His name is Graham. Graham seems to be a very cautious person. He sent me all the information we needed in details, like locations, time… including photos and screen shots from Google.  Graham even called me in advance to make sure all the photos he saw on my website www.hakinkin.com were really mine.  I told him: “Absolutely”!

Proposing must be really exciting and nervous. Even a careful person like Graham made some mistakes on location and time when emailing me; he said he must be too nervous. That sounded more interesting to me though.  I only saw the surprise proposals on TV and in movies. Never saw them in real life!

Finally Graham figured out a good date to do the proposal. It was chilly and windy day in Central Park and he was in the suit shivering waiting for her to arrive. I and my brother had to be there 45 mins earlier to make sure everything and…he will be OK.  We were so excited for the outcome.

It was supposed that she would arrive around 5h30 but due to that traffic time, she could not be on time. Graham said he hired a Limousine to take her here from work. And to make sure she would not be suspicious about what he was doing, he called her and made her mad on the phone. Ah, that’s pretty cute!

We had to wait nearly one hour in the cold. I caught the cold but Graham should be more freezing, because he only had the suit on, not to include the excitement would make you ten times colder. There’s a big tree there so me and my brother would “hide” in case she approaches near him later. We definitely did not want her to see what was coming.

Finally she arrived; the sun was already gone so the exposure was a bit off.  We moved behind the tree so she wouldn’t notice. She had a rose in her hand. I wonder if she really knew anything.

So here we go, the story would go by stop motions actually. I wanted to make sure that I caught everything. I promised Graham that he was in very good hands! These are just highlights!

Preparing for the important moments:

OOh, he’s really freezing.

Graham’s grandmother’s ring which will be used to propose. That was a surprise proposal, so of course this should be a surprise ring.

Let’s tell the story in STOP MOTION

I love the way she’s looking at him, such a look of loving and filling with happiness.

The entry is written by Thanh An – who is a blog reader, a kind-hearted Vietnamese, a lovely woman and a rocker (you know I always love rockers, haha)!

It is long – but it is worth reading!

It is not so bold to say that I have got many chances to experience several unbelievable and unforgettable trips, yet the trip to Van Village on the Labor Day of 1st May is so far the most meaningful one. I’ve known a girl, not actually “know” in the way that I know her and she knows me as it is only a “one-way sort of knowing” (though it’s changing now, thanks to the trip). If I could only pick one word to describe this girl, it would be “awesome”. Yes, she is awesome, and awesome in so many ways: her “odd” appearance, her endless energy, her valuable life experience, and most of all, the way she inspires others, and me. She’s got a weblog (www.hakinkin.info) and that’s my most favorite Internet website in the world. I visit her blog almost every day, sometimes 2 or 3 times per day, and I’ve never ever missed a single entry in that blog. Some days ago, I saw a new entry about her trip to Van Village, Da Nang. Van Village, or more commonly known as “village of the leprous”, is located along the beach between Da Nang and Hue. It used to be home for people suffering from leprosy (a tropical disease mainly affecting the skin and nerves that can cause tissue change and, in severe cases, loss of sensation and disfigurement). In the past, people were frightened by this disease as there was no medicine or cure for it. And people with leprosy suffered not only from the disease itself, but also from the public fear that they would spread the disease easily. As a matter of fact, these people were gathered and sent away, far from crowded resident areas. Or more exactly, they were “exiled” to a remote place, Van Village, totally separated from other “civilized” and healthy people. That’s how Van Village was formed. Now, the village has expanded and housed many other healthy people as well, some of them are children and grandchildren of the leprous generation, some come seeking for new life, some just simply fall in love with the beauty there. I still remember when I was in secondary school, my dad took me to Van Village on a retreat trip of his company. I came there by boat, and I was immediately amazed by the natural beauty of this place. The greenness of the mountain and the blueness of the sea painted a wonderful picture in front of my eyes. At that time, I thought of nothing else except that this village was an incredible “tourist attraction” (we came there as pure tourists). I did think about coming back, but as time went by, that thought has been drowned by so many other trivial, daily worries.

