Zendy & Jessica at Essence Cafe in Hanoi
A Bamboo merchant in Hanoi, Vietnam
Milk Vendor in Hanoi, Vietnam
Boy with four young chicks in Hanoi, Vietnam
Graffiti in Hanoi Vietnam
Mr Bui & Mrs Bui, Haiphong, Vietnam
Haiphong night market for wholesale vendors
Haiphong's grocery night market is big business in a country that is constantly cooking and serving food. Mr and Mrs Bui work 365 days a year because of the constant demand for their produce that they source directly from the farmers across the country. The woman in this photograph has walked to the night market and is selling her greens (likely Cilantro/fresh Corriander) on a yolk. The entire load on the yolk will sell for about 50,000 Vietnamese Dong (about $2) and is likely the main sale for this lady for a whole day.
Haiphong night market
Wonderfully fun and refreshingly unpretentious Karaoke
Chicken (fried) restaurant in Haiphong outskirts
A celebratory (due to having guests) meal at the Bui household. The men all sit on one side and the women on the other. A whole bottle of 12 year old Glenfiddich was consumed (only by the men - and Jessica) and lots of handshaking took place. Zendy translated with precision and diplomacy. The meal included a freshly slaughtered forest boar, most of its inner-parts, noodles, Vietnamese flat-bread with sesames seeds, fresh salad, roasted nuts and other gingery items. The animal was slaughtered and butchered fresh and bled immediatley. The whole party sat on the floor in keeping with tradition, a habit that is now resumed only for special occasions. Mr Bui showered us with gifts, food and a lot of honour - which we attemtped to show gratitude for with our limited Vietnamese. Teachers (of any rank) are treated with immediate respect; which is not in keeping with their status in the west. We learned today that until about 15 years ago it was relatively rare to see western styles of dress outside of Hanoi and HCMC and that families (save the rich) would rarely own a table at home for meals and dining.
wow what an experience!ive been watching from begining to what is now nearly the end with great interest and all i can say is hugo and jess is make the most of it while you are in the position to do these wonderful things!love to you both from me joseph and joey and see you saterday when you can deal with the looney english people at the marina!!!!!xxxx
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