Today we traveled from Hanoi to the countryside for a party with Binh's family. First we visited Binh's mother who, at 83, is quite the writer. Here she is inscribing one of her three books of poetry to me.
This is the view from the front of Binh's mother's house. Nam is sitting and enjoying the peace and quiet of the koi pond. Vinh designed the landscape, tranquil and inviting.
Grandmother and Nam showing off their smiles. The painting in the background is by Binh's husband Vinh. Creativity runs in the family.
Binh and Nam. He is so proud of that shirt.
Myself and Binh in the entrance way to her mother's house. Everything about the place is beautiful and well-kept.
Just some of the family.
15 years old and already she gets a new motorbike. Before 18, you can legally ride a bike that is 50cc or less. Still, it can go pretty fast.
On the left is Binh's cousin who is home from Russia where she has been for three years. She is back in the village to take care of her ailing parents.
At the reunion, Binh sat next to Julie. Julie's parents are building the house where the party was held, a house only about 1/3 done. The first floor will be a coffee shop that Julie is going to own and manage. She showed me the interior design and it is breathtaking. She is a young woman who is going to make her mark in the world.
We all ate on the first floor of the unfinished house, the food being catered. There was a nice breeze and it didn't really feel like the 96 degrees it was. I had a wonderful time toasting with the men (rice wine...100 proof) and talking with the women.
There are so many children here this year that I have a difficult time trying to get a photo of everyone, so here is a sample of their smili...
Yesterday, I went with Fr. Hien and my English students to Sam Son beach. This is my third time there and it was beautiful as usual, alth...