Just as I was feeling so bored and fed up with all the endless and “weekendless” working time, I came across her entry about Van Village. The instant moment I saw the title, I knew for sure where I would be this coming holiday. In that entry, she wrote about her journey to Van Village, her feelings towards the people living there, her love for that place, and most importantly her request for someone to help her bring the photos to the elder patients. The sooner these patients get their photos, the better as they are rather old and weak, no one can tell how long they could wait to see their own surprising photos. Without a second of hesitating, I told her I would go. But as I was rather “new” and strange to her, I feared that she might not trust me enough for such a task. So I took a “decoy” (ok, decoy sounds rather bad, but I had to win her trust, right?) that was my best friend’s sister whom she knew already, saying that I and that little girl (named Chi) would go to Van Village for her mission. And that was a pretty good beginning. We spared one day for all the preparation and searching for more company (especially men to carry all the heavy stuffs). We were able to “flirt” 2 more men, one is my student and the other is Chi’s friend. Nice enough. Finally, the G-time came, and off we went!

To my most honest confession, I had no idea how to get to Van Village on foot, and as I was the one who started the whole thing, other 3 trusted me completely for my guiding. Oh oh, such a heavy burden, isn’t it (not counting the heavy backpack yet). Kin said on her blog that she parked her bike (somewhere) on the Hai Van Pass and (somehow) climbed down (somewhat) a trail to the village. Not a very clear instruction, obviously. So I did google the direction a little bit the night before. All I know is that we have to go up to the peak of Hai Van Pass, there must be a trail there (somewhere, hmm) and we should just follow the trail. Easy enough, then. Starting fresh and early in the morning, we went up to the pass, higher and higher, leaving the city behind, reaching to the blue sky and white cloud. Our spirits felt just as peaceful on the road winding along the mountain as the calm sea winding below. When we came to the peak, I thought it would be better if I asked for direction. So I did, and one man showed me the red-earth trail down the village. There it came our first luck of the trip. Another man standing nearby overheard the story and told us that trail was no good at all as it’s very difficult to find the way through the dense trees. And that no one seemed to use that trail for ages. OK, that started to sound bad. Is there another way to get there? I asked them. They told me (after some arguments and disagreements, phew) that we got to go back, down to the Doi bridge near the foot of the pass. There we would find a badly damaged house (hit by a big storm and has not been repaired yet) on the edge of the road. They would watch our bikes and show us the right way. Alright, thanks! And let’s go down babies.

We found that poor house (the only untouched part is the gate) and it’s time for our second luck in the day. When we were parking our bikes and asking for direction, one man asked me why we came to Van Village, and if we came for camping like others did down there. I explained to him the little mission of ours, he seemed very happy to hear so and offered to take us there (he’s going to the village as well). The trail is very bumpy and sloping. But to our amazement, that man (named Hiep) walked like he was walking along Bach Dang street, and I didn’t mention he was carrying a carton of instant noodle in one hand, and a big (seem heavy too) bag in the other. He kept talking all the way, telling us about the village life, the patients, the visits of many charity groups, and how to help these people properly and equally. I had a hard time keeping up with his pace, listening dearly to him, and answering his questions or making some comments at the right time. He made the bumpy journey down the trail so short and interesting. I was so sure that without him, we would be lost in the woods, or wandering somewhere along the railroad, maybe even hit by the train, who knows! He took us right to the house of the Head of Village (named Duc) and told us if we needed anything, just asked Mr. Duc. We told him our purpose and showed him a photo (ooh, such a big and beautiful photo, he said in surprise) to further illustrate what we’re going to do. Mr. Duc told us just go down to the village, we would find the right persons there (another note, we didn’t even know the name of the persons in these photos). We went along the sandy road, both sides are filled with wild flowers and wooden fences. Since we still hadn’t gather breath after half walking, half jogging behind Mr. Hiep, we rested under the shade of the pine trees. The scene laid before our eyes seems to be taken from some poems or paintings. A boat anchored in an inlet, a cow resting under the tree, and a range of green mountains completes the background. I thought I could sit there until someone had to drag me home before it’s too late. Yet, we got a mission ahead (so maybe another time for sitting there ^^).

