Christmas 2005

Here it comes, the Christmas of 2005. By this time, there is nearly noone left on campus. Most of them go come for the holiday, some others go to different places to enjoy the break. As for me, I take my vacation in my own apartment.
Christmas day, Knoxville rains dogs and cats, giving me the hope that a white christmas might happen this year. That'd be something to chear up the lonely soul. I wait, and I wait, and I wait... but snows never comes. I stay by my window, lazily talk to a friend online, while occasionally staring outside to look for a miracle. Images of the last December flashback in my mind...
Last year, I went home for Chrismas. People in Vietnam don't celebrate this occasion as Westerners do. Throughout the entire December, there is harly any mention of Christmas. And on Christmas Eve, people don't stay home with family; it is indeed a perfect chance for youngsters, such as myself, to go out, enjoy the cold night with other thousands people. Last year, the street was packed with all kind of vehicles, from motocycles (mostly), to bicycles, cars, even pedestrians. The three most crowded places must be Hoan Kiem Lake, West Lake and of course, the Great Church of Hanoi.
My night started at the Great Church, where I met up with Dat, my eleven-year closest friend. Joining us there were someothers. We ride motocycles at first, just so we could get around quicker. However, it wasnot a good idea given how crowder the streets was. We got off and started walking... Thousands of people were there, waiting to hear the pleasant sounds of the bell on top the Great Church. Religious people prayed, non-religious people took the chance to take pictures, to talk to friends, or simply to enjoy the night out...
Midnight, most of us had to go home due to parents' curfew. The rest of us walked toward the Hoan Kiem Lake. The street got a bit empty since it was cold...
The lake was beautiful like always. Peaceful and calm in the middle of a modern city. Even in the dark, its distinct green color could still be recognized. The lake never change its color, as the people never change their love for it. Ngoc Son temple was closed, the The Huc bridge was decorated with light along its sides. The bridge lighted up beautifully, while the two ends lost in darkness. The image was as if there were an invisble string to hang the red, curly bridge in the air. Its reflection in the water oscillated slowly according to the waves... For a minute there, as I lost myself in the view, the whole city was tottaly quiet, deep in its sleep. Its natural beauty then showed, giving me the feeling of warmness in late December. Next to me, there was my best friend...
Life must go on, but memory will stay forever. Although, this Chrismas, and many to come, I will have to be by myself, I know I will never be alone. Because in my heart, there is always Ha Noi, with my family, my best friend, and all that I love...
-nxh