ohana means family

Yesterday afternoon, Mave, Danielle and I went to went to the art museum here in Hanoi. There were so many lovely pieces: paintings, sculptures, laquer on wood. There were sculptures from temples that represented gods with many faces or many hands. They had so many facets and colors.There were also large doors that were intricately carved with wonderful patterns of dragons, flowers and swirly lines.

Dinner that night was eaten on the street at a hot pot place. This means that all the meat and vegetables were laid down in front of us and a hot plate was turned on where we could cook our own food to our own specifications. There was curried chicken and beef as well as papaya, eggplant, okra, onions, and a root plant. It was so fun to be able to make it all ourselves! I definitely plan to return to this place. I will be sure to bring my camera with me next time so that I can take pictures of it.

I spent this afternoon with Ngan at her house. We rode on her motorbike to get there, her driving, me on the back. There was a possibility of death as we weaved through traffic and especially as we crossed the center line to get around other motorbikes. However, Ngan is a wonderful driver and the ride was quite nice. When we got there, her mother had made lunch for us. There was bun (rice noodles), a crab and tomato soup that had bean sprouts, star fruit and many other things in it. There was fried tofu and grilled pork. So much delicious food! Lunch was followed by a siesta and playing with Ngan's nephew for an hour or two. He is not even a year old and cute as can be. Ngan's mother poured me some wonderful artichoke tea while I played with the little man.

I got to help Ngan and her mother in the kitchen for dinner. We made spring rolls that were filled with bean sprouts, pork, and and so many other scrumptious things that I couldn't even begin to know what they are. We also made these leaf rolls which were a leaf filled with pork and fried. There was beef fried with morning glory. All of it was so amazing! Ngan's mother wanted to know how often my mother called me and if I missed my parents. I answered once or twice a week and yes, very much. We took a picture together before I left with the promise of more visits throughout the semester.

From left to right, there's me, Ngan holding her nephew, Ngan's mother, and Ngan's aunt and cousin.