From the top of Khau Pha Pass, follow the winding ends of the crab from above to the deep valley, we will fall into a beautiful valley.
Here, there is only the unceasing sound of the stream flowing down the steep pass, weaving through the treacherous rocks, arranged naturally according to the preferences of the flood of the stream last year, then flowing down to the Lam Mong fields below, the main sound of this place.
That stream is located in front of the village of It Thai, winding, surrounding the entire small thing of the Thai people in their hearts. The entrance to the village, a small, pretty bridge spans across the stream. Running a ton can to pick up customers will be a dog with a furry mouth but is extremely gentle and hospitable.
It Thai village is not too crowded, the main population is the Thai ethnic group, including both White Thai and Black Thai. People in It Thai village have lived on terraced fields and forests for many generations. The terraced fields in It Thai village are not as high as the clouds like the steps leading to the sky as in Che Cu Nha, Hang Te Cho or La Pan Tan.
The terraced fields here are as low as the eye, and as small as the semi- literary bracelets on the fingers of Thai girls. Sitting on the floor in the wind of the stilt house, looking straight out into the fields, inhaling the nasal congestion, the scent of rice and mud immediately flew in the nasal passages.
This month, the fields have just turned green, but in just 3 months, the space will be fragrant with the smell of ripe rice. While waiting for the rice to ripen, people go to the forest to take care of the sedge. The mounds of the people of It Thai village are hidden under the primeval forest canopy.
The forest is a rich source of life for the people here. But the forest is also limited, such as terraced fields that can only exploit 2 crops per year, as well as stream fish becoming increasingly rare. It is impossible to exploit forests and natural resources forever.
Therefore, It Thai village has shifted to community tourism. Fortunately, the people of It Thai village chose to do local tourism, preserve the identity of the Thai people, the ethnic community, and put tourists in their local environment. No hotel or motel, all rely on available values.
These are the stilt houses that the Thai people are already living in, only being renovated to make them more spacious and sturdy. People are still confused about welcoming others to eat and drink at their homes. I have to talk, I have to explain what each dish is cooked with, we have to go to the kitchen together to satisfy curiosity... it's so awkward and awkward.
But I am also happy because my family kitchen has long been alone, now there are some sisters and aunts who come all over to cook with me, share their cooking experience, as well as the problems in life are very good. The world of Thai women suddenly became vast, surpassing that God's horn and spreading everywhere.
It turns out that the identity of the Thai people is very valuable, silver necklaces, towels, colorful dresses and typical Thai dishes such as fried pain bo, curly whale, pork belly, curly edge... are all things that bring attraction and economic benefits.
The Thai people in the village also know that they must preserve their identity at all costs. Stream fish is still grilled on the charcoal stove, sticky rice is still in the clouds, don't cook in an electric rice cooker, don't take bottled chili sauce instead of mixed ham. You have to know how to keep your own unique points, why follow other people's tracks?
There is still much work to be done and maintained every day to make It Thai village become a beautiful ban flower with its simple beauty. The villagers must be the owners to protect and maintain their own living environment, and then turn it into a sustainable livelihood.
waking up in the village of It Thai is as peaceful as in another world. Hanoi and other cities, even Yen Bai city, are heating up more than 40 degrees Celsius in the effect of concreting and air conditioning, but this place is still healthyly cool with mountain winds and the moisture of streams, clouds, and fog.
When it was still dark, the wild bird was hoarfrogged somewhere out there. A kind of light, the illusion of dawn gradually encroaches on every moment of darkness. Lossfully lying on the floor, watching each green patch of the field gradually appear, then clearly seeing the rice tree at the top of the steep slope, then seeing white clouds falling down from the deep valley, staring at the stream, then seeing the warm sunlight flying in the stir-fried rice.
So the navel lull was completely stopped, jumping down the cool road through the village to climb the high hills surrounded by lush green trees and windy cages. Just sit there and enjoy the fresh air, the pure new wind, capture the view of the entire beautiful Lam Mong field like awater painting, the whole village of It Thai with the sign of a suspension bridge, then look up to the dark green deserts lying in a luxurious position under the deep blue sky of July.
Then, they dived into the primeval forest, walked on shady trails, trampled through forest streams with stream fish grilled crispy in their mouths, then picked forest mushrooms and foreign forest canopy to cook a bowl of forest soup with fragrant steamed Chinese cabbage and herbs.
After the delighted vegetation that the homeowner warmly welcomed, there is no such thing as lying on the floor waiting for the wind to fan. In the dream of lim dim, I always hope that my dream days will end forever in the village of It Thai at the foot of Khau Pha Pass. Just like that, don't change, let people still find peace in this small village...