When we came to the village entrance, lots of villagers gathered around and asked us lots of questions. We did ask them many questions too. We showed them the photos. Each came out with a small surprising cry from the enthusiastic crowd. “Hey, it’s Mr. Hao. Woo, he looks soo handsome”. “Ah, it’s Ms. Than, she lives down that road”. “Wow, Ms. Chep looks great.” “Oh, Mr. Mot is no longer there he was so ill that his children had to take him home”. “Oh, look at that, that’s the weird plant on the jackfruit tree. It looks amazing on photo, huh.” So enthusiastic and happy they were that they offered to take us to these people. It took us a while to remind the elders of the photographer and the photos. When they saw themselves in the photos, they couldn’t hold back their happiness. Ms. Chep still got that care-free toothless smile, exactly the same on her photo when she held it up for me to capture the wonderful moment.

Ms. Than was a little bit shyer. But when I told her she looked so beautiful that she got 3 photos, she couldn’t help but smiling.

It was a great pity that we couldn’t meet Mr. Mot, so we left his photos there, asking the kind-hearted cook to give them to his son. We all hope and pray that he will be able to see how handsome he is in his photos (before it’s too late). I tried to persuade the kids who took us there to let me take a photo of them. I even promised I would print that photo out, big and framed, and send them. But they were too shy to accept, and they just ran away, their laughs echoed down the road. We stayed and talked with the old ladies for a while. We could see the happiness clearly showed on their face when they talked with us. I thought this is the first time they ever had something like this, a very nice photo of their own to hang on the wall (and to show off with others as well ^^). They might have received lots of charity gifts, from food, to clothes and money, but I bet they never thought of such a gift like this And these are not charity gifts, these are love gifts Love which comes naturally and unconditionally from Kin, and from us.

When their lunchtime came, our stomachs cried for food too. So we told them we’re gonna go out to the sea for a while, and we would come back later. We walked along the beautifully blue beach and stopped by the rocks. I’ve got a feeling that, here, in this place, there is no clear border between the mountain and the sea. I had the nicest lunch ever in my life. I sat there, enjoying the scenery, but looking is never enough for me. I want to try. I want to swim, I want to dive deep in that blue water, I want to touch that boat anchoring there. What to do now? The only hindrance was that I was wearing a white T-shirt (you know, white would make the T-shirt become “transparent” if it is wet, argh). But the strong desire for swimming overpowered the embarrassment of a wet, “transparent” T-shirt. And that was the wisest decision of the day.

When we came back to the village to say goodbye with the two women, some kids ran towards us, asking for taking photos. Oh, wow, OK, I’ll do it. They hastily groomed themselves, tightening the buttons, and finding a nice spot to “pose”. While we said goodbye and went up to the pine wood, they called after us, saying they wanted more photos. Haha, it seemed they also wanted to see their own big and framed photos. So I came back, running barefoot on the hot sand. But this time, they wanted to take photos with “that sister” oh well, boys, they couldn’t keep their eyes of little Chi, huh.

On the way back, we dropped by the house of Mr. Duc to give him the photos of his children. He and his wife were so kind and keen on making us stay. She made us a big bowl of thinly sliced mango mixed with fish sauce and chili. Oh, even writing about it makes me “drooling” all over the laptop. Now I know clearly what “mouthwatering” means. The mango was extremely hot, I bet even a Thais would admit that it’s hot. 4 of us attacked the bowl in silence, sometimes broken by our inhales and exhales (tooooooo hottttttt). One after another, they failed the battle, only I remained steady and unchanged on the bowl of mango >:) (evil smile, hahaha). I also discovered something very interesting about eating tooo hot. OK, listen, if you eat a lot of chili, or a lot of hot food (especially for quite some time without stop to rest), you’ll be dizzy. Yes, dizzy, as in really dizzy, like being badly drunk =)) That happened to all of us. So, this could be considered our “discovery”, and I believe it should be broadcast on the Discovery Channel.

The effect of mango followed us all the way up. Without anyone talking this time, I got to rely on my cellphone’s music to keep us alert and energetic. I had another discovery as well: it is much easier to climb a sloping trail with a stick. That’s it. Great advice for trek lovers and hikers, then (though I doubt they’ve known that all). Up is always harder than down (oops, does this statement has a hidden meaning, hahahaha). We got to rest several times. But looking at the trail we’d just finished, we felt rather proud of ourselves.

I left the village with a promise of coming back and sure I’ll come back (with photos for the kids also). I did do a lot of labor on the Labor’s Day, and it was AMAZING.

