Hoi An

Anne getting fitted, yes 2 or 3 people at a time is quite normal 

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 Dinner at the same place, Good Morning Vietnam, for the 2nd night in a row...and we got the same thing...it was good gnocchi (Katie Williams - it was like the one you like uptown in CLT, can't remember the name of the place right now). Anyway, it was yummy.

On the water in Hoi An

Beach chairs in Hoi An

Our pool temp was about 85 degrees, serious bath water temps.

Pretty flowers my Mom would have LOVED!!!

Yes, we were riding ont he back of one of these motorcycles around town.

Handmade shoes anyone?

Burr at Mr. Xe's

Lots of fabric options

Some of the Vietnam folks

(Note - This is property of a mix of writing by both Anne and Burr Farrar)

First off, apologies to the legions of Facebook followers that hang on our every word.; The government has kindly blocked that website, presumably preempting an Middle Eastern style uprising.

That said, Hoi An is pretty darn cool.; It feels similar to Aruba, if Aruba was a tailoring hotspot (see below).; We are staying at the Palm Garden Beach Resort, which is absolute luxury and absolutely empty.; There seems to be 2 workers for every guest.;

Now, I am sure you are thinking..."Palm Garden Beach Resort.; Where have I heard that name before?"; Of course it was the host to the participants of the Miss World 2010 competition.; Pics&of the resort;to come soon, but we have had 3 days of great weather and are now starting to look like we have been living somewhere other than London the last 2 years.; We have spent most of our time at the resort at the beach and today we rode a jet ski.

Well I completely fell in love with our Hoi An resort.; It is heaven on earth. What makes it even better is its about 10-15% occupied right now. The pool is huge and we have our choice of about 50 chairs anytime we want it!;But, of course we dock at the beach – because the beach is beautiful!

Today we indulged in a little jet ski on the beach. Burr drove and I screamed most of the time, but it was fun!! Then we headed back into town for more fittings….oh the fittings.

What are the “fittings” you ask?; Well Hoi An is known for its tailor made clothing and Burr and I came on a mission. He wanted at least 2 suits and I wanted suits and dresses!!!; We heard from friends about 2 tailors and we tried them both. The first being Mr. Xe (pronounced Mr. Z).; We went in there and saw most of what they specialize in is suits. So we each decided to get 2 suits made.; There are different price ranges for different fabrics.; They let you feel all the fabric and see what you like, of course we only liked the nice fabric (apparently all wool and cashmere although I have my doubts). Once we said we both wanted suits we were pulled apart by about 2 Vietnamese people each shoving fabric in our face. Now I was none to pleased with this because I have to approve Burr’s choices! So I had to tell them to stop and let me help Burr ;- thank goodness I did, who knows what he could have come out of there with!; So we chose a navy pinstripe and Grey pinstripe for him. Then I choose a solid navy and solid grey for moi!

While I am choosing my fabrics and girls are flinging fabric over my arm saying this one looks better than that one, etc. etc. Burr gets pulled into the back for his fitting.; After I have chosen my fabrics I walk in the back and see Burr getting “measured” in only his boxers.; He is also dripping in sweat while a little Vietnamese man measures his pant length and mumbles something to the girl writing the numbers down…..I think what is going on?!!! Its not the “back” is that private. From then on it gets worse. The little man, who we later find out is “Mr. Z” says "cam wit mi” to Burr….Burr follows outside the shop onto the street and the next thing I know he is gone. I get measured and when we returns he tells me he was given a helmet, a driver, and all the sudden him + Mr. Z +Driver are headed to another warehouse on a motorcycle. Yes, 3 men on a motorcycle. I’m terrified!!!

We get measured and pay a deposit and say will return the next day for fittings….thank goodness no motorcycles rides for Anne. The next day we return. Burr and I come prepared with button up shirts and shoes. We oblige and put on our long sleeve shirts in the 100 degree humidity.; So we see that y jacket is too big and my pants are too tight, story of my life! GEEZZZ. So they say they will make changes. Great I am thinking…please let me change, these pants are hurting me. Then, while I am still in my heels, grey pants and navy suit jacket MR. Z. says again to me “Cam wit me” – oh lord, where am I going?! I tell Burr to watch my bag…. I should have said “If I never see you again, I love you” and all the sudden I am on Mr. Z’s motorcycle (sans driver – he drives - ;and sans helmet) headed down the packed street – lots of honking wearing my ill made suit attempting to hold onto these little foot peddles in my 3 inch heels, sweating horribly because its about 100 (I think). We arrive at what I call a sweat shop with 4 men, 12 sewing machines, none wearing shirts….all staring at me….either because I don’t match or because I am sweating like Burr Farrar. Then,   I am thrust into a dirty mirror and ;2 men start tugging at my jacket and almost arguing.  Then the jacket is tugged off of me – both arms at the same time. I am told to get back on the bike and we go back to the shop.

Whew…I survived I think!!! Oh no, then the entire thing happens to Burr…ahhhhhh. Please be safe!

The third day we come back for more fittings in the morning. I am entirely expecting everything to fit properly and when my pants are still too tight (stupid plate full of gnocchi I ate the night before)…I am yet again back on a motorcycle, no helmet, this time in my own clothes – thank goodness. We go much farther this time and end up at a open air house with about 6 sewing machines and 2 gentlemen….no shirts of course.; They tell me to go put my suit pants on in the bathroom. I change, holding my breath and come out. Again….more arguing in another language and shoved back to the bathroom. We leave the pants with the 2 gentlemen and ride back to the shop. This time, Burr’s clothes fit great – lucky dog. 

I did also have 3 dresses made not sure I am really in love with any of them…but hey they fit me and they were not expensive. We will see when we get back.

Now Burr's turn.....

So, after my haircut in Hanoi, I decided to go for a shave in Hoi An.; Now, this was my first professional shave and the bar has been set.; For $2, I got a cold towel, that may or may not have been clean, Gillette foam and a straight razor shave.  At this point, it seems pretty normal.; However, I wonder how many US barbers would then proceed to run the razor over my forehead and&;the bridge of my nose.; I didn't even know I had hair there!

He then gets out three instruments that look like they belong in a dentist's office and a spelunking headlght and goes to work cleaning my ears.  First instrument scrapes, second pulls and third is like a pipe cleaner.  I think my ears are clean, then again, I am not&;sure I was the first to have been ear-probed with these.

A couple of eye drops (oh yes, my tear ducts are now clean too) and a Home Alone-style application of aftershave, and I am good to go.

Hope you enjoyed reading about our adventures of Hoi An...its been a ride that is for sure!