Storytelling artist with Bill Gates enjoying tea meditation in Da Nang

Artist Hoang Anh Suong (right), nun, billionaire and billionaire's girlfriend on Ban Co peak - Photo: Artist Hoang Anh Suong provided

On the morning of March 8, when talking to Tuoi Tre Online , artist Hoang Anh Suong said that some images and stories of him and the billionaire had been agreed upon by both sides.

* How did Bill Gates invite you to serve tea meditation?

- At 5:00 p.m. on March 6, on the top of Ban Co Mountain in Son Tra Peninsula ( Da Nang ), I was very happy to organize a tea meditation session for billionaire Bill Gates and his girlfriend, Ms. Paula Hurd.

Because of the special nature, 2 days before, Mr. Bill Gates' assistant team flew to Hanoi , came to my house to discuss specifically and in detail.

According to the choice of Mr. Bill Gates' two assistants, I will make tea using an ancient tea set of the rich and noble class of ancient times including a stove, bronze kettle, charcoal, teapot, tea boat, Tong cups, Quan cups, inlaid tray...

* Were you pressured to serve the founder of Microsoft?

- I have a lot of experience welcoming distinguished guests. I was not stressed or worried. The preparation was also very quick.

Because the natural scenery on the top of Ban Co Mountain is so beautiful, my colleagues and I just arranged a set of antique tables and chairs borrowed from a temple there. We arranged the tea utensils as a small vase of flowers, making the tea-drinking space extremely beautiful.

And to add more peaceful energy to the tea meditation session, we invited a nun to join us.

The table and chairs for the tea meditation session were brought to the top of Ban Co Mountain - Photo: Provided by artisan Hoang Anh Suong

* Can you tell us more about the reception of this special guest?

- At exactly 5:00 p.m. on March 6, the convoy carrying the two guests stopped at the foot of the mountain. Mr. Bill Gates and Ms. Paula Hurd, along with a member of the organizing committee, slowly climbed the mountain. The management board and Mr. Bill Gates' bodyguard did not accompany them.

About 2 hours before, the road through Ban Co Mountain was restricted to traffic. The two guests responded to our greeting with friendly smiles. They were wearing T-shirts, jeans, sneakers , looking like normal tourists.

The sun was now fading. The wind blew coolly from the sea. The thin mist made the scene even more poetic. Mr. Bill Gates and Mrs. Paula Hurd were delighted.

After sending greetings and wishes for health, peace and happiness, I invited them to meditate with me.

The small bell in my hand rang out in the quiet space. I guided the couple in meditation. After a few minutes, everything became quiet. I could clearly hear the sound of a bee's wings flying nearby.

After about 10 minutes of meditation, we paused. Paula Hurd exclaimed, "I feel so peaceful." Her face was radiant.

* How did Mr. Bill Gates and Mrs. Paula Hurd receive his first cup of tea?

- The first cup of tea I offered them, they drank very quickly. I asked: "Is the tea too strong for you?". Mrs. Paula Hurd smiled and replied: "No. I find it very delicious".

The answer surprised me a bit. Since most Westerners are used to drinking black tea, which has a weak taste, when they drink Tan Cuong tea (I often infuse lotus flowers with Tan Cuong tea), they often say it is bitter.

"Because I often drink green tea at home," Ms. Paula Hurd explained.

Ban Co Peak on Son Tra Peninsula - Photo: TRUONG TRUNG

While enjoying tea, I shared with my grandparents about the sophisticated, delicate and elaborate art of lotus tea brewing of Hanoi people. They exclaimed in surprise. Mrs. Paula Hurd said: "Now I understand why lotus tea is so precious. And why this type of tea in the past in Vietnam was only for kings and queens."

Turning to Mr. Bill Gates, she joked: "You and I are now kings and queens." Both of them smiled brightly.

* How does the tea meditation take place?

- I instruct them how to hold the teacup, how to enjoy it in a delicate way. How to bring the teacup to the nose, take deep breaths to feel the aroma of the tea. Finally, bring it to the lips to take the first sip.

Hearing that, Mr. Bill Gates looked at Mrs. Paula Hurd and smiled, saying: "So, all this time we've been drinking tea the "ox drinking" way?". They both laughed. I laughed too.

At the end of the tea meditation session, I devoted much of my time to talking about the Zen and Tao in tea. They listened attentively. At 6:20 p.m., it was 20 minutes past the scheduled tea meditation session. I asked permission to end it. They smiled back and expressed their gratitude.

At this time, the nun rang the bell a few times and then read a prayer for the grandparents and everyone on this planet to always be peaceful and happy.

The sunset had long since disappeared. Looking down at the sea, the sea was purple. The city lights were on. Mrs. Paula Hurd exclaimed: "So beautiful!".

We took some souvenir photos together. Everyone looked peaceful and happy. Before saying goodbye, I said thank you and looked forward to seeing my grandparents again in Vietnam.

At 7:30 p.m., I went down the mountain and returned to the hotel. On the way, I kept thinking about Bill Gates being a billionaire. He had a thousand jobs and was only in Vietnam for a few days. But instead of partying, he and his girlfriend were eager to hear and learn about Vietnamese tea culture.

That alone is admirable!

Vietnamese tea artisan Hoang Anh Suong

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/nghe-nhan-ke-chuyen-cung-bill-gates-thuong-thien-tra-tai-da-nang-20240308093946399.htm