Would this ever happen at home? Would you go to a tailor to have some clothes made and wind up having the store owner and her family take you in as one of their own? Would they hug and kiss you and squeeze your cheeks? Would they invite you to join them for a birthday celebration for their kids? Would they tell you that you were now part of their family and would you legitimately feel like you were?
Well, this has happened to us in Hoi An, Vietnam.
On a recommendation from some travelers we met in Cambodia, we found ourselves at a tailor shop called Diem Diem. Immediately, we were given beer and food and made to feel completely welcome. Within 15 minutes of being in the shop (and ordering lots of tailor-made clothes), we had been invited to the birthday party of Diem's twin daughters, who were turning 2 the next day. We gladly accepted this invitation and at 4:30 pm the next day, Tyson and I arrived for the birthday celebration at the shop. However, we soon learned that the party was not going to be at the shop as we were escorted, along with 13 other members of the family, into a large minivan. We had no idea where we were going but we felt no fear or discomfort.
A few minutes later, we arrived at a local restaurant where we proceeded to have the most delicious Vietnamese meal that we have eaten since arriving in this country. The family sat Tys and I right in the center of the table, across from the patriarch of the family (who we affectionately call "Papa"). Papa made sure that our beer glasses remained full throughout the meal and our eating was frequently interrupted by the clinking of glasses and the shouting of "YO!," which means "Cheers" in Vietnamese. We ate family style and the food just kept on coming.
Well, this has happened to us in Hoi An, Vietnam.
On a recommendation from some travelers we met in Cambodia, we found ourselves at a tailor shop called Diem Diem. Immediately, we were given beer and food and made to feel completely welcome. Within 15 minutes of being in the shop (and ordering lots of tailor-made clothes), we had been invited to the birthday party of Diem's twin daughters, who were turning 2 the next day. We gladly accepted this invitation and at 4:30 pm the next day, Tyson and I arrived for the birthday celebration at the shop. However, we soon learned that the party was not going to be at the shop as we were escorted, along with 13 other members of the family, into a large minivan. We had no idea where we were going but we felt no fear or discomfort.
A few minutes later, we arrived at a local restaurant where we proceeded to have the most delicious Vietnamese meal that we have eaten since arriving in this country. The family sat Tys and I right in the center of the table, across from the patriarch of the family (who we affectionately call "Papa"). Papa made sure that our beer glasses remained full throughout the meal and our eating was frequently interrupted by the clinking of glasses and the shouting of "YO!," which means "Cheers" in Vietnamese. We ate family style and the food just kept on coming.
The first course involved making our own spring rolls from rice paper, lettuce, mint, cucumber and fish and dipping them into a chili, garlic and rice vinegar sauce.
The second course was small, whole squid, which were a little squishy for us (but the little girls sitting next to me just couldn't get enough.)
For the third course we ate clams in a soup broth: quite delicious but Papa opened the clams that hadn't opened during the boiling process and insisted that Tyson and I eat them. I'm pretty sure that you are NOT supposed to do this because it means the clams were already dead before being cooked (and rotten clams can obviously make you very sick) but we could not offend him by turning down his offers. I managed to put down one forcefully opened clam but Tyson had to eat two! Thankfully, neither of us got sick.
The final course was a Vietnamese hot pot that included fish, shrimp, squid, vegetables and noodles. By the time we got to this point, we were both so stuffed but kept eating what they put in front of us to show our appreciation. Yes, our seafood consciences were killing us throughout the meal.
This experience was very special and unique for us. We had the opportunity to feel, if only for a few hours, what it was like to be a part of a big, happy, lovely, Vietnamese family. It didn't matter that we couldn't understand most of what was being discussed at the dinner table, we still felt completely comfortable, welcome and included. And we feel very lucky that we were able to have an experience like this. We don't know why they chose us but we are thankful that they did. We doubt we will have another experience like this with strangers any time soon.
The motto of this family was, "Money is number 20, family and friends are number 1." And they are right. This experience helped us understand how special it is for generations of family members to be so geographically close to one another and made is realize how important it is, to us, to be physically closer to our families at home. Mom and Dad Feinberg, time to move to California! Seriously.
PS - While in Hoi An, our adopted family fed us at least 8 meals, several cups of coffee, and more beers than we care to admit. By the time we leave here tomorrow, neither of us our going to fit into all the new clothes we had made.
2 suits, 1 business shirt, 1 pair of shorts, 2 jackets, 1 pair of jeans, 2 pairs of women's work pants, 1 jean skirt, and 4 pairs of shoes: $Many Vietnamese Dong.
Spending 5 days being a part of a Vietnamese family: Priceless.
The motto of this family was, "Money is number 20, family and friends are number 1." And they are right. This experience helped us understand how special it is for generations of family members to be so geographically close to one another and made is realize how important it is, to us, to be physically closer to our families at home. Mom and Dad Feinberg, time to move to California! Seriously.
PS - While in Hoi An, our adopted family fed us at least 8 meals, several cups of coffee, and more beers than we care to admit. By the time we leave here tomorrow, neither of us our going to fit into all the new clothes we had made.
2 suits, 1 business shirt, 1 pair of shorts, 2 jackets, 1 pair of jeans, 2 pairs of women's work pants, 1 jean skirt, and 4 pairs of shoes: $Many Vietnamese Dong.
Spending 5 days being a part of a Vietnamese family: Priceless.
I love it, you guys! And have loved that you keep us posted on your adventures-- thank you! What a series of amazing adventures :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post and likely precisely the type of experience you hoped to achieve on this trip. You opened yourself up to this opportunity -- you couldn't have planned it!! Enjoy your final days on this adventure!!
ReplyDeleteCousin steph