Well, the old Macbook is hanging in there, though by a thread. My son could most likely figure it all out in minutes, as his computer savoy dwarfs mine.
Back to April 7. After returning to Hue from Dong Ha/Nhi Ha and meeting up with Khanh, we set forth to visit Ms. Hahn, The ARVN vet, and Mr. Thuong. I delivered boxed milk to Ms. Hahn and checked on her 50 ducks, which seem to be doing well. I promised to stop in to see her on the next trip. As you may recall, this always-cheerful woman has no arms.
The next stop was to the house of the ARVN vet, who had also received 50 ducks. After losing a leg in the war, he has supported his family making beautiful and functional baskets/trays from bamboo. I watched him shave the wood, weave it, etc...amazing. He can make one per day. Wanting to purchase two, I asked the price. There is no way that I could bring myself to pay his asking price of 50,000 VND or about $2.20. So, I handed him 300,000 VND for the two trays or triple his asking price.
The trays are top quality and make to use locally, not produced for tourists. You just have to admire this man's spirit and ability to make ends meet. I'll be back to check on him next trip. I dropped off a supply of boxed milk, too.
The final stop was to see Thuong, who greeted us with his always-present smile....milk for him, too. For a man who last both hands while a child, he has absolutely thrived. Nothing, and I mean nothing, gets this guy down. The pig pen that we funded is progressing at an unbelievable pace. His new pig, which we gave to him a few days ago, has happily adjusted to her new surroundings. OK, now here is the cool part. I had a wild hair the evening of the pig & duck deliveries and ended up getting a fridge for Thuong and is family. They have never had refrigeration. Though he lives 30 km from Hue, it was delivered at no charge by the retailer within two hours of purchase. He had no clue that it was coming. So, Thuong couldn't wait to show it to us. I had given him about $40 a week or so before, so he had funds to put on quite a special spread for us...shrimp, chicken, soup, and such...with cold beer. He told Khanh that he couldn't even sleep the night following the fridge delivery....too excited. Now he knows the phrase "bottoms up". For a guy with no hands, he can hold his own! I have such admiration for this family that promised to help them out from time to time until my death. So, the focus is Lady The, Duong, Thua, Thuong, Ms. Hahn, and the ARVN vet (can't recall his name right now".
So far, so good on this computer. I'd better get some photos attached before disaster strikes. Khanh has sent some to me, so I'll be adding a few more. But, I need to publish this now!
Neil
Back to April 7. After returning to Hue from Dong Ha/Nhi Ha and meeting up with Khanh, we set forth to visit Ms. Hahn, The ARVN vet, and Mr. Thuong. I delivered boxed milk to Ms. Hahn and checked on her 50 ducks, which seem to be doing well. I promised to stop in to see her on the next trip. As you may recall, this always-cheerful woman has no arms.
The next stop was to the house of the ARVN vet, who had also received 50 ducks. After losing a leg in the war, he has supported his family making beautiful and functional baskets/trays from bamboo. I watched him shave the wood, weave it, etc...amazing. He can make one per day. Wanting to purchase two, I asked the price. There is no way that I could bring myself to pay his asking price of 50,000 VND or about $2.20. So, I handed him 300,000 VND for the two trays or triple his asking price.
The trays are top quality and make to use locally, not produced for tourists. You just have to admire this man's spirit and ability to make ends meet. I'll be back to check on him next trip. I dropped off a supply of boxed milk, too.
The final stop was to see Thuong, who greeted us with his always-present smile....milk for him, too. For a man who last both hands while a child, he has absolutely thrived. Nothing, and I mean nothing, gets this guy down. The pig pen that we funded is progressing at an unbelievable pace. His new pig, which we gave to him a few days ago, has happily adjusted to her new surroundings. OK, now here is the cool part. I had a wild hair the evening of the pig & duck deliveries and ended up getting a fridge for Thuong and is family. They have never had refrigeration. Though he lives 30 km from Hue, it was delivered at no charge by the retailer within two hours of purchase. He had no clue that it was coming. So, Thuong couldn't wait to show it to us. I had given him about $40 a week or so before, so he had funds to put on quite a special spread for us...shrimp, chicken, soup, and such...with cold beer. He told Khanh that he couldn't even sleep the night following the fridge delivery....too excited. Now he knows the phrase "bottoms up". For a guy with no hands, he can hold his own! I have such admiration for this family that promised to help them out from time to time until my death. So, the focus is Lady The, Duong, Thua, Thuong, Ms. Hahn, and the ARVN vet (can't recall his name right now".
So far, so good on this computer. I'd better get some photos attached before disaster strikes. Khanh has sent some to me, so I'll be adding a few more. But, I need to publish this now!
Neil
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| ARVN Vet & Neil |
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| ARVN Vet & Neil |
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| Khanh, Neil, ARVN Vet & Wife, Grandchild |
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| Neil with Thoung & Family-ARVN Basket Gift |
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| ARVN Vet Making Bsskets |
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| ARVN Vet Making Baskets |
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| Thuong & Wife-Wedding |
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| Special Meal at Thuong's House |
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| Selecting Fridge for Thuong |
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| Neil with Thuong and his First Fridge |
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| Goodbye for Now |
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| Neil & Ms. Hahn |
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| Ms. Hahn's Ducklings |
Thanks Neil. I'm really enjoying reading about your trip.
ReplyDeletewonderful.....simply wonderful
ReplyDelete