"Inside Of My Tailoring Home"When traveling anywhere in Asia, and most countries I suspect, travel companies get a commission from other companies such as restaurants, convenience shops, and hotels that they bring people to. Normally, the hotels anyway, are way overpriced and in a bad location but since people are exhausted, especially after night buses, they choose the first bed they can see. This has taught me to never take the first hotel and explore the town before checking into a room. On some occasions though, like with Hoi An, even when the first place is an incredible deal, the traveler in you refuses to realize this and refuses to stay.
When I was first dropped off in Hoi An I check out some rooms in a hotel which the bus dropped us off, but after only being able to barder them down to 5 USD a night, I decided this was too much and, with the little energy I had, threw my backpack on and went for a look around town. Hoi An was one of the very few exceptions to the rule I stated earlier, and after exhausting myself in the mid day sun, I ended up back to the first hotel I looked at and happily paid them the 5 dollars just to be able to throw down my bags, shower, and relax.
Its amazing how far your money goes in Vietnam for accommodation. Sure you can find a room in Thailand, or anywhere else in Southeast Asia for that matter, for the same price but nowhere does your dollar goes so far in quality. In Thailand, for example, 5 dollars will get you a bed but thats about it, but in Vietnam, 5 dollars (using my room in Hoi An for example) gets you a big clean room that had luxuries like, elevators, your own bathroom with hot shower, comfy chairs and a love seat, a desk, an ottoman, and even a phone in your room for room service that was almost as cheap as the cheapest restaurant I found in town.
After having a little nap and ordering room service (that sure felt strange to say the least) it was time to explore the town.
Hoi An main tourist attraction is tailoring clothes. No matter where you walk or what corner you take it is impossible not to trip over these shops every couple steps. Whether you want to get suits, jackets, or just copy an old shirt you love, this is the place for you. When first arriving in town I was unsure if I was going to get anything made just because money and the fact that it was more to carry, but within the first night I had already ordered my first 24 hours there, I had already ordered my first jacket and had plans for a suit . . . or maybe two? Its hard to explain but with everyone around you either carrying freshly made clothes or in one of the hundreds of shops getting measured up, it very hard to resist.
The jacket I got made impressed me immensely because all they had to go one was a small, and not very good to say the least, sketch I drew of a double breasted jacket but with a few minor changes from what traditionally is made. After a meeting with the tailor and one of the girls from the shop to interpret between him and I, we changed the small things that worked on paper but in reality wouldnt really work out. After that I got measure from every different angle you can imagine and made an appointment for my first fitting in 18 hours from then.
When the time came I showed up at the shop to my completed custom wool double breasted jacket. I then tried it on and wasnt completely happy with the fit so the owner of the shop jumped on her motor bike and within the hour it met my standards of a true tailored fit. All of that, start to finsh, in 19 hours!!!
My problem with the quality, and how little time it took, was that once I seen it for myself I kinda had a hard time stopping. By the end of my 3 day stay in Hoi An I had two suites, two ties, a dress shirt, and my amazing jacket. For every article of clothing I made the people working at the shop never ceased to amaze me. No matter how many times, three was my most, that you were not completely satisfied with the fit, they would pin it and within a few hours it would be ready for another fitting session. I was so amazed at how much detail went into everything a person wanted to have made. Even with ties, for example, you had to go through heaps of different designs and patterns (who knew a tie was so complicated) and get measure so it would be best for you.
With my time in Hoi An that wasnt spent in tailoring shops I didnt do a whole lot to tell you the truth. I pretty much just walked around and took in a few sights, ate at some amazing restaurants, and spend one long overdue day at the beach. This in itself was a nice change considering I had been in Asia for over a month and had yet to work on my tan, which is quickly fading, and spend some good wholesome time in the sun.
After my time had come to an end I left with a very heavy backpack, and a light wallet, on an overnight buses, yet again, to Na Trang.
Na Trang only consumed one of my nights and as with Hue, basically just served to break up the journey to Mui Ne which was my next major stop.
Na Trang really the first truly beach city as you head south in Vietnam. Its roads are lined with palm trees and big fancy resorts that I could even wish to be able to stay in. Basically, even though I have never been there, it was like I was in Florida or California. The one memorable thing that happened there was after getting completely lost exploring the city, I stumbled across a big "Lighting of the Christmas tree celebration." This was definitely a sight to see with its dancing Asia elves and Santas'. Although it was completely out of place it was fun to see because I think this was the first time I realized how close it was to Christmas and truly start to get excited to be home for the holiday season. The event was a little off our normal celebrations but once again I think some things just get lost in translation from country to country.
I am now in Mui Ne which will serve as my home for the next few days. I am going to try to get sometime on the beach in, seeing as this will probably be my last place before I arrive to the bitter winter. If I am lucky I am going to attend a couple of kite boarding lessons and really make the most of my last few days of sun and sand before I have to say goodbye to it for another five months or so.
