XXXXL – Living Large

Yes, that was the size on the tag of the bathing suit I bought in Cat Ba, Vietnam. And, it is one of those grandma editions – with the skirt and all (though I have to say I love how it hides my “trouble spots”.) Actually, I think I’m about as large as they come here, which is sobering, but on the other hand, my feet actually touch the floor when I sit in most chairs, so I’ve got the right height, at least.

Even more sobering, though, is the fact I am “living larger” than just about everyone here. While I don’t think anyone is starving here (seems to be plenty of food to go around), these people work HARD! Looking out our hotel window on Sunday morning (okay, over the fabulous balcony) at 6AM, people were all over the place. They seem to work from before dawn to after dusk, 7 days per week! And for not much, I might add. As I’ve been complaining that people haven’t stopped trying to sell us stuff since we’ve been here, I had to take pause today when a cycle/rickshaw driver was following us around trying to get us to take a 1-hour tour with him….for ONE DOLLAR. We weren’t in the mood to do it, but Jeez, part of me feels like I should have given him the damn dollar anyway.

So, as I enjoy 40 cent beers and delicious 10 cent spring rolls (really yummy!), and complain about the lousy performance of the US Dollar, I need to remind myself that I am only able to do this because others have way less than I do. And when the bedbugs to bite, and the people in the street annoy us with constant hawking of t-shirts and tours, I’ll try to keep all this in mind.