In Living Collar
Eggrolls. Salted water spinach. Risotto (or a variation thereof). Cured ham, sausages, bread, tea, sweets.. no more, please Auntie, we've had enough, thanks so much, thanks for the food, and your kindness so we must be going now.. Yes, it's ok, I have on a coat, it's not so cold outside. yes, we'll lock the doors when we come back, good night.. good night. Good night!
I'm stuffed. Our landlords.. our host family is really laying on the hospitality towards us. Today, we finally acquiesced to Bac Bao's ('grandpa Bao) offer to have dinner with him since he always eats alone because:
- his kids always eat out, and
- his wife is always on her diet and subsequently skips meals
His wife -- 'Co' (Auntie) picks up our garbage, plies us with her cooking, offers to go to the market with us everyday. Often, we'll just hear a knock on our fourth story apt and see her peep in. "Do you kids need anything? I've just made banh trung (moon cake) downstairs -- do you want me to bring up any?"
We've really been spoiled. They're doting grandparents with too much time on their hands and not enough grandchildren to release their charitable habits.
It's going to take some getting used to. It's been a while since I've felt the need to explain my goings and comings to anyone (perhaps middle school.. high school?). "Hello Auntie, yes, I was just out getting some fresh air.. going to the internet – yes the one around the corner that you showed us, no.. we have enough food, and I'll be leaving in a little bit again.. yep, we're going to do laundry later.. close the windows at night? no my cold is better, thank you!"
This morning, as Bac Bao was leading me to go get the 'best baguettes in the area", I was jolted to feel him grab my arm as we were crossing the streets. And sometimes when I talk to him or when we are having tea, he reaches over and pats me... almost like a pet. His eyes get so large when I reveal the cost of living in NY.
I've never been around people their age before. It's endearing – they want company to talk to. Bac Bao invites me to come read the newspaper with him. Auntie shows me how she cures meat and asked me if I've tried the corner noodle stand. She makes cakes and buns to share with the neighbors (even the ladies selling food on the sidewalks!). He walks around the block when he's not tottering around the house during the day. They're cute together --
Much better than their daughter and her husband who live above us – we hear their lovely duet each night.. at approximately eleven-thirty to midnight. It lasts about fifteen to twenty minutes before I put on my iPod headphones.
sometimes i'm surprised at how behavior in other people is considered "cute" but would be annoying if exhibited by our own parents. my mother still hasn't spoken to me in weeks.
Posted by: ink | February 13, 2006 at 05:17 PM