Sunday, October 26, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
A little fat?
My tailor's reaction when she saw me after nearly two years away was:
"Very long time - you big now!"
I went to visit my "old" maid and she sad: "Maybe, you a little fat now" and gave me her biggest smile.
Yes, I have gained weight since I left Vietnam, granted - am I fat? Well, no not excatly.
But here, being fat is a sign of wealth. Being fat means having enough money to fill you stomach every night. Being fat is a compliment. I knew that, but nonetheless it was a tiny bit difficult not to be a little bit offended as I am raised in a culture where being told you're fat is certainly not a compliment. Furthermore, I doubt any person with a bit of sense in their mind would said it that frankly, should someone they knew years ago have gained a bit of weight.
But that's Vietnam and within a split second I smiled back and said: "Yes, I'm a little fat now"
"Very long time - you big now!"
I went to visit my "old" maid and she sad: "Maybe, you a little fat now" and gave me her biggest smile.
Yes, I have gained weight since I left Vietnam, granted - am I fat? Well, no not excatly.
But here, being fat is a sign of wealth. Being fat means having enough money to fill you stomach every night. Being fat is a compliment. I knew that, but nonetheless it was a tiny bit difficult not to be a little bit offended as I am raised in a culture where being told you're fat is certainly not a compliment. Furthermore, I doubt any person with a bit of sense in their mind would said it that frankly, should someone they knew years ago have gained a bit of weight.
But that's Vietnam and within a split second I smiled back and said: "Yes, I'm a little fat now"
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Back in Hanoi
So, I'm here. Back in Hanoi.
First impressions: Traffic has gotten worse - even though people are wearing helmets and there are more traffic signs up, it seems worse.
There are more flashy shops, more ATMs and you can actually withdraw 20 million Dong as opposed to 4 million in 2006.
Here are some pictures of the beautiful food I have been enjoying:
First impressions: Traffic has gotten worse - even though people are wearing helmets and there are more traffic signs up, it seems worse.
There are more flashy shops, more ATMs and you can actually withdraw 20 million Dong as opposed to 4 million in 2006.
Here are some pictures of the beautiful food I have been enjoying:
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