Today was another exhausting day. First, we had a Vietnamese cooking class this morning. There is a restaurant here in HCMC that gives cooking classes, where they teach you the whole process: bartering at the market, preparing all the ingredients, and actually making the food. Our group was split into three smaller groups, and we were each given certain ingredients and amounts that we had to go to the market and find. The market was a very interesting place...lots of different smells going on there, many odd sights, too (see the pig's feet below). The most interesting thing, though, was the perspective we got on how much things cost. We bought seven ingredients total: shallot, noodles, two types of rice paper, carrots, potatoes, and bananas. Enough of each of these things for 13 people cost 36,000 dong total...that's just about $2. Once we got all the ingredients, we went to the restaurant and started preparing all our ingredients. For example, cleaning the bean sprouts and morning glory stems and getting all the feet and shells off the shrimp. We made three dishes: fried spring rolls, fresh spring rolls, and a three course dinner of pineapple fried rice, fish, and soup. The fried spring rolls were my favorite and will be easy to replicate at home :) I never thought shrimp and banana could taste so good together.
After the lunch we made, we spent a few hours at Dam Sen Waterpark with some children from an orphanage. It was so much fun! Although they spoke no English and we hardly speak any Vietnamese, we still managed to get along really well. They were very, very friendly. Not 30 seconds into meeting them was I holding hands with two Vietnamese girls. And for the next two hours that didn't change very much. We rode lots of rides and did a lot of laughing and playing around. It was really rewarding seeing them get to have such a good time with us and with each other. They also loved taking pictures with us. I didn't take my camera with, but the adults that were with the group of children did and will be sending us some of them soon, hopefully.
These are just some random pictures I took today and thought were interesting. Enjoy!
The best Buddha I have seen in Vietnam so far.
Our delicious fried spring rolls.
The pig's feet at the market. "Is it dead?"
How old where the kids. And do you ever see steak at the market. Love Dad
ReplyDeleteAre you getting any better using the chop sticks?
ReplyDeleteThe food seem pretty cheap compared to here but not sound so good. The pig feet looked delioous ha ha. ITis always rewarding to see smiles on children even if you dont understand what they are saying. Keep up the special work
ReplyDeleteDiane
Yeah Dad, there is lots and lots of meat at the markets. And Mom, I'm not getting much better at using chopsticks, but I'm trying.
ReplyDeleteKel -
ReplyDeleteLet's get together when you get home and make spring rolls :). As you know, food in general makes me excited, but cooking food with you (first time ever?) will be the cherry on top. I hope you tried the pigs feet.
Amanda -
ReplyDeleteSounds AWESOME! I hear you can get all the stuff we need at the strip district...so I say we do a morning trip there and make some fried shrimp and banana spring rolls. YUM!
We are over at Uncle Bob's and we read all about your first 7 days. We are so glad you are having a good time. Your pictures are interesting. We am glad that you are eating. We were afraid that you would not be able to eat the food. We went out to lunch with your Dad today for Mother's Day. We had a nice time. It was nice spending time with my son. Are you getting enough sleep? Is there any night life there?
ReplyDeleteLove you lots,
Mom Mom and Pop Pop
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteAre there any T.V.s there?
Andrew
Mom Mom and Pop Pop - I'm glad you had a nice day on Sunday. There is quite the night life here in Vietnam, but I'm still managing to get enough sleep.
ReplyDeleteAndrew - There are actually entire stores FILLED with TV's! Vietnam is a lot more hi-tech than I thought it would be.
Love you guys!