Before being chosen as the national flower of Vietnam, the lotus has been long time considered as not only symbol of simplicity and purity, but also fascination by its closeness to daily life.
Binh Dinh’s lotus season is not well known as ancient capitals of Hue and Hoa Lu’s ones, but lotus seasons in Ba Canh (Dap Da Commune, An Nhon Town) and Thanh Minh (Phung Du I Hamlet, Hoai Hao Commune, Hoai Nhon District) are not less fascinating and bustling.
A new season of lotus has come. Season of lotus brings pleasure to people who living around lotus ponds. They earn their living by picking lotus flowers job.
Bustling season of lotus
It is not hard to harvest lotus plants, thus the elders and children can participate. Many mix-aged people working together in colourful lotus gardens creates a bustling atmosphere which shows a peaceful and charming picture of the Vietnamese countryside.
As season of lotus comes, males usually paddle in shallow water or tour around the lotus ponds on very small boats to pick ripe lotus-seed-pods.
According to lotus pickers, about 20 days after lotus flowers bloom, this is a time to pick lotus-seed-pods. We should pick as early as possible. After 3 days, lotus-seed-pods become too ripen, its seeds will be solid that are very hard to peel.
Many pupils participate to peel lotus-seed-pods to earn money for helping their families.
Elderly people and children under 5th years old are also among a group of people to peel lotus seeds. Peeling lotus seeds is not hard, so they can talk while doing. It helps to bring a jolliness for childhood and a leisureliness for old age.
Lotus effect
Lotus is not only used for looking. Its seeds soaked in sugar syrup or heart lotus tea can help you sleep better, reducing internal heat and blood pressure. Almost all parts of the lotus plant are useful food and medicine.
Lotus stem that grows submerged in the mud of tropical ponds can be used to make famous salads, helping to stop the bleeding and tonic. Lotus root is used in many dishes such as pork bones with lotus root soup, lotus root kimchi, lotus root fry meat… Specially, lotus leaves can be used not only for wrapping grilled rice snack and steamed glutinous rice but also for medicine.
The lotus flower grows in dirty muddy waters and unfolds on the surface of the water, but it possesses a beauty being quite exceptional.
Only a slender stem, but almost all parts of lotus plant prove their worth.
Growing the lotus plant not only helps pay part of a spending bill but also preserves the soul of countryside. Its beauty brings peaceful feeling.
Following in people’s footsteps
On the occasion of returning home, if taking a stroll peacefully around lotus ponds in the season, everybody certainly feels dazed with chamrming beauty of the countryside.
After a number of days' leave in Hoai Hao Commune, Duong Hai Au and her friends turn back Ho Chi Minh City with strings of lotus seeds. “My countryside’s lotus is fresh and sweet-smelling. It can be given as a present to my friends or to be soaked in sugar syrup – a delicious food for summer”, she said.
The lotus seeds are sold everywhere. However, it often has a special significance if we bring them to “home” from the countryside. Binh Dinh’s people who settle far from home always keep something as taste of their native place that for not only introducing to friends but also reminding themselves of a love…
Some pictures of Binh Dinh’s lotus season:
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In a pond, nothing rivals a lotus’ beauty…. |
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The happiness on the face of lotus pickers. |
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After being brought back home, the lotus-seed-pods were usually peeled by children. Each can peel from 20-30 kilograms lotus seeds per day. |
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Peeling lotus seeds' skin and removing the hearts of the seeds is required for experience and meticulosity. |
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Bringing lotus flowers to the school to present to teachers. |
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