The Importance of Cool Air

Beautiful flower shops bloom on Hanoi streets.

Something we have learned in this lovely land is the importance of cool air. It is SO appreciated when coming inside from outside, and so taken for granted in your apartment when it's always there...except for when it isn't. We learned this hard fact on Monday when we had to forego a fun day on p-day while we waited for the repairmen to come, ya know, repair our air conditioner. 

And when we thought it was repaired, we learned, sadly, that it still wasn't and would take an extra afternoon of staying in the apartment for the repairman to, ya know, repair it completely. But it is now!!

I used to think my hair would always be short in Vietnam, but I'm keeping it long because it's easier to pull back and be even less hot than when it's short! A Vietnam summertime is not for sissies.

[We'll see how long it lasts (long) after I'm home again.]

This week was special in that the missionary leaders--all Zone Leaders, all Sister Training Leaders, A.P.s, Mission President and Wife--all met on Wednesday for their Mission Leader Council (MLC). This happens once a month, and the leaders from Saigon get to fly north to Hanoi for 2 days and a night to have this meeting where they decide what the training for the month is going to be at the Zone Conferences. On these weeks, we have extra missionaries at our District Council meetings because our District has the Sister Training Leaders from Hanoi, and they are joined by the STLs from Saigon. It makes for an extra large, extra fun group on Tuesdays! And extra appreciation for banana muffins.

It also means I get to make more treats to send with the STLs for the MLC because I was given the task of being the "Treat Maker" for all future MLCs. I'm not sure if that was the Mission Leader's idea or if I talked her into it.

Allen and I made it on a couple of walks this week; one was almost 7 miles and took us out into Hanoi and all the way to Train Street. We took our time getting there, and did our best to wander down the smallest, most typical Vietnamese streets we could. We hit a dead-end and had to back track once, but we did a pretty good job of seeing some new areas--not necessarily new things, but new places.

                                                        What kind of juice would you like? Made fresh while you wait!

Very narrow...

                                                          Some homes have very nice doors leading out into these very narrow alleys; we wonder what they're like on the inside.

This is a very typical little family-style restaurant. We don't think this would be our first choice of a place to eat. Who knows? We may really be missing something!

And this is a very typical home. They have their (very small) shop in the very front of the home, behind the roll-down door, and the woman is just inside on the couch, watching TV, and behind that is the staircase, leading to the rest of the house: probably a bedroom on each floor, maybe the kitchen, if it's not also on the bottom floor...

This was the first thing in the morning, and seems to be when the women do their shopping for the day, or maybe just for the next meal. They carry home their small bags of meat and other groceries, not like me, who would always stock up and buy food for the week.

The building on the left has "lucky money" up at the top, on the 

side of the building. This is a nice street.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

We were very curious about this home! It has such nice doors, and such nice scooter (car?) ramps leading up inside! That's where people park their scooters--in the front room.

I love the flower shops on some of the streets...

This woman had a traveling kitchen on her bike: she had pots full of something steaming hot, all kinds of food, and stools for sitting and utensils for washing up.

And here we are at Train Street again!

This rooster has a death wish, I think. He liked the tracks...

Sooooo many tourists...

My first official drink of coconut milk! Cold in the shell! Kind of pricey at $3.

We bought lunch this time, which was fun. Every restaurant along the train route wants you (of course) to stop at their establishment. And they all provide fans at your table while you eat.

Here it comes!!

We had forgotten how CLOSE it comes!!

And there it goes...

This week was also special because the District Young Single Adults held a special Mini Mission for the YSA to experience the life of a missionary for one day. There was a kick-off devotional Friday night, missionary immersion all day Saturday, and a closing devotional Saturday night.

There was a lot of celebrating, just like with a real mission.

And these missionaries taught in our branch...

Here's the whole Hanoi District YSA Mini Mission...

We ended our week with strange sounds coming from outside the bedroom window...

I don't envy this guy!

And a favorite scene from this week...

Have a blessed week!!