So Lucky Lucky

I'm feeling the courtesy of the Vietnamese in full force! The title of this entry, by the way, comes from a ubiquitous techno pop song I keep hearing on bus radios... I'm so lucky lucky! I'm so lovely lovely!

In short, I'm overwhelmed. For one, I have a sort of Sponsor in Hanoi as of last night... and secondly I've felt decidedly lightheaded for several days, probably due to a "post-exposure rabies vaccine series" I began a few days ago after being attacked by monkeys... (which is another story altogether). It's hard for me to grasp anything right now. But I've landed gracefully into Hanoi's sophisticated hands.

Last night I was ambling around and found myself at a Hanoi's only Jazz bar: Minh's. I'm writing post cards at a table near the back for about half an hour when a man comes to my table, introduces himself in broken English, buys me a Heineken, and then goes on stage with his sax, and plays the solo, having dedicated the next two songs to Yours Truly! Including Sinatra's My Way, just my kind of way... Is this what happens when girls travel alone in Hanoi?? (Two days ago my girlfriends ventured on to Cambodia while I chose to soak in a bit more of Hanoi for a few days.)

after this, we're chatting at my table, he in very broken English, about how he's the Director of the Hanoi Symphony at the OperaHouse, and plays the sax, bassoon, and flute... Offered me a Free Ticket... so it seems i have no choice but to go again to the opera! (The girls and I had already seen one very enjoyable performance of the Hanoi symphony, and so were already familiar with the famed opera house. It's strange to see it in a new light.) Then, Minh himself (ala "Minh's Jazz Bar"--also a saxophonist) joins us, at first as translator, and then just for another round... i tell them I've played classical violin for two decades and really appreciate music and their bringing jazz to Hanoi.

I'm not sure how well I understand the workings of the Vietnamese mind, but from what I understand I have free tickets to the opera herewhenever I want. And 'very good friends in Hanoi' and I'm to have a morning coffee and breakfast w/ the director at the opera house cafe...

This morning, I arrived at a gorgeous garden cafe outside the 100-year-old opera house. Just as I'm sitting down and have ordered a bottled water, I'm joined by my new friends. Minh is off to a rehearsal at the club after one cup of tea, and then Phu (the opera director) buys me breakfast and gives me a tour of the opera's "Seven Star restaurant," 1911, before having his secretary serve us another cup of tea (artichoke...) in his office.

And he offers to take me on an afternoon tour of the city!

At this point I'm downright overwhelmed and I decline, as we've already made plans to meet for tonight's concert. His English is truly broken, but from what I understand we'll be dining in this fancy restaurant and witnessing more live music after the performance. I'm hoping for a box seat... But really, am just ecstatic anyway.

signing off,
Princess Monika