Homestay in the Mekong Delta

Last night we stayed in the beautiful and peaceful home of a family who lives on an island in the middle of the Mekong River. 

We took a rickety old boat there. Anna and Nyugen broke up on the way but looked good while doing it. 

The home had a beautiful garden full of lotus plants and fruit trees. 

The family did not speak much English, so it would have been difficult to navigate without Nyugen, but they were very sweet and gracious people who cooked us too much food. And they let us help!

Check this oven set up. Very traditional Vietnamese, according to Nyugen. His family home has the same deal. It was cool watching them adjust the temp by moving burning sticks from one side to the other. 

Anna did a lot of cooking and a lot of looking beautiful near food. Both are her strong suits. 

By special request, they made us Vietnamese pancakes. By not request, they made us nine other dishes. 

Thanks to her lovely upbringing, Anna does NOT LIKE wasting food (big thumbs up to John Green). This is a general rule, but applies double to Asian food. Like a brave soldier, she fought through the pain. 

We slept a in a big hall of bed opportunities, but it was just the three of us. After 70k that day we were safely tucked in our mosquito nets by approx 8pm. #partyanimals

The family also had between zero and several dogs. This one, for example, "does not belong to them" but never leaves the old lady's side. Below you will find Anna not obeying doctors orders to NOT PET STRAY DOGS IF YOU DID NOT GET THE RABIES SHOTS.

It was a lovely time and every bit as peaceful as I hoped it would be. Here's a picture of the sweet old lady as we were leaving. She was born in this house. 

Insider secret: the old lady was gently cupping Anna's butt as this picture was being taken. Based on facial expression, Anna enjoyed it more than she did.