Hard work at the sea

In the last days of the year of the Cat, women in the coastal village of Cam Xuyen (Ha Tinh) are busy digging oysters and raking iron snails on the alluvial beaches and rocky outcrops. They are diligently searching for “sea blessings” to have a fuller and warmer Tet.

Around 2 p.m., when the tide recedes, women in the coastal village of Cam Nhuong, Cam Linh (Cam Xuyen) diligently follow the rocky beaches and alluvial plains around the foot of Cua Nhuong bridge to chisel oysters and rake for iron snails. Although this work is hard, it brings in a good income, so everyone is diligent, especially during the last days of the lunar year.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Lien (born in 1975, residing in Lien Thanh village, Cam Nhuong commune) shared: The work of chiseling stone and carving oysters lasts all year round, however, the end of the year is usually more hectic for us. Because this is the time before Tet, all the women want to have more income, so they work hard to go early and come back later than usual to exploit more "sea blessings".

According to Ms. Lien, where she lives there is no agricultural land for cultivation, the economy depends on the sea for a living. Men go to sea to fish, women, in addition to going to the market to sell fish, also bring tools to rake snails, chisel oysters, catch seafood... to earn extra income.

Ms. Lien excitedly said: "After more than 4 hours of hard work on the rocks, I chiseled more than 20 kg of rock oysters, selling for more than 250 thousand VND. The results of today's labor help me have more income to cover the Tet holiday. Hopefully in the coming days the weather will be favorable so that we coastal people can exploit more oysters and snails."

Oysters often grow on rocks and bridges. When the water recedes, coastal women in Cam Xuyen gather at the foot of Cua Nhuong bridge to dig for oysters.

Not far away, Mrs. Nguyen Thi Bang (born in 1960, in village 2, Cam Linh commune) was also prying oysters from the rocks drifting on the sand. With each oyster popping out of the rocks, Mrs. Bang felt an indescribable joy. For nearly 20 years, no matter how cold or hot the weather, Mrs. Bang has always tried to stick with the job to earn a living.

Being old, plus the cold weather at the end of the year, makes Mrs. Bang's work even harder. Mrs. Bang confided: "Life is closely linked to the sea, so no matter how rainy or cold it is, we do not give up our work, especially during Tet. Thanks to this job, I earn an average of 100,000 - 200,000 VND/day, raising my children to adulthood."

In addition to oyster drilling, many coastal women in Cam Xuyen also go raking for iron snails. This job requires workers to be in good health because they have to move a lot, pull heavy loads, and endure harsh weather for long periods of time.

Ms. Hoang Thi Tuyen (Xuan Bac village, Cam Nhuong commune) shared: The job of raking iron snails often follows the tide, we go when the tide recedes. In winter it is freezing cold, in summer it is hot, sometimes we want to take a break, but if we don't work, the family of 5 will not know where to look for food. Moreover, Tet is coming soon, so all of us sisters tell each other to try our best to have a warmer Tet.

The result of an afternoon of soaking in the water to rake snails for Ms. Tuyen is bags full of iron snails. Ms. Tuyen said: The weather has been favorable these past few days, so every day I collect 50 - 60 kg of iron snails. This type of snail is bought by shrimp farmers to grind into shrimp feed at a price of 4,000 VND/kg.

Like other workers, the days before Tet, women in the coastal area of ​​Cam Xuyen are busy making a living. For them, baskets of oysters, snails... are the motivation to strive to improve their lives. That is why people here always hope for favorable weather and more "sea blessings" to make life less difficult.

Van Chung

Source: https://baohatinh.vn/nui-hong-song-la/miet-mai-muu-sinh-noi-cua-bien/259980.htm