Rice Paper Village

We thought we were going to make paper again like the the elephant poop paper only out of rice. Turns out we were going to an island where they make the kind of rice paper that you eat. 

We went across the river by ferry. This is the only means of getting to and from the island. 

This lady needed help getting on and off the ferry but  rode off by herself when she up to got to the road.

First we visited a rice cracker manufacturer. He makes big thick crepe like disks sprinkled with nuts, sesame seeds and coconut.

The disks dry for 24 hours and then are toasted over a charcoal fire til crispy.

We had a sample, they were really good!

Most of the local rice paper manufacturers use a machine to roll out the papering long strips. When it had dried enough it is cut into squares.

We saw these frames drying all over the village including on the ferry ramp.

We visited a woman who makes the wrappers by hand and got to try our luck. We had limited success. She doesn't have to work much any more, her son works for Microsoft and supports her and her husband. 

The crepe size wrappers are steamed on a piece of silk.

Then they are put onto a rack to dry. They have the constancy of chow fun noodles before they dry. 

Her husband is a very accomplished musician and played a bunch of his traditional two string instruments and sang for us. 

We joined it for a few American folk songs and jingle bells.