Quilts, quilts, wonderful quilts

Audrey and I took a trip to a quilt store today called Vietnam Quilts. It’s a lovely little store not too far from our hotel. Note that if you go there, it's down a little alley and you can't see the entrance from the street. There's a tiny sign on a post with and arrow that's easy to miss. It’s a nonprofit organization that employs rural Vietnamese women. The quilts are gorgeous – all hand made and at very reasonable prices. Better still – they have a sale on for the next two weeks. Audrey and I scoped the place out a few days after arriving and then Doug and I went to the store on Monday when the sale started and bought Luke a quilt for when he’s a little older and in a bed. We also bought a beautiful quilt for our bed. When I told Audrey that the quilt she had liked was 40% off, she decided to go back. She ended up getting a different one (one she hadn’t seen the fist time) and luckily, it was also 40% off. So, in all, I was there 3 times within a week and the staff now recognize me. I think we’re done now, but I highly recommend this place to anyone visiting. The quilts are quite light-weight so it doesn’t add as much as you would think to your luggage, although they obviously add bulk.

Before we left, I asked if there was a grocery store nearby. We haven’t found one yet that carries all that we’d like in one place and we needed a few things. The woman suggested a place just down the street called Citimart (its right by a big place called the Saigon Sky Garden or Skywalk or something like that). It had the best prices we’ve seen so far and a pretty good selection. Despite the lower prices, however, Audrey and I bought 3 bags full (yes sir, yes sir, 3 bags full – sorry hard to say 3 bags full without that song coming to mind!). FYI again for anyone coming here – this place has baby wipes and lots of baby food and diapers, as well as bottles (Lukey’s getting picky and doesn’t like the ones we brought). As soon as we walked out of the store we realized that we had no money for a cab home. Awesome adventurers that we are (and me with my amazing special abilities – ha ha) we decided that we could walk it back to the hotel. Interesting that the first time we decide to walk a long distance it’s when we have 3 bags of groceries and a queen size quilt in tow. I said, “I think it’s this way, right?” pointing to the left. Audrey thought so too. Now I know what you’re thinking – you’re thinking that this is going to turn into a tale of us getting lost. Sorry to disappoint, but we navigated just fine thank you. I HAD been to the quilt store 3 times already after all, but we were impressed with ourselves nonetheless. What also amazes us is how used you get to things that a week ago were so foreign. No more hesitation crossing the street – we just step out with a “Thank you very much, but we’re going to cross now and I know you’re not going to plow me down, so lay off the horn” look. And to those laughing at us because we still don’t understand the light system –who cares! We just follow the locals who do know the system and we do just fine, even with 3 bags of groceries and a queen-size quilt. We arrived home hot and sweaty (I dare you to avoid this in HCMC, especially in March!) but very proud of out little excursion. It’s the small things that really satisfy sometimes.

Store front

Sign explaining the store's mission

Quilt hanging on the wall

Quilt we bought for Luke