Entries this day: Laura back_to_Tien_Sa three_invitations

Laura

12pm ICT Tuesday 03 January 2006

Laura and I walked around Hoi An a bit and then I showed her where Tam lives, cause she (Laura) wanted to get off the beaten path. I ended up ordering new sandals from her brother (his shoe shop is right at their house), but I wouldn't pay the requested 100,000 dong because Tam wasn't there to fend for me; she had said 60,000 dong shoes from her brother the previous day. I paid 50,000 and we continued on our walk as the shoes were being made.

Laura and I were welcomed into a woman's house, where she (Lang) gave us tea and Laura took pictures of her baby (Hiu) and few year old son (Ha) and sister. Then Lang was like, "can you help me for about 30 minutes?" and I thought she meant for me to help her carry some rocks somewhere or some such, so I was like, "sure..."

We headed out and went to her boat (her house was right on the water). Laura and I didn't want to go together, in case something was sketchy, so I gave her my book and camera and headed out with Lang. I was like, "can I help you paddle?" and helped her paddle, and then I was like, "which way?" and she goes, "I don't know; you choose; left right okay." and I realized this "help her" was actually "pay for a boat ride" that I didn't want. I directed us immediately back to shore and ended up giving her about 10,000 dong (about $0.80) just to get away. It can be attributed to miscommunication, but still it was kinda weak.

- - - -

Back to Tam's house and watched the sandals being finished and still refused to pay the balance until I talked to Tam to get the 60,000 dong price, and ended up leaving the sandals there until I could meet her.

Back to the hotel and took a phat nap.

back to Tien Sa

1pm ICT Tuesday 03 January 2006

At the hotel alone now with Carla's $20 safety net in case Tam doesn't show up to take me to Tien Sa. I hope she does, - that will be a nice deepening of our friendship.

- - - -

At 1:15, Tam hadn't arrived, so I walked back to her house and found her there. She said she could not take me, but that her husband would. I wondered if that would have been communicated to me had I not come to her house.. I asked her how much (hoping for the offer of free, but still with the intention of paying a decent amount) and she asked for whatever amount I had paid yesterday.

When I inquired about the price of sandals, it was apparently the case these were higher quality sandals, and therefore worth 100,000 dong. Had Tam been there at the time I ordered them, I could have gotten the 60,000 dong version.

Hmmm.

It seems fishy, but I really wanna think that the changes were pure of heart.

Paid the remaining 50,000 dong and rode in basic thankful happy silence behind her husband and 6-ish year old son on the motor scooter. Didn't take many pictures, but they are all in my mind.. the close calls, the pretty Vietnamese dresses on girls on bicycles, and the wide variety of things carried... Gave him $8, and forgot my bag for almost long enough to be relieved of its company.

Ran back and caught him before he left. I trust it was unintentional.

Repaid Carla with $12 and 1000 yen.

three invitations

12:19am ICT Wednesday 04 January 2006

Got back from Vietnam today. I hope this is apparent, but I'm writing it because I haven't written anything here about Vietnam yet. Been too busy working on my curriculum, laughing with Carl and working on our funny idea:

We're going to invite the girls across the hall on a triple date, by placing three invitations under their door. The first one is printed in a curlicue font:

             Your Majesty of the Infinite Blue Sea,


Joy blossoms from the hearts of all those graced by your presence.

            If thy beauty and spirit allow, please accompany
           thine ardent admirer from the humble 3027th abode
            
                        Saturday
                    January Seventh
                    Two-thousand Six
                    at Seven O'clock
                     in the evening
                    in the Yacht Club
            
            
                    Faithfully Yours,

The second one will be hand written, something like,

Hey you, :-)
I know you're probably busy, but if you have time to meet up for dinner the day after Singapore, I'd be delighted! 7pm in the Yacht Club,

XOXO RSVP 3027

And the third will be written in crayon or marker:

Do you like me?

[ ] YES

[ ] NO

[ ] MAYBE (find out in Yacht Club)

- - - -

We are so hilarious!! We will not specify which one is for/from which person. Just good fun.