There are so many ordinary moments in life, in the midst of the noisy city, when people suddenly remember the sound of buffalo bells, the fragrant smell of straw on the back of sweaty shirts, remember the village road dotted with golden light where the bare feet of childhood once played with friends.
When memories seem to have disappeared somewhere, there is a place to hold on to them, in the space of Sinh Duoc Cooperative (Gia Sinh commune, Gia Vien district, Ninh Binh ). Here, buffaloes are considered friends of people, of the land and of childhood memories. Climbing on the buffalo's back, leisurely walking through the grasslands, listening to the chirping of cicadas and smelling the scent of new straw in the summer sun... simple but evoking so many emotions.
Arrived at Sinh Duoc on a clear morning. The sky was mild as if it had just passed through a night of rain, the ground was softer and more moist, the grass was green as if spread out as a carpet inviting guests. Large buffaloes, their backs slick, were leisurely grazing on the vast fields. A herd of ten buffaloes, both young and old, leisurely and calm.
Tourists, adults and children, who want to ride a buffalo will be led out to the field by a local guide and given a story beforehand. That each buffalo and calf here has a name. The cooperative assigns people to take good care of them, feed them cleanly, live cleanly and "love" people very much.
That's why the cooperative yard is always covered with large straw bales, not for display or for visitors to enjoy, but as reserve food for the buffalo, especially in winter when the grass in the fields withers.
The buffalo riding "service" actually came about by chance, not at all a business idea or a profit-oriented one. With just a few idle buffaloes, some funny farmers came up with a way to please tourists coming to Ninh Binh by letting them ride buffaloes to their heart's content.
Touched by the hot weather, the cooperative members enthusiastically told stories, gave instructions, ensured safety, and provided costumes and "props"... for which the tourists gave a small amount of money as a thank you.
Hospitable, so guests can ride the buffalo as long as they want, the locals never rush them, because for them, it is also a joy to share and spread the beauty of the countryside.
The buffaloes are gentle, the people look funny, and they also support taking photos and filming "virtual life" just like in a tourist area... in the middle of the countryside, there is suddenly a new destination, rustic but attracting guests just like a homestay.
Sitting on the buffalo’s back, holding the rope in one hand, the rider feels like he is touching a memory. The cooperative’s buffaloes are tame and understand the herder’s intentions. When the visitor pats its back, the buffalo patiently lifts its legs, slowly taking the visitor along the edge of the rice field.
Under each step, the clusters of Indian pennywort, a medicinal plant that the cooperative has cared for and exploited, are blooming bright yellow like a carpet of sunlight falling from the sky, spreading across the lush green grass.
The wind blew gently, carrying the gentle scent of rice, the sweet taste of the land and the harvest. Above, white clouds drifted, playing with each other like children playing tirelessly, sunlight filtered through each cloud, dyeing the ground a gentle, warm yellow.
In the distance, the blue mountains are faintly hidden like a watercolor painting, embracing the winding river that flows quietly through the green fields. The blue of the sky, of the trees, of the river and mountains blends with the yellow of the wild flowers, creating a gentle, pristine summer picture typical of Ninh Binh that makes people's hearts flutter as if returning to childhood.
No need for technological games or long trips, right here, visitors can return to memories or share memories with each other.
Parents tell their children about their childhood, which may have been forgotten, but now suddenly comes back intact with the sound of buffaloes breathing heavily, the smell of mud clinging to their heels, the feeling of their backs soaked with sweat and their hearts feeling light.
The city children were excited, happy, and cheered loudly when they sat on the buffalo, holding a bundle of grass and pretending to urge "go faster!", while their parents smiled, sometimes with tears in their eyes...
The cooperative's support team always has someone nearby to control the buffalo, and someone standing far away, recording every moment and ensuring the safety of each tourist.
Mr. Vu Trung Duc, head of Sinh Duoc Cooperative, shared his joy when more and more visitors came to... ride buffaloes: "At first, people just thought it was simple to let the children ride buffaloes for fun, but unexpectedly, tourists found it strange and interesting and asked to try it. Gradually, one person invited another, one group spread to another, so every weekend or summer vacation, many visitors come to the village."
Mr. Duc was moved to say that, seeing children smiling from ear to ear on the buffalo's back, adults saying "it's been a long time since I've felt this feeling", he and the villagers were also happy. Everyone in the village was very excited, seeing their hometown loved. Many visitors came back, some brought their whole families back.
Returning from the buffalo, a long line of tourists sat on the edge of the field. Eyes still lingered on the shadow of the buffalo, ears still heard the laughter of children. There were so many memories that were not easy to name, they could only be felt with the beating of the heart in the middle of the field.
Leaving that place, people do not feel like they are leaving a game, an experience, but rather a part of their rustic memories. Everyone wants to carry with them the scent of the fields, the buffalo hoof prints on the land, and the friendly, lingering turn of the buffalo’s head as a greeting, a promise.
On the journey to find what we thought was old, people from far away suddenly understand that childhood is not left behind, but seems to be waiting for us to return, on the back of a buffalo, under the gentle and open sky of the countryside.
Source: https://nhandan.vn/cuoi-trau-tim-ve-tuoi-tho-post889709.html
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