Date Night Hoi An

Alert the Fashion Police!

Recipe for a hot date in Hoi An: Drop three children off at sleepover party.  Briefly consider changing out of damp clothes for the evening's excursion.  Decide that would be a dumb idea because you will only end up adding more soggy clothes to the ever-growing laundry pile in the kitchen/laundry facility. Don an attractive knee-length rubber poncho and flowered rubber crocs for puddle splashing.  Say a prayer to the rain gods and begin walking in the drizzle into the Ancient City.

Spot a few scurrying rats and various bullfrogs as you follow the road along the river.  With rain keeping to a light drizzle, arrive in the Ancient City no wetter than before you began your walk.

Choose a restaurant from among the fifty-plus offerings clustered in a three block area.  Smile as the restaurant staff skip with glee to see that you have chosen their establishment.  Relax in front of the fan to cool and dry throughout the meal.

Ninety minutes later, push back from the table having consumed a three course Vietnamese seafood  meal, two mugs of "fresh bia" and a fruit plate for dessert. Total bill: $6.00 (for two).  To celebrate your good fortune, toddle down the street to the boulangerie/patisserie and continue your quest to test every dessert in the display case.  Dawdle over mocha mousse, and chocolate cheesecake with hot tea and coffee.  Feeling absolutely stuffed and spoiled, waddle back through the rain and flashing lightening to your home in the rice paddy to watch a pirated DVD. Lovin' it!