A little Peanut Brittle

left Hoi An this morning and I think my wallet is thanking me! It's been a lot of fun hanging out in Hoi An and its not just because of the serious threads i've gotten made.

The night I bumped into Claire, Shane, Tosh, JR, Joe, and Pete (folks i met in mui ne) I was introduced to Bugs (aka victoria) and Ezra an absolutely fabulous couple from England who are travelling for a bit. Ezra was nice enough to try and teach Bugs and I how to ride a bike of the motor variety! Yup finally got my butt on one. Nothing exciting, a few drives up and down a deserted road near hoi an beach cruising in 2nd gear, enough to get my taste buds wet..heehee can't wait to give it a go again in india

Also had the most amazing experience meeting a local woman named Hian. Hian sells peanut brittle and approached me one day. I had just had lunch didn't really want any and told her if i did i'd make sure to buy from her. I walked away and then thought it would be nice to bring something to the girls at my tailor shop - Nhi Trung so I turned around and called after her. She was so excited 1. that i remembered her name and 2. that i actually bought some.

A little while later as I was walking down the street she saw me and called me over.
H - you my friend, you number one, you remember Hian
BG - yes, well thanks again
H - my friend, your friend, you come my house free of charge 2 people moto we go my friend house eat

She proceded to draw me a map of the bridge and 6 dots and an arrow meaning i had to make a right after the 6th house. Well okay either i was going to get guilted into giving money or convinced that her sister or someone had the best clothes shop... either way she seemed harmless and I was up for a little more then just sightseeing

So at 3 o'clock i found her place and it seemed like everyone on her street knew i was coming. Hian invited me into her house introduced me to her family (mom, dad, sister, niece) and asked me to sit. She started telling me about her deceased husband and her family, a bit hard to follow sometimes as every few sentences she'd throw in a phrase like 'see you again'. Of course my vietnamese was piss poor so i wasn't complaining... then she walked over to her cabinet and pulled out an envelope filled with letters and pictures... ah this was beginning to look familiar, like the young girl Helena and I met after the 'short cut' down from Kalimutu. "My friends from ____ (fill in country of choice) send me money..." Luckily for me Hian I think was more interested in telling me about her 'english' contacts then trying to hit me up from money.

"Okay madame, follow me we go your friend my friend on moto" And away we went to her friend Lei and Ha's house. once we got there she made the introductions asked me to sit down and told me she'd be back. So here i was with 2 women making these rice and potato snacks wrapped in banana leaves with about 5 words in total that we all understood... luckily i had my little phrase book and we were able to get the basics, how old, married or single, kids, etc. Having a digital camera also really helps - everyone loves being able to see their pictures!

Anyway Hian came back with her sister and give bag filled with Ban Xeo... (i'm sure i've mentioned the yummy savory pankakes with shrimp and bean sprouts wrapped into spring rolls). We all sat around in a circle (a little pow wow with the ladies) eating and gossiping.. well okay they gossipped and made comments and i just laughed along.

Before dropping me off Hian asked that I come in the morning, turns out she had invited her friends from Danang who own a salon to give me a manicure/pedicure and facial... I was so glad that i hadn't arrived empty handed and had brought some pastries and goodies from the bakery. After i of course offered to pay for the services (a bit of a scary experience, and painful massage, but its the thought that counts)... i didn't care, i was so touched by Hian's hospitality and kindness to me, a total stranger who had just kept her promise to buy some peanut brittle.