A darling city

After my day of R&R, yesterday I was feeling reenergized and excited about exploring a new city. I didn't know much about Hoi An beyond that it comes highly recommended by everyone who's been here, and it's known as the place in Vietnam to get custom-tailored clothing.

Though my travel-weariness had abated, the rain hadn't, so I found myself slogging through puddles and exchanging sympathetic glances with the rare fellow tourists I encountered. It was well worth it though - I quickly became enchanted with Hoi An's narrow, winding streets lined with quaint shops and cafes, which reminded me surprisingly of a quaint Italian town.

After meandering through the central market and visiting the best-known tourist spot in town - the covered Japanese bridge - I made my way to a tailor that had been recommended to me, and proceeded to order not only the two tops I had planned, but also a skirt and three pairs of pants - all of which they said would be ready by 5pm.

Sure enough, at five everything was done, and I liked what they'd done so much, I ended up ordering two more pairs of pants, a dress, another skirt, and two more tops. The prices are similar to what you'd pay for clothes at Old Navy, but using quality fabrics of your choice, and all custom-made to fit your exact measurements. It was difficult not to order even more, but it's already hard enough as is to fit everything in my suitcase each time I move.

I also ordered a pair of custom-made shoes - something cute and strappy and completely unsensible. Because for $12, unsensible shoes suddenly don't seem so unsensible.

On top of the general cuteness, great shopping and of course my fabulous hotel, Hoi An also seems to have consistently great food. I haven't had a bad meal here yet, and many of the restaurants have a nice view of the river that runs through town. They also offer some interesting services - for a fee, of course (see photo).

I really hope I have a chance to come back and spend more time here some day. Two days just don't do it justice, and I can only imagine how lovely it must be when it's not the rainy season.

P.S. Since writing this, the rain has dried up, so today I was able to use one of the hotel's free bikes and pedal around town. It was not the best bike for me - it would have been a better fit for my friend Kim or my aunt Pat - but I still had lots of fun dodging the "moto-bikes" and the many pedestrians. I tried on my second round of clothes and ended up ordering even more. Help, I'm addicted to tailored clothing!

Comments

[Jan]

You should post a picture of the cute shoes.