Thanh An

While other people could travel the world and experience life with their wealth or beauty, I could do the same thing with just my blog – since I have no money and no beauty!

And not to mention traveling, earning some little money, experiencing people and making friends with interesting people…There’s one thing that makes it the most wonderful thing: Calling for helps. Helps for yourself, and helps for other people!

Usually I’d like to do things in my own ways. Even if that is to show my love to people /things or to help them … and some understands me quite well!

Along my journeys, there will be places I want to go back and people I want to meet again. And among these, some needs help that I would like to do something so much, even what I do would be very little. But in some moments, my helps bring joys to them, to me, and to those who would like to join me.

Mostly, photos are my gifts to people. I love to take and give photos to those I love, and to those I want to love.  There are people who would live till the day they die without having any photos taken.  Like the people in the story below here. This hurts me. So took photos for them, I wrote blog, I called for help.  And I will do the same thing in the future.  And in the future, I will have more than just photos to give. I will have more, I don’t know what they are at the moment. But there will be!

Somedays ago, I wrote a Vietnamese blog, calling for people to help me bringing photos as gifts to a village called Hoa Van, located in Da Nang city. A place for people who are affected with leprosy disease. The village is almost isolated with outside world and the transportation is rough. But it is…simply beautiful. I came here during my trip to my homeland two months ago. I took photos for people here and I promised: I will bring the photos back. And I must keep it! Not only I will give them the portraits, but the photos of beauty there. I know there are people will stick here forever, they can not climb up or are healthy enough to see how beautiful their place is!

On the way there:

The village looks from above:

My beautiful noon:

My most emotional lunch they cooked for me. In order to have such a noodle soup bag. Perhaps they must climb up the hill, walk hours and take motor bikes 30km to the city to purchase.

How peaceful and beautiful here:

The kids, who are children or grandchildren of the patients. They are now no longer effected by the disease. This disease is now completely cured. Some more years, these kids will go to the city to study for junior high schools, then colleges, then find some jobs… Perhaps they will not come back to live here anymore. The village is getting smaller, older. It will be gone some days…

I am glad – these people have the photos today. I am sure they are looking at the photos right now, on the wall of their empty rooms!

The kitchen:

The lovely cook:

A patient. He did not like me taking photos. But then seeing the photos from the LCD of the camera. He changed his mind, he called me when I was ready to leave. That he wanted a picture. And he already dressed up to his BEST suits.

Since I am so far away, I cannot bring the photos by myself, so I called on my blog, I asked people to come, not because to bring my photos, but to visit, do some little helps, bring some gifts and have fun with the poor villagers.

And just in three days since I wrote that entry: The photos had been framed and hung on their walls. The village had a wonderful Labor day with wonderful strangers – strangers come from my blog…

This next entry is from a girl who came to the village on that day bringing my photos and her own gifts. There’s another one written in Vietnamese by another girl who was her company to the village. They both came home with enthusiastic, pride and happiness. I have never met her before, but I knew: from now on, I have a new friend. And I am also very surprised with her well-written English!

Please move on to my next entry!

Virginia is beautiful all years round, at least to me: because there are beautiful people living there!

I could not wait till the full cherry blossom due to a wedding contract in Dallas. I came here early while the flower-buds were still sleeping. And this time, I had my 5D mark II with me – that means I could do some motion pictures – my long time plan finally came into implementation.

It’s been over a half year since I met little Liam and Natalie. I saw them getting bigger and bigger. Liam could speak better in a very proper English style, and Natalie almost started her first walk. They are getting more beautiful and lovely. Aaah, my future kids dream!!!!

Again, we had wonderful time together. Liam and Natalie’s parents were going to work so they were kept by their grandparents. We did not go to the Pactomac river for the cherry blossom like every year. We went to the National Arboretum in DC. Despite the heavy rains days before and the flowers were not yet bloomed, we had great photos and VIDEOS!!!.

This is actually my first experiment on “moving photography” which you film and edit videos in photography styles. I had technical limits and I am still learning, but the video make all of us happy. There are moments which are beyond words or “technical things”.

The video was shot in full HD, so you should try to watch it in highest resolution your screen and computer can support. If the net line is slow, just press Play, then pause to wait for the buffer.

