Lan Huế

By night, Hoi An is lighted with lanterns. People still shop, shop, shop. I now believe that Hoi An is a paradise of shopping. After the quick dinner with chicken rice, we take a walk to the renowned Japanese bridge. In the dark sky, I see the crescent hiding herself behind the dense canopies, she looks enviously at the busy old town and sighed. Noone seems to notice her but me.

While walking between the lantern-lighted houses, I am thrown into darkness as there is a sudden power cut. Tourists in the streets or in the shops stop with puzzle and amusement, but they quickly continue with shopping when candles are lit. Dim light does not seem to discourage any shoppers, I recognize.

Our shopping lasts from afternoon until late in the evening and … continues the following morning. Once I have bought a novel from an old-house styled bookstore, I find a café on the pavement to sit down, ordering a cold drink and reading my book in the fine and cool morning. From time to time, I look up and see tourists going shopping. Like my friends, they keep bargaining, buying and then burden themselves with souvenirs. However, they all look content with the items they have bought.

Although I hesitate to leave Hoi An, the bus still comes and brings me home to my rainy Hue. It’s still raining now while I’m typing this. I don’t think I miss Hoi An but I will come go back there with some dear friends of mine when spring comes.

Please find more photos of Hoi An here.