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Little Kirsty Ventures to Pastures New
Hoi An
Arrived in Hoi An at 6am and were dragged around every hotel that the bus driver had mates at. Don't think he realised that most people traveling on night buses aren't rolling in it so cannot afford such comfortable hotels with swimming pools. So eventually we found a place for about $2 a night, although the staff couldn't have possibly gotten more sour faced.
Hit the tailors straight away. The first one we went to got us all excited cause we showed them our designs and magazine cut-outs and asked if they could make them and the answer was always "yes". And there was a shoe shop next door so we could get shoes made to match! We all ordered something from there but moved on as we wanted to check out different tailors.
Sarah and I spent the entire day getting describing designs, getting fitted, choosing material, so exciting. Chez lasted until late afternoon whereas Kirsty and Annie took refuge in the hotel after lunch.
We met for dinner then off to bed.
Next morning we were up early as we took a tour to "My Son" - a group of ancient Hindu Temples, which have mostly been destroyed during the war. It was sweltering to say the least but worth the bus journey and walk to reach them. They were surrounded by gorgeous hills of the richest greens. The temples were a peaty colour with plants growing inside and all around them. We went round the diff groups of temples taking loads of snaps and trying to drink as much water as poss cause we were all drenched in sweat- soo hot.
Got back to the hotel, Sarah and I skipped lunch and headed for the tailors straight away. Got some more designs done, had re-fittings for clothes that had been made already and got some shoes done as well. Went for a drink in quaint café and a beggar approached Chez. She gave him a little money, then a guy sitting on his own in the café said that we really shouldn't feel like we should give to them cause we can't give to everyone. And then I said, yeah, I'd rather give to a charity or something that helped them. Then it turned out that we worked for a local charity there and we got chatting about it. He was also from Scotland so we were gabbin away for ages. The cafe we were in was a supporter of the charity and they showed us a folder of the work they do. It's a very small Charity and they work for an orphanage in Hoi An and have managed to get 3 physios, a few teacher's and helpers, cleaned up the orphanage with new beds and decorated the place a bit. It sounded really good so the guy has given me his card and if I ever come across a way of fundraising for them in the future, it's worth a try. I gave them what money I had left in my purse (which wasn't much after the shopping!) and the guys said he'd write my name on their website for recognition and I said not to be stupid cause it was a measly amount but that when I become a doctor and donate a decent amount, then he can do so.
Shopped until late- were getting things tailored in "Lucky Number" and they told us we could get their sister to make us shoes to match but she was about to close, so we hopped on the back of their motos and whizzed to the shoe shop. Got some funky heels designed, then went for noodles in this wee dudes restaurant. I really like places where people have their shop or restaurant attached to their house. Chez says she felt a bit invasive, especially cause this dude's wife was watching tv as we ate dinner in what was pretty much an extended living room. But Sarah and I quite like it cause it makes us feel a bit more involved and you can see first hand what their family life is like.
Next day I was up bright and early for my final day at the tailors. Sarah and I had so much to cram in- had to get all of our re-fittings done, last minute orders and had to pick up everything that night as I was heading for Hue the next morning.
The tailors we used most were-
Nu Ni- there was a really nice girl here and she made my Mischa Barnton dress perfectly and for an exceedingly reasonable price, so we went back to her loads.
Lucky Number- our favourite. These ladies were just too sweet. They sussed out my confusing designs perfectly and they were just so nice to us. We kept seeing one of them scooting about on her mo-ped, and the other I always saw feeding her babies outside her shop. They were always so thrilled to see us, which was nice. Sarah and I had banter at their shop with the funky material and chatting away to them was fun and they took photos of us in our finished products.
Watermelon ladies- they made one of my fave lilac silk dresses, and gave us free watermelon but there was a lack of communication and towards the end they were a bit rude.
Chic- Made a sexy clubbing dress for me, the girl that worked there was really touchy feely, which was quite amusing.
Shoes- lovely lady made my boots. She was the sister of the Lucky Number girls and she gave me a free purse on the night I left.
Towards the end of the night, I was really rushing to get everything picked up in time. When I went to Nu Ni, they were about to close and I had no cash, so the girl that worked there got her mate to zoom me on his moto to the hotel to get my bank card, then to an ATM and back to the shop. The locals must have thought I was a slut cause I sat with a legs either side of the moto and held on to this guys shoulders, whereas they all sit precariously cross-legged while they read a book or SMS on their phones- well I'm sorry but with no helmet- I was holding on!! (Don't worry mum, motos were nice and slow and careful on Hoi An).
Finally managed to pick everything up in time, before heading back to the hotel for Champagne (well sparkling fruit wine). Chez bought it to celebrate us surviving the tailors and picking up our produce in time! After a few drinks, we headed out for dinner. There was a goorgeous fluffy puppy next us with such a thick coat and we were all boiling so I dread to think how hot it was. I had only just started my yummy meal when the bar decided to close and we were all rushed to finish, which I was not amused about. We also had fliers thrown in our faces left, right and centre to get us to come to random bars. Ended up being ushered onto a bus to a crappy venue where we stayed about 5 mins before getting motos back to the hotel. The moto ride was pretty fun though- another starry starry night and a nice breeze in our faces.
Next morning I was up exceptionally early to attempt to fit everything into my bag. After much squishing and sitting on my pack, the zip was done up. I then set out to suss stuff out that morning but some locals were less than friendly and the realisation of just how corrupt some of Vietnam was, came to light.
After a less than successful morning, I headed back to the hotel to catch the bus with the others to Hue.
Hoi An was a really pretty, quaint town with a lot of French influence. It's a World Heritage site and the roads and buildings are all really old. There are no cars, only motos and bicycles. There were so many beautiful Vietnamese girls cycling around with their friends sitting cross legged on the back, giggling away. Throughout Vietnam, I found the locals in Hoi An had the best level of English language. I presume it's mostly due to the fact that their income comes form travelers like us. The town consists of 2 main streets, with 300 tailors. The rest of the houses hold the families of the tailors and other workers. When I walked a short distance from the main streets, and went down the narrow alley ways- through the windows of houses, I could see people working away on their sewing machines, or sewing the leather for shoes. I found it really cool. Reminded me of that story book about the elves and the shoe maker.
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