
Us: Let's go down to the lake after the campfire so we can see the full moon.
Mom: Be careful of the lady in the boat. The lady in white!
Us: Huh? Is this a Vietnamese fairy tale?
Mom: Yes!
Us: Is she a ghost?
Mom: Uh huh.
Us: Is she a good ghost or a bad ghost?
Mom: She comes at the full moon. She sings. And she's lonely so be careful or she'll drag you down into the water. Especially MEN!
Us: Okay. A bad ghost, then.

This--this is the cultural legacy Harrison is inheriting.

Photobucket - Video and Image Hosting

A few more photos are on flickr.

1 comment:

Laura Whitaker said...

Harrison is getting so big! It sounds like your trip was memorable. You are blessed beyond measure.
My love to you and your family.
Laura Whitaker