Absurd purple watches: a life lesson in bartering

Surgery in Vietnam is a different mindset than we have at home. It is more of a one stop shop, an attempt to definitively manage the problem. Staged operations don't exist and often because the surgery needs to be the final fix more aggressive measures are taken. Taking someone's bladder out also always equals creation of a neobladder. This is because they are unable to get and afford ostomy supplies (the bags that are used for drainage after this surgery in the western world). The percutanepus surgery for stones is minimal. The standard is big open surgery for stone removal. During the surgeries they do not struggle as much because of their thin patients. Obesity does not exist in this country (unless you count the two tourists I saw the other day) and it makes operating a lot nicer.

Today we visited the most famous pagoda in Hue. It is famous for it's beauty, the fact that a monk from here set himself on fire in protest in Saigon in 1963, a large buddhist cemetery that surrounds it (loved ones are buried near temples so that they can hear the monks chanting to give them peace in the afterlife), and the opportunity to see a monk with a weed whacker.

Post pagoda we went to thursday brunch. I am going to attempt to give directions. Drive through the cemetery and make a right turn at the second fork. When the road t bones go right. Then make right then immediate lefts at every opportunity. This will eventually bring you to the original road you started on. Park get out of the car and walk down the third alley. Pass lots of other restaurants on the way, but don't stop until the end. I give these directions because I think we drove for 20 odd min directly back to the main road we started on. However after all of this we sat down and ate one of the best meals I have had yet. Pork spring rolls and a wonderful salad.

After the afternoon English teaching, The cases in the afternoon were cancelled bc of an equipment problem, Steve and I went to the market so I could learn to barter and stop getting ripped off. And I found out quickly that are some vital tricks of the trade. 1. Always be pleasant and friendly. This is unlikely to get you a lower price but it makes it tons more fun 2. Don't want anything so bad that you can't and you won't walk away. 3. Walk away. Pretend pleasant disinterest. 4. This one is for Hao: don't get the reputation that you will buy something simply to make people just go away. If you do you will likely own 7 silk paintings and a silk greeting card for WAY too much money (and that wasn't even from the market. That was just sitting at dinner) 5. And the cardinal rule. Never EVER bid on something you absolutely don't want to buy. Or if you must make the price so low that they will never meet it. If they meet your price in the name of good manners you really should make the purchase even if you do end up with the largest purple watch ever.

Pics: wedding at the hotel, the pagoda, market fun, & of course the watch