Story of a girl

She was part of the flock of kids that tailed most tourists that visited Red Sand Dunes in Mui Ne. This girl was definitely different from the others that kept "Buy from me! Buy from me!" hanging by their lips.

Far behind the cluster of shadows, a tiny figure was tailing behind them. I was taking my slow steps from far, not being disturbed by any of the kids since I looked like poor Asian or non-Korean that wouldn't sled sand. Then she stood there, without the plastic board in hand and asked,"Sand-sledding? " I said No because I just came from White Sand Dunes and I have done sand-sledding over there. Well, it was a lie because I didn't fancy much of this sand-sledding thing ( Come on, it was real crap! ) so I just spent all my time over there strolling on the white sand and the huge lake.

Then she said,"Ah, White sand dune is beautiful". I was hoping that she would leave just like the others, giving up and not disturbing me anymore. She did not. She walked next to me, quietly, not saying a word. So, I realized that, she was not part of them, she didn't have the big plastic board to sell her service, she didn't ask a lot of top-ten-annoying-kids-must-ask questions. My observation just encouraged me to start a conversation with her for the next hour.

She's the only kid I have met that would let me take her portrait and not asking for money in return. (This is a complement, trust me. ) At first, she was shy and reluctant whenever I pointed my camera at her. As time went by, we sat on the sand dune, played with the soft but burning sand.

From then, she started to let down her guard and smile in such innocence that I hope will stay with her as long as it can.

Note:
Most kids you see in Vietnam will sell you something. If they don't, their parents might, too.