We arrived in Hanoi a day before the rest of our group, and we set out to do some exploration. One of our friends wanted to shop (she is a professional shopper, we decided) and knew of a street that offered silk. While she shopped, I and another friend (In Ja) surveyed the business being carried on on the sidewalk.
Many women carry their business, literally, on their shoulders, as In Ja is demonstrating in this picture, with the vendor standing by.
I did not realize how heavy the pole is until I tried to stand holding it for more than just a minute or two (My professional shopper friend, Joanne, is standing to my left, watching in amazement.)
This woman was selling bananas and pineapple, which we bought (but we didn’t eat the pineapple – it had already been peeled, and the rule is not to eat something you haven’t peeled yourself).
The “carrying pole” is made of bamboo, and two trays hang from it. The wires supporting the trays are stiff, so when a buyer signals that something on one of the trays looks good, the vendor sets down the entire outfit, and is ready to deal.
This vendor was selling roasted potatoes and taro root, and she peeled the potato for the buyer, before handing it over to be consumed on the spot.
This woman did a brisk business for several minutes. Then, when no more customers came along, she stood up, shouldered the carrying pole, and set off in search of the next buyer.
Posted from Luang Prabang, Laos 1/31/18
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