International Womens' Day

Oct 20th is celebrated in Vietnam as International Womens' Day.  All women are celebrated for their care and love of their homes, children and spouses.  The streets had a plethora of flower stands with flower arrangements lining the entire sidewalks all over town.  The participants attending our workshop bought my colleague and me these beautiful flowers to honor us!

Cooking Class in Hue, Vietnam

I've wanted to take a cooking class in Vietnamese cuisine for several years and my schedule allowed time for that on this trip.  The chef at la Residence Hotel in Hue met me and together we went to a local market via rickshaw travel.  After purchasing the foods and spices to prepare the dishes I selected we returned to the kitchen and began cooking.  Complete with apron and a white chef's hat - I felt quite honored to be in a real Vietnamese kitchen.  The following are pictures beginning with the rickshaw ride to the market and ending with enjoying a meal cooked by myself (with assistance).  I received the recipes (in English) to try to re-create the same dishes back home and also a certificate which I will proudly share with my friends! 

                         

 

Back to Vietnam October 2017

This trip takes me to Hue and Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon).  I am excited to visit Hue as I have worked with university faculty from Hue but have not been to see their school or their city!  HCMC I have been to many times and have many friends and colleagues I look forward to seeing, working with, and learning from on this trip.