Day 4: Cu Chi

Today, we leave Saigon for the countryside of Cu Chi to visit my mother's side of the family. The taxi takes us out of the city, onto the 50mph highway, turns into a dirt road full of chickens running around, and stops in front of a huge house. My mom's family represents the economic boom that has occurred in Vietnam over the past few years. Like many Vietnamese, they used their entrepreneurial spirit to attain new wealth. Just a few years ago, my aunts and uncles worked at 9 to 5 jobs. Today, my Chu 2 and Co 2 run a successful drapery business, while several other aunts and cousins now own internet cafes and fruit stands.

I meet my Di 2 and an assortment of aunts and uncles that look like me. I also meet my 5-year old cousin "Bean", who is so lanh I can barely keep up with him. Bean has even appointed himself my Vietnamese teacher.

In the country side, there are only three things for me to do: Eat, sleep, and nhau. Fortunately, I am good at all three. Here's a picture of me nhau-ing and singing “Đập vỡ cây đàn” with my uncle, Bean, and some local friends at the only restaurant in town. I’m told that the more they nhau, the better I sing.