Ah, I sing in here too, hehe. Hope you won’t mind, haha!

There are some scenes with my face in it. I directed my brother to shoot, just some kind of curiosity, I wanted to see how my face is like on the screen, not bad hehe!

So, here it is:

And oh yeah, here comes the photos. Hope you will be happy or simply – feeling fresh looking at these photos!!!

The reason I am posting Autumn photos today. It is because I….did not post them last season, and they are too beautiful to be left out. Also, there is another reason, I will post spring photos right after this. What are the two topics having in common? They were taken in a same place, with same wonderful people: Virginia – where my “god parents” are living!!!

Last year – It was bad, very bad. But there was still one best thing happened to me: I met THEM – who are the kindest and the most wonderful people who I have ever met. Meeting them was one best thing to make up for my whole awful year! They are now my god parents, they care and love me as much as my parents do. Can not say how much I am lucky and happy!

I and my brother came to Virginia for the Autumn. Since I was little, I heard my teacher said: “Virginia is one of the most beautiful state in America. You must come here once, and you’d better come in the Fall”.  What he said marked steadily in my mind, that I decided I must go there whenever I have a chance. And I had – more than just come for a beautiful spring but to have two more people to love and care for you!

Things happened were just like a beautiful dream.

3 days staying there were one of the sweetest days of my life. When I am happy, I take beautiful photos. So here I am sharing with you, my beautiful happiness!

Early morning:

“My room”“

Natalie, little girl – who have been appeared to some people’s profile pictures ever since I posted her photos on:

So, 4 years went by and things were changed – in ways out of all anticipations.

I have started writing blog since my mom allowed me and my brother to register an ADSL service at home. And since when, I have unearthed loads of uncovered self – abilities. Oh man, did not know I am that good, hehehe! I got addicted to forums and blogs. I had a great forum that became a mind-massage room for all of my friends. And then I started to be heard around the internet, as ADSL was getting more and more popular in households in Vietnam.

I got hacked, I got mad, I got crazy, I was crazily happy with all the things happened to me on the screen. People said I was crazy and wasted lot of time for those “unreal” things. What does it mean by “unreal”? Whatever things happen that make you happy or mad, whether in shapes or not, they are real!

Do you see those books and photos? They are totally real, out from the internet!

People got doubts about what I was doing, whatever I tried to share or show. They even made rumors or cursed on my name. They put me on press with made-up scandals. Yet time is the best answer. Today, I was sent message: “How can I be like you?”

In order to show people how interesting my life is, I have to try hard. I have to make my life more interesting, I have to learn things, I have to train myself to be better. Well, it may seems like I am trying so hard to show off, but the great results at the end, are all on me, and for me! Things come naturally!

People asked me: You write like a very amateur person, how come your book is the best seller?

The answer is: It is because I write…like you do. I write like you write, I tell stories of my life which are happening to you too. I am just like you; perhaps it is just the way of sharing.

People asked me: How come you travel a lot? You said you don’t have money!

The answer is: I write my life, I photograph my life, that’s how I get traveling. People pay me to write and photograph whatever I would see and feel, about me, or about them.

People asked me: You seem to be happy all the time? Do you have any sorrows?

The answer is: No I am not happy all the time. I have lot of sorrows and worries. Life is not perfect. No one’s is. But I love being optimistic and I don’t have to show you everything!

People asked me: How come you seem to have an adventurous and exciting life?

The answer is: It is because I want it to be like that!

People ask me a lot. But the answer is all about CHOICES. You make your own life’s decisions. And we don’t know anything about tomorrow, just live the way you can and you want to!

You have seen my photography, here are my books:

OK. This might look scary to you.
There are 7 books in total. 6 of which is my first book: “New York love stories” with 6 different covers for 6 different editions. So actually it is just 1 book.

“New York love stories” was number one best seller in Vietnam in 2007 (not to be compared with hot – financial books).
The one in the middle is my second book, freshly-released. Perhaps it is the only cover, because I am not going to reprint the book. It was published as gifts to my family and friends, and people who care for me. It’s mission has completed!

Like I told you, I could never imagine they are mine one day! Life is full of surprises!

So sorry for deserting this blog.  I have been working hard for my new book’s release and travelling like crazy. Been a while since I wrote something in English, so do not pay too much attention on my English, hehe, as long as you understand what I MEAN!!!

