Life around Chateau Mango





Weekends are full of promise. The promise of things to do...whether it be relaxing, exploring or catching up on loose ends. As the sun sets over Saigon this Sunday afternoon...I do not have the usual angst...that feeling that time sped by and I did not get it all done. I made a promise, a weekend promise, to take it as it comes, to look more closely at the world around me and to hang up the worries. I find when I do, that life becomes a bit clearer and my organisationally challenged mind is ready to focus by the end of the weekend.

I took Mr. H on a long walk Saturday morning, to show him what I see from day to day. As we turned the corner from one street to the next, we both commented how much our world has changed since this time last year. He was already living in Saigon and I was still holding down the fort back in England. With that thought we both remarked how fortunate we are to have this experience in Vietnam, it is more than we could have imagined and even with it's challenges, it is one that we will long cherish.

Along our walk... 
Click on 'Read more' below...





Street life with a little less
 frantic pace than in the heart of the city.











Walking on the sidewalks is a challenge, there
are obstacles at every turn. I would say this is one of the
more beautiful ones.



I  am always humbled by the hard working nature of
Vietnamese women. If there is a way, they will find it.



Because...I just loved them...in all their feathers.



Across the street...words of love. 
Magic.




Following the road home to Chateau Mango...



Where you can find me... hat and fan in hand...




admiring our lotus flowers in bloom.






On that note, I will say good weekend and leave you with a few parting reads, to hopefully
inspire you in the days to come...

Jacqueline @ Beauty in the Ordinary passed along two more books for The Brown Paper Book Club reading list. Jacqueline wrapped Friendship Bread by Darien Gee  and South of Superior by Ellen Airgood in brown paper packaging and sent them on their way to her sister, Victoria. The full reading list is here...and for those of you how are wondering about The Brown Paper Book Club, you can read about it here.

From Marisa Silver..who found her writing voice in California.

From Melissa @ Reverie Daydream... a painted sky in San Francisco. 


From a painted sky to kissing the sky...by Loree @ Stories and Scribbles in Malta.

From the ever thoughtful Louise @ Lou, Boos and Shoes.... The curious life of friendship..

Lastly...

From Linda @ Lulu's Musings of The Travelling Sisterhood and our meeting in Saigon. She is as delightful as I imagined...a spirited traveller!



via

Best wishes to one and all for a wonderful week..the last week of March! 

Jeanne xx

PS..
How was your weekend?
Any interesting book recommendations
for The Brown Paper Book Club?
:)

Comments

  1. Wonderful post Jeanne. Your photography and vivid descriptions are such a pleasure to read and have made my Sunday morning a perfect one.

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  2. Thank you for the mention Jeanne. I appreciate that a lot :) I loved this glimpse of your weekend. Mine was rather lazy but I have set myself a challenge - which I will keep secret for the time being. But I have decided to stop using the Auto setting on my camera and start experimenting with Manual. I need to stop being scared of something so trivial. After all, it's just a digital photo and if it's really terrible, I can always delete it.

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    1. I love challenges Loree...looking forward to the big 'reveal'. :) Like you, I moved from Auto to Manual...it has been frustrating but a great feeling when things start to click. It is remembering it all that is the challenge. I downloaded a few easy manuals onto my Kindle and watch a few You Tube videos when in need. For our weekend walk, I used my iPhone and transferred them to Instagram. I find it a great way to record life on the street. Easy too! xx

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  3. Just the kind of weekend that I was yearning for too - one of quiet things, no rush, just time to let things roll slowly. I feel much more relaxed for having being lucky enough to achieve it too! I wonder how old that plant is in that beautiful pot - from the twisted trunk it looks like it may have a tale or 2 to tell of what it has seen in its life in the street. Have recently finished reading "The Moment" and now am hunting for another gripping book to take its place. x

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    1. GD..agree, that pot is a stunner. I would love to know how old it is. Based on the size I do not think they need to worry about anyone running off with it. :) Many thanks for the tip on 'The Moment'...I will check it out.

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  4. I love the way you live where you are and take in the whole experience. Sometimes, I still can't believe you live in Saigon. :)

    Fondly,
    Glenda

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    1. Me too Glenda...especially when I look back at life in England. xx

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  5. Thanks for taking us along on your walk with Mr. H. Lovely way to spend the time. I spent my time singing this weekend. Three church services and rehearsals for Palm Sunday. Singing is a another wonderful way to spend time!

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    1. Oh how I wish I could Becky! I so admire you for that, what a wonderful way to spend the weekend. xx

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  6. Your pictures are always wonderful. I often feel like I am walking next to you listening. I recently read, "In the Shadow of the Banyan". So many times I thought of you while reading. I will be writing briefly about it soon....hopefully. Have a wonderful weekend and thanks for giving us a look at this beautiful country. Bonnie

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    1. Thank you Bonnie...that is lovely to hear. I am now very curious about 'In the Shadow of the Banyan'....so intriguing.. xx

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  7. Love living vicariously through you and your walk! That photo of the woman on the bike is gorgeous....and she is smiling amidst that heavy load. Off now to learn about the brown paper book club! Amanda x

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    1. Thanks Amanda...I am due to update The Brown Paper Book Club...I think it needs to come to life. It has been a bit sleepy as of late.. xx

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  8. So much happiness to find here, as always. : ) And I loved reading the book club list! Such good things to discover and a reminder that I have been wanting to read about the Murphy's and their time on the Cote d'Azur.

    It rained all weekend here, so I read! Joyful luxury. Right now I am in the midst of "North and South" by Eilzabeth Gaskell and am really interested by the tension and the relevance to today's society!

    Gros bisous from a sunny Provence,
    Heather

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    1. Heather...when you finish with the book, watch the movie. I loved it...especially the lead actor, Richard Armitage.. :)

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  9. Thanks for the shout out Jeanne! I love participating in The Brown Paper Book Club. There is something so romantic about sending the (slightly-dogeared) books off wrapped in brown paper. I did try sending them tied with string, but the post office poo-poo-ed it and made me take it off! LOL! No worries! Books now received by sister Victoria, waiting to be read and duly forwarded. Thanks for being the custodian of this wonderful tradition.

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    1. I agree Jacqueline..I had the same thought each time a new one arrived in my mailbox when we lived in New Zealand..so glad you are carrying on. I will expand the idea soon...it needs it! :)

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  10. Thanks for sharing this, Jeanne - I felt as though I joined you on your walk!

    The Brown Paper Book Club sounds like so much fun! I love Darien Gee's books - they are just the right well written, but light.

    Enjoy your day! xoxox

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    1. So glad Sandy...it would be fun to have you along! :)

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  11. The Feathered friends are wonderful!Do you know I have glittered Golden goose eggs at the Hen House right now!I should send you one........send me your address!HAPPY EASTER TO YOU and MISTER H.Did you ever tell him I LOVE the MANGO color of your house?!!
    XXX

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    1. I did Contessa and he was happy someone else has the same great taste that he does! I would love to send my address but alas the post office here opens everything, including wrapped gifts. Such hassle to get them it is best to admire from afar... I will have a peek, they sound wonderful! :)

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  12. Your post is Magic. Thank you. A million reminders of what Life is all about without actually saying so. Brilliant.
    Have a wonderful day.

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  13. I could just read it today, you know I have been overseas but I have to reply to this post and agree. Despite all challenges and also bad experiences I had in my expatriate country I won't miss these 4 years..and try to hold on your weekend promise it helps to
    survive lonely moments and more.LOL Rena

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Can I just say....that I so enjoy what YOU have to say. If you would like to write to me directly, I would love to hear from you... jeannecollageoflife@gmail.com

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