ABSTRACT
I N The Early morning the Mekong River is covered by a dark, heavy mist. Gradually, it begins to lighten, a silvery luminescence shines through it, soon one can begin to distinguish the shapes of trees, of a pirogue and the small waves beating against the bank. As the moments pass, the mist becomes diaphanous, then, suddenly, it clears and one can see the trees, houses and people on the opposite bank. For a while there are still some dark patches of mist on the rising hills beyond. Then they are gone and everything is clear, fresh, and sparkling in the sunlight. It is a moment of ethereal calm and freshness.