I will start writing about my breath-taking Jetblue trip right after this refreshing entry. Today, I am in the mood for telling you about someone really special, someone I love a lot. My 2 years old cousin!

This little angel was born after his older sister 20 years, and to his older brother 12 years.  So here comes a funny story:  His sister who is now already 22 years old – a tall pretty girl – had been chased after by a guy for several years, then he gave up and went away.

One day, he came back home. He saw his dream lover holding a little baby in her arms. And he thought to himself: “That’s it, she is married, she has baby. My life is done!”.

He called her and told her how desperate he was. At first, my cousin (the girl) thought she must clear this misunderstanding, but then thinking of how crazy he was standing in front of her house in all these years had changed her mind. “Oh, yeah, that is my son, is there anything wrong? You should go marry someone and have one too, bleeh!!!”.

Oh yeah, the world welcomed a new broken – hearted young man! Totally broken- hearted!

I am the oldest grandchild of my grandparents and he is the youngest. Somehow among all the cousins, I have the most chemical connection with him. Since the day he was born, I felt something special, I love that feeling, and I use it every time I need inspiration.

“Chi Ha, Chi Ha , wake up wake up”. That is what he called me every morning. He would jump on me and give me a kiss on my cheek, then whispers again: “wake up wake up”. Can you imagine that is a 2 years old boy?

He rarely cries and does not ask for his mom or dad all the time. If you tell him not to touch something, well, he…still touch, but then he would smile and cover his face as if he knows he is wrong, no one would bother give him any punishment.

He loves camera. When I pointed my camera to him, he gave me wonderful smiles. He would smile and pose till he became numb. He is THE BEST model of mine until now.  Too bad I did not have much time photographing him when I was at home. But even if I had 15 mins with him, I already had tons of beautiful photos.

It is my best moment to ask him to dance with me. I must bend down my knees and hold his arms. Then we sang and moved together. I imagine one day, he would be much much taller than me, then it is him who would bend down to hold my arms to dance. Well, time flies, we’ll see…

When I said goodbye to him. He was sad, but then he put his palm to his mouth and blew me a kiss. “Bye bye chi Ha, bye bye chi…”

Him- some months old

HIM – NOW

He is asking for a candy

In memory of our grandfather. We love you so much!

It’s not a good year. It’s been a very tough year.

Yet I fought hard – and until now I have won all the troubles.  I won’t give up.

Thanks to new people I have met here. All are so wonderful and talented.

Here is my little gift for you.

Happy birthday to me!

Happy new year to you.

I wish you are all happy! That’s simple and that’s everything!

I go, I fly, I do things, I forget things, and I forget people….I feel bad sometimes, but…for sure there are some will forever stays in my heart, though I don’t see or talk to them often.

Surprisingly, some understands me so well, knows what I think or what I like despite my absent mind and my laziness of keeping in touch with them.  So, can you believe it? We don’t meet everyday, we’re always far away from each other, but she is my best friend – for 15 years.

Just like me, she comes and is gone just in a minute. Today she is with me in New York, tomorrow she is back to Vietnam, and next week, she is back with me again…..but if we have chance to meet, we would have dead fun: gossiping about people, taking photos, and….bringing me surprises.

Just wrote her a very long blog in Vietnamese. It would be great if you understand Vietnamese. Amazing things happened between me and her – they are all told there!

http://www.hakinkin.info/2009/11/25/208-b%E1%BB%91n-mua-c%E1%BB%A7a-h%E1%BA%A1nh/#comments

And today is her birthday – December 20^th – HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAREST FRIEND.  I always forget things, forget people and their….birthdays. But this year, I don’t forget you, hihihihi.

No need to wish anything I think – because she knows what I want best for her!

Been taking photos for her every time we had a chance to meet. She comes and goes, and one day, I realized I have four seasons of her in my gallery!

SPRING….

SUMMER – IN ÁO DÀI…

AUTUMN – GOING WITH HER FOR THE WHOLE DAY IN CENTRAL PARK – WE TALKED ENDLESSLY….SHE STILL REMEMBERED ALL THOSE THINGS WE HAD BEEN THROUGH IN THE PAST - IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE AUTUMN!

