I arrived in Hanoi late last night during a rain storm that blurred my fleeting first impressions of the city. Today, I’ve been in meetings tied to my hotel but for a brief foray into the surrounding neighborhood during lunch with an American friend. Along the way, we happened upon a small shop selling turned-wood bowls, and while my friend negotiated with the young, flustered female shop owner, I happened to notice her notepad sitting between two display cases.
The photo is a little unclear, but if you look close you can read the following English sentences (paired with Vietnamese translations):
“You can buy another one”
“We have many different kind”
“Please tell me why”
I admit to being utterly charmed by this, especially the third question, which – if my ears inform correctly – the shop owner could hardly speak.
Anyway, I’ll be posting irregularly over the next few days, but by the end of the weekend I hope to have a substantial post on my superficial first impressions of Vietnam. In the meantime, a view of the Opera House from my hotel room.
Truly charming, and gutsy of a beginner in another language to ask the “why” of a matter fully knowing it invites even more comment.