Tradition Tuesday

(I had to flip the wording order in the title, because "Tuesday Tradition" sounds like a tradition performed on Tuesdays. Which this isn't.)

Monday we were invited to a Death-iversary dinner. Our landlord stopped by in the morning to say that the guy a few doors down - a friend, talented wood-worker, we've bought custom furniture from him - was having a Death-iversary dinner at 11 and we were invited. This is a Vietnamese tradition to honor their dead family members. 

We got there a little early, because we are punctual Americans and still after almost five years unaccustomed to the fact that a given time is actually a roundabout number and not precise. The people hosting it own a... villa? homestay? hotel-ish set of bungalows? During Covid the property slipped into disarray but we wandered the property and saw the signs of new work beginning as they get it back up to proper shape. They have some guests now, but I don't know how many rooms are even really ready for guests. 

I know there are guests because by the time people started sitting at the newly set up tables full of catering, two more foreign couples showed up. One couple for sure is staying there, but they'll be leaving soon. They had questions about this event:  

Is there a presentation or speech? 

Are we supposed to do something or bring something? 

The answers: No, and no. The tradition is to share food with as many living family members and friends as possible. The greater the number of people enjoying themselves and eating well, the greater the honor for the deceased person. (As I understand it)

So our table had Brett and myself, the French couple staying there, another foreign couple (I think she might be a guest there) a Japanese visitor, an Australian guy who's lived here for years, and three Vietnamese people. We were the English speaking table.

When the food slowed down, we were ready to go. (It's truly just about lunch. Even people who are working just come in when they can from work, eat out of respect to the family, and then return to work.) Brett teaches Monday night, and after the beers served with lunch, he wanted to have a nap before tackling students. 

But we got home and he said, "I kind of feeling like going for a ride!" So we did. It didn't take long to realize that it was getting too cold for a motorbike ride. It was supposed to rain all day, but the rain had so far held off. By now I wanted something sweet, and I had only had one cup of coffee before lunch, so I had him drop me at my favorite coffee shop for a coconut coffee. He drove off and I sat there and wrote this.

After my delicious coffee I walked home. 

It started to rain.

I think it will be a cold week.