Neighbors

(Completely unrelated photos)

We don't have many friends here who speak English. But we do have two neighbors who speak very well. We've visited with them a few times and recently they took us to another district to eat. They wanted to teach us more about Vietnam and the food here. Ironically, they took us to a restuarant (not in the pictures) that specializes in "street food" which is the only thing that we have eaten for the last six weeks.

We had our own private room and there was loud talking and laughing, and if I haven't mentioned it before, eating is NOT a quiet activity. Slurping, smacking, any kind of noise that you were told is rude as a child, is completely acceptable. We talked and ate and ate and talked for an hour and they brought out plate after plate of different foods (all of which we had had before, but we let them show us how to eat everything and pronounce their titles; it turns out that acting like a clueless American comes pretty naturally to us), and we drank delicious fruit juice. Then our friend turned to me and laughed and said that we hadn't even ordered yet; Those were just the appetizers. Oh my gosh. I turned to Erica and told her and we both made a silent look of panic.

They soon brought out something (in enormous bowls) that was translated as crab cake soup. It was AMAZING. It had noodles, and all sorts of things in it, but the broth was incredible. I was warned again not to eat everything because there was more to come. I told Erica and she told me between bites that she couldn't stop because it was too good. That bowl was taken away and another steamy bowl of soup was brought out. This was spicy and delicious also, though I couldn't pinpoint the flavors. I was told to squeeze lime in it. They explained that Vietnamese food is defined by being a little sweet and a little spicy and a little sour. That explains a lot.

That bowl was taken away and several of us remarked that we were full. Our pregnant neighbor, due in December, was not sympathetic and said that she was more full then all of us, and showed off her swollen tummy. She won.

Then they brought out ice tea and dessert, which was a glass of this milky drink with ice and floating jello in it. Erica and I both nursed ours as slowly as we could, hoping that the meal would be over before anyone noticed that we didn't like these jello things. No one seemed to notice, but the meal didn't end for quite some time yet. When we finally arrived home, Erica and I fell into a coma from over-eating.

Anyway, this story was unnecessary. I just wanted to remind you of our neighbors and how they've been so kind to us. She actually gave birth a few days ago. A boy. I haven't heard (ANY) good things about the health care system in this country and we are worried for our new friend and her premature baby. She's so sweet to us. I will update if we hear anything.