master of puppets, i'm pulling your strings

I’m all set for India. I have ticket and visa in hand. I leave on April 9th, which leaves me some time to get organized. I’m starting to get excited because I was reading my Lonely Planet guide to India and I read about all the warm and fuzzy animals I can see in the Northern areas (not to mention the hiking opportunities). India has both tigers and lions! Whoo hoo! So after India and Nepal, I definitely will leave Asia. I am completely Asia-ed out.

I went to see the Water Puppets at the Municipal Water Puppet Theatre here in Hanoi this afternoon. Since the theatre has been presented in various international festivals around the world, it’s become a popular way for both the young and old to spend their afternoons. In fact, I bumped into my Malaysians friends there.

Fortunately, an English program was provided listing the vignette’s names. When you think about the effort these puppeteers make it is truly inspiring. The puppets are attached to a long pole while the hidden puppeteers (behind a bamboo screen) control their movements and actions. The water puppets were amusing and graceful. Dragons, unicorns, water buffaloes and people danced and played on the water. An accompanying band played alongside the stage with wooden flutes, gongs, drums and bamboo xylophones. I loved the music.