On our first full day in Vietnam, Andy and I decided to go explore the town of Chau Doc. We veered off the main roads and had a wonderful time exploring the neighborhoods. We noticed an outdoor wedding reception (which we thought was a bit strange for a Thursday afternoon?) so I wanted to snap a quick picture. The table that was in our view saw us and started waving with gusto at us telling us to come in. We signed vehemently, "no;" we were not dressed properly and of course we were strangers and felt it would be inappropriate. They didn't take no for an answer; they physically dragged us in and sat us down and immediately started to pour Andy a beer. Andy doesn't drink, so he was trying to communicate that to them...after a lot of hand gestures, they came over and poured us a tall glass of orange Fanta.
We had no idea how to act, but we knew it would be rude to leave, so we embraced the next two hours and soaked in Vietnamese hospitality. These people were so much fun...we couldn't communicate with words, instead we communicated by following their lead with multiple toasts and eating foods that were...well...different. (We both paid for it with multiple trips to the bathroom that night...but you could see that they were thrilled that we were eating what they were heaping in to our bowls.) Seriously, the minute we stopped chewing they motioned to us to keep eating--I'm used to this with my mother, but at least I can tell my mom no!
Yep...that's the birds head on the plate.
After a couple of hours passed by we noticed people leaving; we didn't know if we were being rude by staying or if it would be rude to leave...we finally decided to leave by handing the groom some money (again, we really hope this wasn't insulting) and trying to say "thank you." We left in a daze...how did this just happen? One minute we're tourists walking the streets, the next minute we were sitting at a wedding reception and eating with locals. It truly made for a spectacular first day and an amazing memory.
So the moral to this story, try to get off the beaten tourist track while traveling; amazing things are happening in the streets!
This is a video of when we first sat down...I think you can see on Andy's face the look of "I don't know what we're doing here, but let's just smile!"
That's awesome! It makes me wonder if the bride and groom ever worried about the size of their guest list and here their guests are pulling random people in off the street! Can you imagine that happening at a wedding in the US?
wow!!! that does only happen in movies! but now i know it doesn't! hahaha, that would never happen in the US! you would be thrown out and called a party crasher! lol.
Wow! What a lovely experience. And I thought southern hospitality was amazing. I just can't see very many Americans allowing strangers to photograph their wedding, and I don;t know who would welcoming a couple of strangers to the reception.
It really puts things into perspective. Perhaps we can take a lesson from your Vietnamese hosts and remember that the wedding is about celebrating, and love, and kindness.
How incredibly fun! That kind of thing doesn't happen everyday and now you can say that on your honeymoon you "crashed" a real honest to goodness Vietnamese wedding ;-)
Ha! That is so funny...and pretty awesome. Can you imagine that happening in the USA? Being pulled into a wedding as a complete stranger is completely unheard of here! :)
How cool is that?!
ReplyDeleteDefinitely something that only happens in movies. You live a charmed life, my friend!
That is so cool! What an awesome story! For both parties!
ReplyDeleteThat's awesome! It makes me wonder if the bride and groom ever worried about the size of their guest list and here their guests are pulling random people in off the street! Can you imagine that happening at a wedding in the US?
ReplyDeletewow!!! that does only happen in movies! but now i know it doesn't! hahaha, that would never happen in the US! you would be thrown out and called a party crasher! lol.
ReplyDeletewhat a great experience!
ReplyDelete@Davanie--I definitely could not imagine this happening in the states! :)
ReplyDeleteYou two are so nice! That's why they invited you in. Love the video too - Andy does look a little lost! Ha.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun story to tell! That's absolutely amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thing to happen! A great memory!
ReplyDeleteWow! What a lovely experience. And I thought southern hospitality was amazing. I just can't see very many Americans allowing strangers to photograph their wedding, and I don;t know who would welcoming a couple of strangers to the reception.
ReplyDeleteIt really puts things into perspective. Perhaps we can take a lesson from your Vietnamese hosts and remember that the wedding is about celebrating, and love, and kindness.
oh my god, that's fantastic! talk about hospitality! and what a great experience, to attend a wedding in vietnam!
ReplyDeleteHow incredibly fun! That kind of thing doesn't happen everyday and now you can say that on your honeymoon you "crashed" a real honest to goodness Vietnamese wedding ;-)
ReplyDeleteHa! That is so funny...and pretty awesome. Can you imagine that happening in the USA? Being pulled into a wedding as a complete stranger is completely unheard of here! :)
ReplyDeletestephanie@metropolitanmama.net
what an unforgettable experience! too funny :)
ReplyDeleteOnly you two!
ReplyDelete