Guys! A thing of such loveliness has just happened that I’m telling you about it while walking down the middle of the road. Don’t tell Mum! 🤣

After I posted yesterday’s update I went downstairs. I’d heard Tinh’s mother and mother-in-law chatting as they worked and I assume everyone else is out at work or school. I packed my bag and made my plan for the day and, as I came down, one of the women gestures to me to sit down. So I take a seat at the table and I’m offered tea. I think…. anyway, I say yes and then realise I’ve left my glasses upstairs, so I dashed up to retrieve them. When I came down, there was a huge bowl of pho, a dish of herbs, soya, chillies, and a jug of iced coffee – basically a feast!! And utterly, utterly delicious.

The women chatted and worked and laughed around me while I was eating. They don’t seem to have a word of English, but were super friendly even so. They were very entertained by my hat (a roll up rafia sunhat). I was sitting listening to them, thinking that it must be weird to spend your whole life with your child’s spouse’s mother. But these two seem to get on so well and it must also be rather wonderful to live with your friends. I mean. I’m sure it’s a friendship born of convenience, but no less wonderful for that, right?? I think friends are something we can all agree to take where we find them, no?

So anyway, sparing you my cheap psychological musings, as I ate I was kept extremely good company by these women who are probably about my age.

Then, when I had finished eating, and thanked them, and we’d mimed some pleasantries, I was getting ready to put my shoes on and leave and one of them pointed at my legs and said something. I was immediately concerned that my shorts were too short, or I had committed some grave faux pas. So I made a questioning gesture. She repeated the word, gestured at my legs and made a thumbs up. The other giggled and did the same! It was a compliment! They were admiring my legs! We all giggled and I mimed gratitude and swit swit swoo and we giggled some more as I set off for today’s adventures.

Lovely. I feel very blessed to be here and among such lovely people!