Johnnie Walker, Rice Wine = Dieu Luong

Leaving China, Vinny and I headed to Ha Noi, Viet Nam's capital to visit my host family in Dieu Luong. It had been almost 3.5 years since I last stayed with them while conducting malnutrition research with Crossing Borders back in summer '06. I remember last time I was there I was studying for the MCAT in 100 degree weather, no air conditioning and the electricity would cut in and out, so sometimes the fan would work, sometimes it wouldn't.

It was so nice to return after such a long time away. My little host brother was 13 years old and now he's almost 17, almost a grown man. My host mom had prepared a lunch for us, and Vinny and I had lunch with the communist party president of the region and the assistant secretary. We rode out to the commune with my old professor from the Institute of Nutrition whom I worked with, J.P. an American affiliated with Lutheran Church Ministry Services, and Anh Hai, a Vietnamese worker that worked with J.P. I was so happy to have J.P. with us so Vinny wouldn't feel like he stuck out too much as the only sore thumb, and J.P. was great in giving Vinny advice about Vietnamese customs.

The custom in northern Viet Nam is to take rice wine shots as you eat your meal with all officials and your host. Vinny was such a trooper and took about 20-25 rice wine shots. The host's family house changed a lot since I last lived there. They had just renovated certain parts of the house, adding on a kitchen (no more cooking in thatched huts), and the bathroom finally had a roof over it instead of just a toilet with four walls around it. I was super impressed!

Needless to say, Vinny and I (more Vinny, more than me) left quite tipsy if not on the verge of drunk after 2-3 hours of eating and drinking. My professor told me as we finished our tea before taking off that he thought I would never return to Viet Nam after my last trip and was pleasantly surprised upon my return. There's nothing that could keep me away from Viet Nam, everybody knows that.

On the way back to Ha Noi, we stopped at a stand to get one of my favorite Vietnamese treats (sua chua) aka Vietnamese yogurt. At this point, Vinny definitely needed a pick me up and as we sat down on the little plastic chairs, Vinny accidentally broke one of the chairs. Oops... we also had these wonderful little things that were little thin crispy crepes that were slightly sweet. There were also very delicious.

All in all, a great day introducing Vinny to my host family who everyone absolutely adored. I think they may like him more than me... :P