what a week!

What a week people!
let's start with order.

Monday
Very slow start, the weather nice and cool, had a quiet day in the office, and at night a nice take away party with my house mates...

Tuesday
This was the day when it all happened...In the morning I went to my first Vietnamese wedding...unfortunately that was the day I forgot my camera....typical organised me!
It was one of my new colleagues' big day. Before I went, I was told by my friends that when invited to a wedding you need to put some money in an envelope, which was great, only I forgot to ask what type of envelope that should be? and worried that I'd make a faux pas I got a nice Vietnamese card (in an envelope) and brought it in, only to find that an AIR MAIL postal envelope would do...och well, you live you learn...
Got there with my colleagues, and we were greeted by the groom, who proceeded in explaining how a traditional Vietnamese wedding works.
It starts all off at a fortune teller, who by looking at the bride and groom's birth dates, not only would predict how the marriage will be, but will also advise them on the lucky date. So Quang, whose family is building a beautiful house in the outskirts of the city, organised the wedding on THE date, even though he would have been happier to wait till the house was finished. But he was happy.
The bride wasn't there, she was waiting for the groom to go to her house in the afternoon, when he would ask her father for her hand, would go to her room, and he would take her to his family home. In the meantime, people have come and gone from the grooms family house, where beautiful food is laid out. They would eat, congratulate the groom's family, give their envelopes and then leave. Apparently only the closest family and friends wait for the bride and groom to arrive to the house and then party on with music and drink.
The newly-weds will live with the groom's parents, because it is the duty of the eldest son to take care of his parents.

Then at night I went to the Opera house and for the first time in my life I saw a violin concert...Tang Yun is a Chinese 16 year old amazingly (here's that word again) talented violinist, who also played in the film "Together"...if you get the chance, do watch it.

Wednesday

Wikipedia writes

Today the X National Congress of the Communist party of Vietnam is gathering to discuss the direction of the Party for the next five years, as well as elect a new Central Committee. It is a major occurrence and Hanoi has been preparing for a long time now. The city is dressed up in reds and golds, there doesn't seem to be one single corner that doesn't have at least the national flag hanging from a window.





















Thursday..... mmh, can't remember....























Friday
Today it's Hoa Sua's 11th Birthday...what a great day! A great party for everyone, teacher's, students, volunteers and everyone who is part of this wonderful organisation.


















I'm bored with writing now! ehe hehh. sorry!
love to everyone....mmmmmmmmmmmmuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuacccccccccc