Bargain or exorbitant? It depends
Audrey got her own set of traditional Vietnamese clothes for Tet (17 Feb). She really wanted an ao dai (pronounced ow yie), but the tailor said she couldn't make one, but she'd make this for her. I'm not sure what the difference is, but it doesn't really matter. Audrey loves it all. She got two blouses (long pink, short pink) and three pairs of pants (pink, yellow, white w/pink). It's beautiful and she felt like quite the special girl trying them on.I'd bought the fabric elsewhere last week. Total: 65,000VND (about $4)
I paid for the sewing work today. Total: 100,000 VND (about $6.50)
So all together, for 5 pieces of custom-made clothing I paid less than $11.
Then I went to the post office and paid more then 3,500,000VND (about $220) to ship presents home to family. After spending two hours in the post office on Friday only to be told that they couldn't quite figure out how much I owed and that I could just come back in the next day or two to pay. They took Yen's number and called yesterday to let us know that it was ready. 3.5 million VND. Who'd have thunk?! It cost almost $35 just to ship a necktie to Stuart's old teacher. For that price, the stuff ought to be there by Friday.
But really, I'm just so frustrated that it cost as much as a ticket to Hong Kong. I hope everyone realizes how much I love them and don't feel too sad when I tell them I can't afford anything for their birthday/anniversary/Christmas present.
----
By the way, the yellowing agent for the rice: turmeric. Anyone interested in her com ga recipe? I'll post it, if so.
5 Comments:
Teresa, I'm thoroughly enjoying keeping up with your adventures via your blog. Audrey looks beautiful! Can't believe how much it cost you to ship stuff (considering I only paid $1.84 to ship a package to Australia from Michigan recently).
Yes, please - post the com ga recipe. Sounds tasty. (I figured the spice used was saffron.)
Deb
Post the recipe and for god's sake don't worry about mailing me anything until you're back in the states!!!
--Lydia
Audrey looks beautiful, too! Wow, pink's really her color. Good job with the haircut, mom!
--Lydia, who got swept up in the terror of thinking about you mailing something to her before finishing her previous comment
Let me guess...Audrey's favorite color is ahhh...PINK? I'm glad that she likes to wear ao dai and she always has such a big smile.
And about the shipping fee at the post office, that sucks. Is it like...a special price for westerners or something? Doesn't UPS already operate in Vietnam, but you probably wouldn't be able to reach them in Tam Ky though.
Unless you have to send that special someone a local gift item that can only be purchased in Vietnam, I think it is less expensive to buy something on-line and have it mailed directly to the recipient.
Happy new year to all and don't start to pigout now.
BN
Finally got to the blog, Audrey is really cute in her traditional outfit. Can't believe the price! Don't send any gifts ! Everyone loves you anyway! Spend the $$ having fun and and seeing things there ( and food :) :) :) )!
HUGS
uncle D&J
Post a Comment
<< Home