I've spent the last 18 months or so without a bitter winter and I am sure not looking forward to how my body is going to react come December 17th.
When I was first dropped off in Hoi An I check out some rooms in a hotel which the bus dropped us off, but after only being able to barder them down to 5 USD a night, I decided this was too much and, with the little energy I had, threw my backpack on and went for a look around town. Hoi An was one of the very few exceptions to the rule I stated earlier, and after exhausting myself in the mid day sun, I ended up back to the first hotel I looked at and happily paid them the 5 dollars just to be able to throw down my bags, shower, and relax.
Its amazing how far your money goes in Vietnam for accommodation. Sure you can find a room in Thailand, or anywhere else in Southeast Asia for that matter, for the same price but nowhere does your dollar goes so far in quality. In Thailand, for example, 5 dollars will get you a bed but thats about it, but in Vietnam, 5 dollars (using my room in Hoi An for example) gets you a big clean room that had luxuries like, elevators, your own bathroom with hot shower, comfy chairs and a love seat, a desk, an ottoman, and even a phone in your room for room service that was almost as cheap as the cheapest restaurant I found in town.
After having a little nap and ordering room service (that sure felt strange to say the least) it was time to explore the town.
Hoi An main tourist attraction is tailoring clothes. No matter where you walk or what corner you take it is impossible not to trip over these shops every couple steps. Whether you want to get suits, jackets, or just copy an old shirt you love, this is the place for you. When first arriving in town I was unsure if I was going to get anything made just because money and the fact that it was more to carry, but within the first night I had already ordered my first 24 hours there, I had already ordered my first jacket and had plans for a suit . . . or maybe two? Its hard to explain but with everyone around you either carrying freshly made clothes or in one of the hundreds of shops getting measured up, it very hard to resist.
The jacket I got made impressed me immensely because all they had to go one was a small, and not very good to say the least, sketch I drew of a double breasted jacket but with a few minor changes from what traditionally is made. After a meeting with the tailor and one of the girls from the shop to interpret between him and I, we changed the small things that worked on paper but in reality wouldnt really work out. After that I got measure from every different angle you can imagine and made an appointment for my first fitting in 18 hours from then.
When the time came I showed up at the shop to my completed custom wool double breasted jacket. I then tried it on and wasnt completely happy with the fit so the owner of the shop jumped on her motor bike and within the hour it met my standards of a true tailored fit. All of that, start to finsh, in 19 hours!!!
My problem with the quality, and how little time it took, was that once I seen it for myself I kinda had a hard time stopping. By the end of my 3 day stay in Hoi An I had two suites, two ties, a dress shirt, and my amazing jacket. For every article of clothing I made the people working at the shop never ceased to amaze me. No matter how many times, three was my most, that you were not completely satisfied with the fit, they would pin it and within a few hours it would be ready for another fitting session. I was so amazed at how much detail went into everything a person wanted to have made. Even with ties, for example, you had to go through heaps of different designs and patterns (who knew a tie was so complicated) and get measure so it would be best for you.
With my time in Hoi An that wasnt spent in tailoring shops I didnt do a whole lot to tell you the truth. I pretty much just walked around and took in a few sights, ate at some amazing restaurants, and spend one long overdue day at the beach. This in itself was a nice change considering I had been in Asia for over a month and had yet to work on my tan, which is quickly fading, and spend some good wholesome time in the sun.
After my time had come to an end I left with a very heavy backpack, and a light wallet, on an overnight buses, yet again, to Na Trang.
Na Trang only consumed one of my nights and as with Hue, basically just served to break up the journey to Mui Ne which was my next major stop.
Na Trang really the first truly beach city as you head south in Vietnam. Its roads are lined with palm trees and big fancy resorts that I could even wish to be able to stay in. Basically, even though I have never been there, it was like I was in Florida or California. The one memorable thing that happened there was after getting completely lost exploring the city, I stumbled across a big "Lighting of the Christmas tree celebration." This was definitely a sight to see with its dancing Asia elves and Santas'. Although it was completely out of place it was fun to see because I think this was the first time I realized how close it was to Christmas and truly start to get excited to be home for the holiday season. The event was a little off our normal celebrations but once again I think some things just get lost in translation from country to country.
I am now in Mui Ne which will serve as my home for the next few days. I am going to try to get sometime on the beach in, seeing as this will probably be my last place before I arrive to the bitter winter. If I am lucky I am going to attend a couple of kite boarding lessons and really make the most of my last few days of sun and sand before I have to say goodbye to it for another five months or so.
I've spent the last 18 months or so without a bitter winter and I am sure not looking forward to how my body is going to react come December 17th.
" A Lazy Day At Hoi An's Beach"
"The Faded Yellow Concrete That Makes Up Hoi An"
"Locals Hauling Cement"
"Hoi An's Local Market"
"Na Trang's Christmas Celebration"
2 comments:
4-0 for oilers tonight
i'll see you in p'land at christmas.
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