Today was our trip to the Mekong Delta. We have been talking about this area since our classes started meeting. Today has been my favorite day because after ferrying to an island and getting a horse drawn carriage, we were given the chance to hold a Burmese Python. I had seen this in some pictures but forgot about them until I saw the snake. As I was waiting my turn, I thought that when I got to hold it, I should kiss the snake. Then the people in charge challenged us to kiss the snake so I knew I had to do it. I finally got the snake across my shoulders and everyone was shocked to see me do it. I was comfortable doing this because I know Pitt and UEF wouldn’t put us in danger and also because I know the python to be a constricting snake, so they don’t have venom. That means even if it did bite me, it would mostly just hurt a bit so I thought it was worth the try.

While touring the islands, we got an idea of the economy there. It is mostly a tourism based economy on the islands with fishing as well. They also make a lot of coconut flavored candies and those were pretty good. It seems that with the rainy season coming and tourism flopping, there is going to be a dip to their income but they will be able to feed themselves and export some goods.