(PICTURE: Huyen's new apartment. The person taking this photo had his back basically against the far wall...which isn't very far from the front wall)
When people get something new in Vietnam they are supposed to "wash it." No they don't physically put soap and water to the object. It's just an expression which means they must celebrate by buying others food/drinks, etc. So, Huyen moved apartments the other day and invited Ryan and I over to "come wash my apartment."
Let me just say, if you ever want to feel really good about where you live you should spend some time in a locals' apartment. Huyen's apartment is roughly 7 foot by 12 foot. Sure, it's probably just a tad smaller than a $1500 a month place in the village but it's lacking a few amenities like:
a) A mattress. There's a bed frame with just a rock hard "bed" on top of it. Basically it's just wood slots covered by a straw mat.
b) A toilet. There's a hole in the ground in a separate "room" but nothing to sit on. I just don't understand how the Vietnamese get any reading down.
c) A shower. There's a faucet which you use to fill up a bucket and then pour on yourself with a large spoon.
d) Air conditioning. Huyen's place is roughly 112 degrees Fahrenheit.
e) Window screens. Bugs/lizards just fly/crawl in. That said, it does come with a nice mosquito net.
f) A closet.
On the plus side the apartment costs $20 a month. Huyen splits the place with her sister so they each pay $10 a month. That's right, $10 a month. And yes, two people live in this tiny room. That's also the norm here. People always share their beds with friends and family.
Now I know why Huyen keeps coming over my apartment during the day -- she wants to use my bathroom and bask in my air conditioning.
4 comments:
I'm glad to see you "wash"ed off that mustache too.
How do you say claustrophobia in Vietnamese? None of us should ever complain!!
I still say she's paying too much.
Comment #1 is PG:
Ben, you confused my financial richter scale. Bagel and lox equals a months' rent. Her apt is totally normal for Viet and bagels are ridiculously expensive? Or the apartment is abysmally awful and is the equivalent of living in a $2.50 USD apartment here in the US?
Comment #2 sounds Rated R but is actually PG:
While visiting Spring Break 2004 with Ben while casting Fear Factor, we learned that US college students also like to "Wash" their new arrivals. Usually in the shower.
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