Ho Chi Mama: Adventures of a VietMOM: Frenzied Fish, Fried Chicken and Other Highlights

We have no idea what was going on in the rice paddy this week. Apparently we missed the memo once again, but there was pandemonium about the fish. We have a very lazy river that runs under a bridge next to our house. "Very lazy" meaning "at times stagnant with gross stuff floating in it." From time to time we see a few guys fishing with poles or with big nets. We've never seen them pull too much in, but, when we do, we say a prayer that the fish does not find its way to the restaurant where we will be eating dinner that night.

Well this week something happened, and the lazy river became fish central. One afternoon, I heard what sounded like a mob of people out on the street/path in front of our house. I peeked out, and sure enough, men and boys lined the banks of the river on both sides. There was excitement in the air. There were half naked boys in the river. There were nets and poles and basket traps, and there were fish jumping everywhere. It was crazy. I went out to join in the festivities with my camera. I sensed this was a happy occasion. There were smiles all around. One sweet lady with red betel nut juice drooling down her chin offered me one of the grimy little fish in her hand. She apparently just stuck her hands in the water and caught them. I politely declined.

I don't know what was going on. But it was nice to see all of our neighbors so happy. They were like children at a grocery store who have found the broken gum ball machine that just keeps dispensing free treats. I think, for one night anyway, everyone in the rice paddy went to bed with a full stomach.

Speaking of gross things to eat, Grandma and Grandpa said goodbye to Vietnam with a tasty meal of Kentucky Fried Rodent. We are committed to the cause: reducing the Vietnamese rat population one rodent at a time.