It was quite different from the graduation ceremonies I've been to in the states. There was no cheering, whooping, clapping, or going crazy when each name was called. There was no goofing around of the students, or funny sayings written on their motor boards. The audience was respectful and quiet during the entire 4 hours. Luan looked very smart in his cap and gown, and his mother, sister, wife and son are very proud of him.
Especially his son Sushi!
We were very honored to have been given the chance to attend the ceremony. We all went back to their house afterward for a wonderful lunch of soup, beef, and vegetables.
And his aunt bought him a cake that says Congratulations!
Early Sunday morning we were picked up in a car, which the family hired, and drove to Vüng Tàu, which is on a peninsula jutting into the South China Sea southeast of Ho Chi Minh City. When we got close, the driver stopped at a place where they sold crab, shrimp, clams, and squid and then cooked them up for us while we waited.
Vüng Tàu has a beautiful sandy beach with a long strip of beach houses, and we found a spot with shelter right on the waters edge. That's where we enjoyed our bar-b-qued lunch and boy, was it good!
The water was quite warm and we had a great day of food, sun, swimming, and celebrating the new graduate in the family.
When the day ended we stopped at a huge restaurant on the way home called Gành Hào that went on for about a mile! Of course we ate again. We had fried morning glories, fish and clams with cheese! The menu also had wild animals, but we decided against the sautéed wild boar with curry sauce till next time!
Today we joined Ron's graduate class for cafe su da at Highland Coffee, and then lunch at Tú Trì. This restaurant was right on the Saigon river and another one that went on for about a mile. Some of the places to eat here are so huge! The students ordered all of the food and we had many, many dishes including dove, goat, soup, rice, squid, and of course, fruit. Most of them spoke very good English, but they understood us way better than we understood them.
One student works for a vodka company and brought 2 bottles to share, so we had to have shots of vodka. When they toast they say "Mot, Hai, Ba, Yo!
Of course we also had Ba, Ba, Ba (333) beer to wash it all down.
They were very appreciative and thankful to Ron for being their professor this past semester and told us to make sure we keep in contact. The next time we visit Vietnam, they all want us to look them up!
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