Homeless, Unemployed and....Shopping?

Yea, that's right mom and dad (on both sides). Are you proud? As mentioned, Hoi An is The Place for tailoring and we joined in. Actually, it was fun, for both Emily and myself. After carefully selecting a tailor that meets our fine tastes, we went through the ordeal of picking a design and fabric, getting measured, and waiting the whopping 24 hrs they need to make the item. We both got suits, we might need them if we get jobs again, and shirts. Here they are:


We liked them so much we had more made. One more jacket for me, and three more shirts for Em. Total bill, about $200. Not much for a working bloke, but allot for us. We felt good about it though.

We've also taken in a few sites, including a nice ride on motorscooters to Marble Mountain (i.e. more caves and pagodas), then Danang at rush hour (ask Em how fun that was), finishing off with a quick stop at China Beach. The next morning we then headed out for a 50 km ride to My Son, a Hindu series of temples dating between the 7th and 13th centuries. They have not been restored and most of the larger buildings have collapsed and been taken over by the jungle. It was a good contrast from Borobudur, in Indonesia, which has been almost fully restored. Here's a pic:


Hoi An would be on my short list for a great place to stay for a while. It kind of has it all: old downtown, beach, river and just a nice feel. The city was left alone during most of Vietnam's many wars and the old architecture has remained. We have had some very tasty meals, including some Hoi An specialties, like the Rose (a tasty little shrimp dumpling) and Cao Lau (rice noodles and pork, cooked with with water from a local well). Here's a pictures of me on a park bench along the downtown waterfront:


An another of me at the local beach(yea, rough life).