Another Foggy Day

For most of this week the weather has made it difficult to look for butterflies. Thick fog, like pea soup, covers most of our area for 90% of the days. It rains every day, but usually for a short time, making the forest trails too slippery to travel on. Instead we take trips into local villages or walk to waterfalls.

I have been taking many photos of the dogs of Tam Dao. It is difficult for me to understand which ones are for food and which are pets.

I am not sure if I have seen a house without a dog hanging around the front. Dogs are everywhere--they bark at you, and follow you for a few feet, but none attack or growl.

I do not believe most are treated like what we call a "pet." They seem fed enough, and relatively healthy, but most will not come up to me for petting, even when I call them. There are fewer cats around, and all but "my buddy" in the internet cafe run from me as soon as I look at them. I am sad to say that the Vietnamese do eat cat, too. However, the people of Tam Dao are, for the most part, very poor and thin--I have not seen one overweight person here.

Vietnam is a very safe place. I can pretty much travel anywhere I want without fear of being mugged or bothered in any way. The people here work very hard and take care of one another.

Today's quiz also provides a prize to the first two people who answer all three questions correctly:

1. List the three countries that Vietnam borders. You must spell them correctly.

2. Are butterflies invertebrates or vertebrates? Why?

3. What is the name of the artist in Montana whose studio you will visit on our trip next week? You must spell his name correctly.

Take care! I miss all of you and can't wait to return, but I am having fun here!