Sai Gon. September 3, 2001
Happy birthday Eva and Les!

Today is Vietnam’s Independence day, and much like the U.S., we have the day off from work and the country’s flag flies over every home. Unlike the U.S. however, hanging the flag over your home and business is mandated by law. Such is communist life.

I’ve got the day off from work (which makes up for my long day at the printer’s on Saturday), and will go over to Linh’s today for banh khot, which is a specialty of Vung Tau (a nearby peninsula). Di 9 and 10 have gone to France, Amsterdam, Belgium, and Italy for a month, and Thanh the driver has gone to his home for a week. I feel FREE.
Only two weeks till Jeff arrives, and I will be in good old American company.

Off for lunch now.
Hani