I wish you and yours a wonderful and joy-filled Christmas.
On my way to Hanoi, I spent a bit of time cycling on the Ho Chi Minh trail. It was a logistical network of roads and trails that ran from North Vietnam to South Vietnam. The system provided support, in the form of manpower and materiel, to the Viet Cong and the People's Army of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
It got a bit wet and muddy. On the back of my bicycle sits a little duck and keep an eye on things. I got my little friend when I left Transpower (my last workplace), and it has been bringing much joy especially to little children throughout Southeast Asia.
As a special treat, the duck and my bike had a Christmas bath. I took it to a motorcycle shop and for 10,000 VND (NZ$0.65), it got the whole treatment with soap, brush and everything.
The duck is now clean and ready to bring joy to children again. Engaging with children on this trip has been such a highlight. Whether it has been a quick wave and 'hello', as I have passed their homes on my bicycle, at their school during English class or when I've been staying privately with families, children bring joy to our world. I hope for all the children celebrating Christmas, that Santa will bring them just the thing they wish for. And for us adults, I hope we will engage with Christmas like little children and all have a very merry Christmas.