"A part of the main"
On Monday, we said good-bye to Kris, who begins her long trek homeward in order to get on another plane for D.C. on Saturday. Compared to what she faces getting home, the flight to D.C. will seem like a ride at an amusement park! Well, let’s hope it lacks the dips and bumps of such a ride!
As our participants were finishing up their work at the end today, we were wondering why no one was leaving. Turns out they were waiting for the Vice-Rector to join us, so he could say good-bye to Kris and extend to her some gifts. How easy to keep secrets when your guests don't know your language! The Dean also did the same. And everyone said good-bye to her individually and the Vice-Rector saw her off, walking her out the car and her waiting driver. It is amazing At any rate, I said good-bye to Kris at the hotel and she is now at Ho Chi Minh City, where she will spend the night and head off to the airport in the morning.
I am struck by how these kinds of things are such a social, relational event. People do seem to take care of you here. I don't remember a meal that we had with our hosts (and we had several!) in which food was served individually. It is all family style. Serving, presenting, and consuming food here is bathed in ritual. Certain dishes for certain parts of the meal or for certain foods. An order to the general consumption of dishes served. Sauces and spices to go with particular kinds of morsels (I need an instructional manual for all of this!). They enjoy eating and they enjoy eating together. I remain astounded at how good their food is. I have awakend taste buds I never thought I had.
As our participants were finishing up their work at the end today, we were wondering why no one was leaving. Turns out they were waiting for the Vice-Rector to join us, so he could say good-bye to Kris and extend to her some gifts. How easy to keep secrets when your guests don't know your language! The Dean also did the same. And everyone said good-bye to her individually and the Vice-Rector saw her off, walking her out the car and her waiting driver. It is amazing At any rate, I said good-bye to Kris at the hotel and she is now at Ho Chi Minh City, where she will spend the night and head off to the airport in the morning.
I am struck by how these kinds of things are such a social, relational event. People do seem to take care of you here. I don't remember a meal that we had with our hosts (and we had several!) in which food was served individually. It is all family style. Serving, presenting, and consuming food here is bathed in ritual. Certain dishes for certain parts of the meal or for certain foods. An order to the general consumption of dishes served. Sauces and spices to go with particular kinds of morsels (I need an instructional manual for all of this!). They enjoy eating and they enjoy eating together. I remain astounded at how good their food is. I have awakend taste buds I never thought I had.
posted by John at 1:33 PM
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