Keeping up with Granny

On our day off I was strolling around the lake. (It seems every town has a lake or river with adjacent park) No hawkers in site when this little old lady decides I needed company and to buy something from her. She played the juice harp for me to demonstrate how well it worked.


I did get a pair of earrings and said I'd like two for the price we'd agreed on. She then takes off down the road beckoning me to follow. She made good time for a granny. She has me stay put once we are near her destination, while she runs off - and I do mean runs - to fetch another pair.
Now I'm in fair game territory near the stalls and shops, so another woman approaches me with similar earrings for less money.
Oh, I forgot to mention, granny was short 5000 Dong in giving me change. So she comes back and now there are two of them insisting I buy their products. We negotiate a lower price all around and everyone wins. I am now almost out of dong. FYI its 20,800 dong = $1. It took some time to get used to the exchange, just think 1/2 and remove the zeros.
But I want to buy some postcards, which will no doubt get home after I do, but they are nice to send and to get. I now have a flock following me determined to assist me in spending everything I've got. I find a stand selling cards, the seller brings out a chair to make it comfortable to go through the stack. Its a real chair too, not one of these kindergarten numbers everyone with strong quads uses on the street. I mean really, they are only 10" off the ground!!
So I'm taking my time and they are commenting on which ones I should get. I bring out my camera and take photos of them and they of me and we have a grand old time.


I do get a couple of cards and spend every last dong. The seller doesn't even try to get his asking price, seeing I've emptied my wallet. One of the girls gives me a friendship bracelet and all head off in different directions, happy for the encounter.
-On the road with Kathryn

Location:Sapa