The team goes shopping

Sunday in Hoi An - a chance to play tourist. This town is full of Western tourists, so of course there are lots of shops and bargains to be had. Obviously everyone took this very seriously.

Our rooms in Hoi An at the Phu Thinh II Hotel were beautiful. The beds had large canopy mosquito netting, which Frankie and I both used. Here is Frankie looking very much like Sheherazade.
















We all had a beautiful breakfast spread in the dining room. I tried to take some photos of it, but needed new camera batteries. The hotel put out an amazing spread of all kinds of pastries, made-to-order omelettes, various sauteed and savory items, as well as fruit, juices, and great coffee. Obviously with all these choices we had to hang around a bit longer than usual to give it all a fair try. The setting was beautiful, complete with plants in bloom, chirping birds, a creek, and a very loud kitty. This poor baby, an orange tabby, would lounge around under the tables waiting for some lucky tidbits to rain his way. If he happened to be noticed by an interested party, the most pathetic atonal sound would come out of his mouth, and the volume would be adjusted by his level of desperation. I finally put a plate of left-overs down, including some omelet and ham from Wendell, and the kitty dived onto it. He did not look poorly fed - maybe a bit wormy (the kitty, not Wendell) - but he was a very cute distraction. He certainly got his breakfast's worth from our table.

Bill took off again today on his bike, so I don't have many photos of him. Wendell hit the streets early to find the best deals and do his bargaining magic. The remaining four of us - Alice, Catherine, Frankie, and I all went to the main shopping district of Hoi An to see what might grab our fancy.

Here is a photo of Wendell with one of his new shirts from the first day. He scored many good items and off he went again, only to surface later with more bounty. A man who shops well!














Yesterday Alice, Frankie, and I had gotten fitted for tailored clothing - an ao dai for Frankie and myself, and a blouse for Alice. We went there first to see if the items would fit. Mine was fine, but the garments for Frankie and Alice needed some touch-up. Catherine took this shot of Alice and I in our ao dais as they were being checked by the tailors. I think between my piano socks and running shoes, and Frankie's Keens, we may have created a new look.















We all managed to sqeeze together for a group photo - the three team members and the tailors. I didn't notice until later that the tailors were not smiling. Overwhelmed maybe?













Around every corner is more eye candy. The sidewalks are dotted with clusters of women and vendors trying to make their livings.















Colors at every turn! A beautiful medley of trees, and then this woman was selling hand-made whistles, giving demonstrations. Her sales pitch worked - everyone who came by seemed to buy a whistle.










This town is right on a river, which we finally got to see today. Not one I would want to swim in, but wide and full. Great for the many large boats that drive tourists around.









And a young man carving bamboo. Most of the shops here sell goods made by someone else, or if they are made by the shop owner, it is not where the crowds can watch. Too bad, so I very much enjoyed the opportunity to watch this artist work.















Common sight in Hoi An and throughout Vietnam - woman balancing goods on a bamboo pole over her shoulder with traditional peasant farmer's hat.












Wendell came back - loaded with great finds. How DOES he do it?!!















Then - to the sea! The South China Sea and a view of the Cham Islands.












Frankie, Wendell, and Bill; Catherine; and Alice.


























Rub-a-dub-dub
two nurses in a tub,
and who do you think they be?
Wendell and Frankie
acting kind of spankey,
waiting to go to sea!













Areca nut (betel) smile. (Good read: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Areca_nut)













Beautiful beach. Hard to believe we had to get back to get ready for work. At least we are refreshed again!













The ride back was a long one, with nodding heads and dozing brains. Three hours of viewing this land as we drive by gives one a feel for life here. Mostly rice patties, and not a piece of machinery to be seen. Just hard-working people with hoes and water buffalo. We are a long way from home.

That is not to say the ride was uneventful. Like most places we visit, driving is a real E-ticket (OK, for those of you not old enough to remember, that was the old ABCDE system of ticketing at Disneyland - the Merry-go-round was an "A ticket", and the good, fast rides required an "E ticket"). The "highway" that runs up and down the coast of Vietnam is a two lane road with small lanes on either side for bikes. We rarely saw a passenger car, as most of the population cruises through life with a bicycle or motor-scooter. The bicycles stay on the outside fringe, the scooters live on the edge and ride a bit in the road just next to the bicycle lane, and the trucks and vehicles drive down the lanes.

There is, however, this water ballet of passing that happens, and since there is no middle or passing lane, an interchange happens when a passing vehicle moves into the oncoming lane, honks and speeds up while the passengers (us) hope for the best. Most of the time it works, but occasionally an oncoming truck - blinking its lights (seemingly indicating "CHICKEN!!!") and refusing to back down - causes the whole pattern to scatter. For a brief moment the road somehow expands to accommodate 3 trucks across the middle, the passing and blinking and honking (and us gasping) is over, and the road resumes its deceiving order. I never looked back, but I can imagine occasionally the bicyclists get scattered off the road and into the rice fields on the sides.

Upon returning, we all cleaned up and took a break, then went to dinner together. We found out that our next new surgeon will be surfacing sometime after 10 a.m. Monday morning if all goes well. We have a full day of 12 cases, including 5 palates, so it may be a late day, as Bill has to proctor (watch and assess) the new surgeon for safety, experience level, and autonomy. Also no word when the additional anesthesia staff will be here; so we may really have to wing it. Good thing we are all somewhat restored after our weekend adventures.