WINTER – WILL BE IN HANOI – JUST WAIT…..

You can call this guy “Kevin” ; Kevin Quan. Kevin is pretty well known by being the first male belly dancer in Vietnam.  At the time, belly dancing was still considered something “sexy”, “immoral”, “not good”…. It is heavily criticized from those old fashioned people and dumb husbands. And when belly dance mostly indicates to women, it is so weird to see a guy in this dance. And that made the name for Kevin.

Even belly dance recently has become a new wave and is widely accepted all over Vietnam. The story about Kevin is still always something pretty interesting.

Kevin was a student from Institute for International Relations, the university where I had attended but he is some years behind me. This is a high – rank and privileged university of Vietnam, lot of people were trying hard to attend to be a student here. But guess what, Kevin quitted the school when he was in second or third year, just because he did not feel like the place “is right” for him.

He started to do things that he really loved, he entered a fashion institute, and he fell deeply in love with belly dance. Despite the fact that being male belly dancer would be so weird and hardly accepted, he just did things he wanted to do.

At first, people screamed and got goose-bumps seeing him dance. What a ridiculous image of a guy: dressing in dress and in half shirt, shaking his boos and hip, eyes winking to the audience. Some thought this would create scandals, so they taped him dance, spread on the internet included with very ill – intended comments. People thought of him as a beast.

So, that is how he became “famous”, famous from being infamous first.  Even they did not like him, they still knew about him, and more and more people came to see how this “weird boy” dancing.  The thing is that, he did not pay damn attention about bad things people talked out there. He did what he liked, that’s all!

When something keeps happening, even if it was once considered “weird”, “unacceptable”, people start to enjoy and discover beauty in what they are experiencing. Kevin had been invited to big shows by then, he was on newspaper around with positive comments. Until one day, it is no more surprised seeing a male belly dancer. Let say, he changed people.

Kevin is good looking and pretty smart. Rumors spread that he is gay. (Well, gay is still “strange” and creates lot of gossiping all the time).  And well, indeed, he is.

And he shows: I’m gay, so what?

Tell you what, I love gay people, they are so talented and kind once they really love you. And I understand gay people quite well, since I have lot of experience with them.

Kevin once was my friend. Well, he was, it is hurt to say. We used to hang out, eat food on street and gossip a lot. He always showed like he knew a lot of people, he had a lot of friends, but I felt something that is not so comfortable being with him for long term, and I knew for sure: deep inside, he is so lonely, very lonely.

The song is titled: Dark Corner. Composed and sung by Nguyễn Hải Phong.

I know one thing about gay people, perhaps is not applied to everyone, but is mostly right best of time. It is that they always want to show  everyone they are really good, or better, they can use over – behaviors or even violence in order to be attracted by people/person they like – or just among a crowd. This also explains why there are amazing – talented gay people; they try hard to show off what they really have.

Kevin talked a lot, he met my “famous” friends, and he would talk bad things right in front of their faces or about other people, just to show he is really “special”. Sometimes he talked so much and the talked things without thinking about any consequences. He thought it was fun, he did not know that bothered people and, well, one day, he angered me extremely. He did not realize that he did something so terrible just by his words and he hurt other people real bad. I knew he was thoughtless, I knew he was still immature.  But he had to pay for what he had done! I could not be his friend anymore! Having him around is like carrying a bomb that can be exploded anytime.

He lost me, he lost my friends. He still said bad things behind my back, I knew. But I understand for him,  people understand for him. When he is really grown up, he will be different. One day, he will realize why he is so lonely; he will learn to respect what he is having.

I admit I admire his talents, his strong will. He can do and show things he has and he is without being scared of what other people say.

But no one is perfect. The more talented you are, the sicker you are as well!

I did this set in a bar located in an old house of Hanoi. The place is pretty; Kevin had a good relationship with the owner here, so we decided to carry out this set at this location.

I had no lights so the set was taken  in very bad exposures.  Indoor – some low bulb lights and hand held.  But then I liked it, because that was for no fashion or commercial purposes, it is nothing for something fancy but to show some dark corners of a lonely “star” –  indeed – a very lonely person.  He accepted this fact!

He was willing to take off all of his clothes so there are more shocking photos but I don’t show them. Just pick out some favorites from the set!

This is also a pure black and white set!