Cycling to get an ice cream by the river.

The cool weather in December made it very comfortable working in the garden. I wouldn’t get tired so easily and I could work more efficiently. In hot season, working in the garden was a test of patience and stamina for working under hot sunshine. I could happily work nonstop for several hours in the garden these days.

It was very refreshing to be among green trees and peaceful atmosphere of the countryside. I liked to prune branches of flowering trees along the border of the lawn. Some branches of old trees were getting too thick so these also needed to be trimmed. The thinning of branches allowed sunlight to reach all the branches. I had yet to try to shape the small branches into rounded shapes to make these trees looking like big umbrellas.

I had to get some soil which was left behind along the dirt road after the flood three months ago. I was trying to make a new bed for planting some flowering plants along the wall. This was quite exhausting and time consuming. So, I gave myself a nice reward of a treat of ice cream at the local resort by the river.

So, I told my orange cats to look after the house while I cycled to get my ice cream. My cats were used to seeing my bicycle and me rushing off towards the river. In the beginning, they were afraid of my bicycle as they never liked all kinds of vehicles which made loud noises. They were very sensitive to noises of engines and loud noises. They still couldn’t understand what ice cream meant or why I liked to talk about ice cream. I woikd have to let my cats tasting ice cream one day.

The dirt road was very dry and dusty in dry weather. I could gain speed easily though I had to be careful about some potholes. During winter, the river seemed more restful and quiet as if she began to hibernate for a while. The sunset became more colourful and intense yet it became more reserved at a distance. Nature seemed to need some time to be quietly by herself. Nature also needed some space to be quiet and withdrawn into personal reflection.

The atmosphere along the river became strangely lonesome as less locals came out to the riverbank in winter. The sky would become dark very quickly after the sunset so people turned back home before the sunset. This gave me the whole river to enjoy in peace and stillness. Things seemed to change very slowly along the river. I was glad there were no tall buildings along both sides of the river.

The water level had decreased by about five to six meters. This was the result of those dams in China and Laos closing the gates to keep water for their own uses. I hoped that this time those managers at dams in Laos had learned their lesson on proper water management. Last year they hoarded excessive water for their own use that the rainstorm overwhelmed the capacity of the dams so they had to open all the gates, causing sudden floodings downstream. Greed could lead to unexpected havoc and troubles to those peoples upstream and downstream.

I would observe the water level during the dry seasons and take notes. Last year I was struck by the extremely low level of the river. I suspected that something bad might happen in the rainy season. Those Laotian caretakers of the dam weren’t thinking about repercussions in the future. This time I would take notes and photos so that I could write a letter to warn the provincial governor about possible trouble in the near future. Local people were too timid and passive to interact with civil servants.

The local resort had a new owner and some changes have started around the place. There were new plants along the wall and new flowering plants were added to beautify the garden. Luckily the prices of ice cream remained the same. Some staff could recognise me and my bicycle. I was the only customer who would buy only ice cream. This time I changed from my usual chocolate to strawberry cheesecake ice cream.

To my surprise, three tables were already occupied by tourists. So, I chose a quiet area to enjoy my ice cream. The sunset was very beautiful from that stretch of the river. The ambiance of the restaurant was pleasant and calm. The music was soft and gentle. The last time I was there, I complained directly to the staff about the choice of the music and its excessive loudness. They were quite shocked as they liked that kind of loud music a lot. So, I told them they wouldn’t hear this kind of music in five star hotels. That music just didn’t compliment the ambiance of the beautiful river.

I was glad they didn’t kick me out of the restaurant and the music has become more suitable for the gentle river. I had a nice time at the restaurant by the river and took several photos of the sunset. The simple surrounding was like a homage to the sunset and Mother Nature. The down to earth decorations and unpretentious setting were quite nice and comfortable. The strawberry cheesecake ice cream was rather nice too. It’s very different from the double chocolate one. However, the double chocolate would give me mote staying power.

I cycled along the riverfront road to get some exercise and to observe the sunset. Life in the far away countryside seemed so different from that in big city full of crowds and movements. The energetic vibes were also completely far apart. I felt more rooted in reality in the countryside and my mood seemed to be calmer too. The vibes of the surrounding nature did have subtle influences on my body and mind. I would just be very contented with standing by the river watching the sunset or standing in the garden with green colour around me.

The infinite horizon with gentle sunset were always refreshing and new to me, each sunset was unique in my perception. Living in the present became natural and easy whenever I was in the countryside. If big city had more trees and small parks dotted around, people would become much healthier in their minds and bodies. Our link and relationship with nature have become very important for survival in increasingly complex world of relationships and realities.

Wishing you peace, good health and prosperity.

Stay strong and cheerful.