Safely Back in USA

After a grueling 30+ hour, 11,000+ miles (Saigon --> Hong Kong --> Newark --> Dulles [DC] --> Morgantown) flight we safely arrived back in Morgantown, WV.
After sitting at the Morgantown airport parking lot (outside) for 31+ days (free), the Jeep started with no problems!
Linh's experiences with US Customs @ Newark airport were "interested". Her suitcases were filled with 100 pounds of weird looking homemade Vietnamese foods (like ground shrimp thingies that looked like large bologna rolls. Then the xrayed her body - and - yes - an anomaly appeared on her body = US$'s duck-tape to her belly and/or back. Exciting trip stories!
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Sushi Feast

Tonight was my chance to repay the Phamily's generosity and many feasts! Their choice was a Japanese sushi restaurant. So - 16 of us enjoyed great sushi and tempura - above pic.
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Al Fresco Barbecue

This evening, the Phamily invited me for a barbecue dinner on their house's rooftop terrace. There was a total of 12 of us who all feasted on/enjoyed delicious barbecued shrimp, clams, muscles, babyback ribs, angel hair rice, and fresh fruit (dragon fruit, grapefruit, small Vietnamese bananas)!
Top pic = Linh & her 2 aunts (Nhu & My) barbecuing.
Bottom Pic = Phamily (minus 4) enjoying rooftop feast.
Fyi - the terrace is on the 4th floor, so everything including table/chairs had to be carried up from the ground floor! So, everyone help taking stuff up and down.
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Dinner, Coffee, Ice Cream & Cheesecake

I was invited by Linh and her family (minus her dad & mother) to a dinner at a great restaurant tonight. After a delicious dinner, we all went to one of my favorite cafes in HCMC = Paris Deli (above pic). There we had coffee and desserts.
Although I attempted to pay for dinner and later coffee/desserts, someone else paid for everybody - which has been the case every time we have gone out to dinner since I arrived in Vietnam!
The generosity and hospitality of ALL of Linh's family has been overwhelming - as well as their great humor and sincere friendship! All of which I greatly appreciate.
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Happy 2015 (1)!

Vietnam is 12 hours ahead of the US east coast. So - 2015 has already arrived here!
Linh, Dragon Boy, Aunt My & her husband, Linh's male friend, and I spent New Year's eve going to see the Exodus movie and then ringing in 2015 watching the fireworks in Saigon
Top Pic = all streets in Saigon are crazy beginning 2 Hours before midnight. This pic is of our street level fireworks watching sight.
Bottom Pic = fireworks begin at midnight!
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Happy 2015 (2)!

The above pics are of the continuing fireworks. All of us enjoyed watching the fireworks and welcoming 2015! I hope that 2015 brings all of you health and happiness!
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Phamily Dinner

Just returned to hotel from another delicious dinner at the Pham house = fried shrimp, great "grapefruit salad" with shrimp crackers, Russian salad, and fried pork.
Lady on far left is Vinh's sister who just arrived from Hai Phong (near Hai Noi) for a weekend visit.
As always, great food, humor and discussions!
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Christmas Eve 2014

Today was a great day. I walked about 5-8KM (3-5 miles) this morning visiting both a Hindu and Buddhist temple AND Notra Dam catholic church (built by the French in mid-1800's). <-- see - I have no religious prejudices!
This evening, Linh's family and I were invited to her grandmother's house for dinner = as always it was delicious. After dinner, the Phamily gave me a Christmas gift - a Vietnamese shirt made of a woven pattern that once could only be worn by Vietnamese kings. AND, Linh's aunt in Quy Nhon (a professional seamstress) made it for me! Above pic L to R = Linh's grandmother, Linh, me (wearing new, tailored shirt!), Linh's father (Vinh) and mother (Thuy).
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Fall 2014 Grades

Linh's Fall 2014 grades = 4 A's!
This is a remarkable achievement given that Linh is a foreign student in her 1st semester of a graduate program in a U.S. university!
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Good By Quy Nhon

Today was our last day in Quy Nhon.
After going to the temple and vegan lunch (see below), we spent the afternoon having coffee with and saying good by to Linh's many family members and friends.
This evenings dinner feast was at a restaurant "famous" for their shrimp (front in top pic) and beef (rear in top pic) fried "pancakes". Using scissors, you cut each pancake in half, roll 1/2 pancake in rice paper with fresh greens, dip in sauce = delicious!
After dinner, we went to Linh's aunt's house to have "hot pudding"dessert, coffee flan, mini-fried spring rolls - all terrific! Of course, we also played the infamous Vietnamese card game "Phom" (bottom pic)!
I thoroughly enjoyed Quy Nhon, meeting many of Linh's family members & friends for the first time, great discussions/humor/food.
Btw - I forgot to mention that December 20th marked Linh's 1st anniversary in the US!
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