Thanksgiving in Vietnam 2012

today is thanksgiving but its not a special day here obviously. we are going to the park hyatt tonight for turkey and fixings. i hope they have lumpy gravey and mashed potatoes. today i had nhi and ann carey for lunch. ms han made a fantastic soup called "bun rieu" or something like that. it was crab meatballs in broth with tomato and then you add salad toppings of your choice. she also made pate for another dish she'll make tomorrow and gave nhi a jar of pate. then went for 90 min massage because its 20% off $27 so who can resist a sale. wednesday ms. han had day off so i was the help. did laundry, served breakfast, tidied up beds, etc then went into town. on the return taxi ride i had a frightening experience first time. the driver didnt drop the machine so when i got to the compound it was 500,000 dong and i know its usually only 130,000 dong ($5 per 100,000). i got into an argument with him and my doors were locked and so were the windows. he kept yelling and i just said shhhhh. there was so much else i should have done: take out my cell phone, took off my shoe, taken his #s but i was just shocked at his behaviour. anyhow i ended up giving him $4US and got out. wish i could have reported him but as i said, i didnt take his number. next time, use my cell phone for photo and dialing. i was so distraught that i needed a facial. so 20% off facial helped my frustration at being dumb. i've learned a lesson to first make sure he drops the meter. dinner was two take out pizzas, two salads and one order of mussels. (dad, stephen and me) Tuesday: great day with ann carey and some ladies. went to a few museums. vn ladies museum, vn herbal medicine museum, lacquer factory and a nice lunch. dad had a dinner so stephen and i went to a new french restaurant and it was great. beautiful patio (but i think they might allow smoking outdoors so it could be bad). i had veal filet that was fantastic; stephen had scallop and ?? mixed up. one taxi driver i did have this week was very nice and he had a catholic rosary bead hanging from his mirror .. crystal. young guy. i'm starting to think the russians and french are not so friendly. no reply to good morning or hellos.