As we're getting ready to head back to America, several people have asked for us to come over, to get together somewhere, to travel to their home village, etc. And there are definitely people we want to say goodbye to.
One of the families that continues to be good to us is Libby's friend Trang and her parents, as well as her older sister who is home from boarding school in America. The Phan family treated us to an amazing Sunday Vietnamese brunch that left us full and satisfied.
Those are hot dogs in that sushi, by the way. Not my favorite:
Following brunch, Ellie, Noah and I met with Mai Ngo, the high school student we've gotten to know who is applying to Hiram and other schools. I'll miss our Sunday afternoon chats over coffee, so I'm hoping she enrolls at Hiram or someplace close:
And that night, we were invited to Yen Ngo's house -- Yen is the sister Libby's advisor Sac and her teacher for lacquer painting. While we were still stuffed from the massive buffet we had earlier in the day, the food and company at Yen's house were excellent.
Throughout the day and evening we a lot of good conversation, including the topic of the future of Vietnam. Everyone we've spoken with in Vietnam about the government says that change is coming someday, just not soon. And I sense that as well. People are disgruntled with the government, but it seems to be functioning well enough -- and allowing enough freedoms -- that people aren't ready to march in the streets. That day is coming, and I won't be surprised when it comes. I was surprised that the topic came up in each of the three places we went today and speaking with our Vietnamese friends.
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