Cultural experiences

traditional Ao Dai.

The second day of the wedding started off slowly, the groom was supposed to arrive at the bride's house at 9:00 but got stuck in a traffic jam and arrived at 10:00. Rough start to a marriage. While waiting for the groom to arrive we drank a lot of tea, ate more than our fair share of pumpkin seeds, and took pictures with the bride. For the wedding ceremony she was wearing a traditional Vietnamese Ao Dai in red, which is the color brides wear. I asked Vy, our program assistant, why this was and she didn't know. When the groom arrived more than fashionably late the wedding proceedings began. I guess what we would consider groomsmen were all carrying large decorated boxes covered in red

Passing the gifts. The second woman from the right is Vy.

cloth. They presented them to the "bridesmaids," all members of the bride's family. The boxes represent the wealth the groom will bring to the brides family. I am not sure what was in the boxes but I think it was food. Then the bride and groom entered the house where they held the ceremony. The house was really crowded so we had to stand outside and peer in through a window. Incense were lit, there was bowing, and speeches by a few  people. The coolest part of the ceremony was when the groom put earrings on the bride. Vy explained that this means the groom believes his wife is a virgin so it is always a relief to the bride's family when the groom puts the earrings on her. I asked my homestay sister about this later and she said sometimes the groom just lies and puts the earrings on the bride anyway to avoid scandal. Originally the wedding was supposed to proceed to the groom's house, but since it was so behind schedule we all moved onto the reception part of the wedding, which was a lot of food and drinking for the men. And karaoke of course. I feel so fortunate to have been able to attend a Vietnamese wedding, especially the actual ceremony because usually it is only for family.

Getting the earrings– thank goodness!

The other really cool event I attended this week was the 33rd death anniversary of my host father's  grandmother. This is a Buddhist celebration that is commemorated for ancestors. My homestay sister says she usually attends two or three of them each year. Over thirty relatives came to my house to celebrate. Everyone brought some sort of offering (most of it was fruit) and put it on a table where they also paid tribute by burning incense. My homestay mother and housekeeper, with the help of some aunts, had been preparing food all day long. They cooked six chickens on top of octopus, pho, rice, banh it, and other dishes that I can't remember. It was a feast! There were hired caterers there to do the set up and help with the cooking, serving, cleaning, and transporting the food up the three flights of stairs! It was such a wonderful experience and I feel so fortunate to have attended. I was expecting some sort of communal ceremony but everyone gave their individual offering and then enjoyed the rest of the night.

Miu learning that pancakes are actually good.

This is my last week with my homestay family. I am so sad, I really wish that I could spend more time with them. They are so amazing, I am so fortunate to be placed with such a wonderful, kind family. Last night we all went out for sushi together and I was just so happy the whole time. Meal times with them are always the best.

Yesterday I was winning big when I found baking powder– something that supposedly doesn't exist in Vietnam. I was so excited when I saw it in the store. I obviously bought it so I could make PANCAKES for my family. My homestay sister said she had tried to make them before and they didn't really taste good. I told her she must have done something wrong because pancakes are delicious, which, after today, she now understands. I even brought out the maple syrup. I made the pancakes at an uncle's house so my host parents didn't get to try them. My sisters told them how good they were so they want me to make them again. I say no problem, I am not going to turn down the opportunity to eat something besides noodles for breakfast. I love eating my noodles, but after having one pancake today I want more!