175. A trip to the tailor's before the overnight train (Vietnam - Day 3)
📅 22 March 2024
There’s nothing quite like waking up to a bunch of mosquitos peppering my legs. On my third day of my mini-holiday in Vietnam, I woke up around 6AM in the middle of the terrace underneath a mosquito net, with red little dots spread across only my legs. How on earth did they penetrate the net I was under? Do I start the day with cortisone cream or pho? I'll provide photo evidence of my legs below...
I went and posted the photo on my Instagram story… awful
It was going to be a calm, peaceful day. I just wanted to eat pho, breathe, and hang out at the beach for a little bit. I had a nice night out last night.
Excited for the solo beach day ahead, I decided to take my bag with some extra clothes, a book, and a towel and head towards the sea to pass the time. I stopped by a small eatery on the way to the beach to enjoy some breakfast before getting my tan on. My train was scheduled for 6PM in Da Nang. I had to arrange transportation to the train station in the mid-afternoon before heading off.
Here's my morning pho.
As I was walking down the road, my bag strap gave up on me and snapped at the seams. Desperate, I headed towards the nearby tailor as I clutched my tote bag. It was a small shop, facing the beach about 10 steps away from the sand. I asked the saleslady for a needle and thread, trying to remember the hand-stitching method my mom taught me when I was much younger. She handed me the tools with a look that said, “good luck” and I gave it my best shot.
Literally snapped in the middle of me walking omg
Me attempting to do this and forgetting how to hand-stitch whoops
After a few minutes, the lady (she later introduced herself as Andy) took the needle from my hand, unimpressed, and helped me sew back the strap. I started flipping through her catalog on a whim and her expression softened (maybe because I was a potential sale). I found myself ordering a dress and linen pants (they were very reasonable). I actually wagered a local price. It was in fact much cheaper than the tailors that were located in the Old Town of Hoi An. I explained to her that she has to ship it to Hanoi and she said it was no problem, no additional charge. I was so surprised.
The fabric shop in Hoi An. I hopped on the back of Aunty Andy's motorbike
Aunty Andy happily took my measurements and after negotiation, she motioned me to follow her outside and pointed to the seat of her motorbike.
There was something delightfully surreal about this whole situation. I hopped on the back of the bike and zipped through the streets. She told me that we’re visiting the fabric shop. So why not?
It was a literal treasure trove of colors and patterns. She bartered with the shop owner and then treated me to some Mi Quong (at local prices, of course).
Mi Quong at the beach!
Me lounging
During noon time, I was lounging around the beach until I saw my new friends again. I didn't know I would run into them again so soon. Everyone looked a little worn out but relaxed like me. I told my new friends about my morning adventure.
"Kayla, it seems like you're the type to have all these weird things happening to you randomly. Chaotic aura." I was told, sincerely and earnestly, not as a sarcastic remark. It was a very observant comment, in my opinion. I suppose a lot of odd things happen to me.
Many times I was told that I was a 'predicament person' - whether intentionally, unintentionally, fate, whatever - awkward situations just seem to be magnetically attracted to certain people and they hop from frying pan to fire infinitely. However, these aren't necessarily high stakes or damaging standout situations, just a lot of bluster and oddities.
I spent time with the group until they had to check into their new accommodations. I think I just wanted some company. They were all pretty tired and hungover from the night before, just like me in the morning. I sheepishly brought them a 8,000 VND large water bottle (~0.32 USD/0,30 Euro/£0.25 GBP/1.40 MYR) and left them alone. It seemed like the boys were feeling the effects of last night's party more than they let on. I could tell they were grateful for the water, even if none of us were in any shape for much conversation. So I said my goodbyes, gave a lazy wave, and made my way back into the bustling streets, feeling oddly content and a little less lonely.
Hopefully I could catch them in Hanoi?
I sat around my hostel, waiting for my ride to come. I was a little bit nervous because I worry about the congested traffic during rush hour in between the Hoi An and Da Nang city centers. In the car on the way to Da Nang, there were 4 people: the driver, A lady from Birmingham, a man from Hull, and me. We had quite a nice conversation and received good tips for Hanoi.
My sleeper train takes about 15-17 hours, depending on how slow the traffic and passengers are. I arrived at the train station, a little bit frazzled by the traffic here in Vietnam, but about 1.5 hours earlier than expected. I got a bahn mi from across the street and talked to some French tourists in French, because they were a little uncertain and lost. There are many French people traveling around Vietnam.
I'm en route to the capitol!
~ putting the hoi in hoi an bc i am filipina,
<3 K