After getting our food, we went up to the second floor, sat
down in a high-backed booth, and began eating. All of a sudden, out of nowhere,
a Santa-hatted, tan, smiling Vietnamese face literally popped up behind my head
and was coupled with a simultaneous (accented ) “Hello!” His crossed arms were
resting on the back of the high booth-bench and his chin was resting on top the
crossed arms. (Please create a mental picture!) It was the employee who had
taken our order. He proceeded to happily start chatting away and watching us
eat our entire meal. Gratefully, I wasn’t directly facing him, so I didn’t have
to compress my disbelieving-smile-that-this-was-actually-happening as much as
Sarah did. He couldn’t understand much of what we said, but was eager to
continue the conversation anyway. Example: At one point Sarah asked him if he
celebrated Christmas. His answer was, “My birthday is October 7th.”
Conversation ranged from his age (20), to where he learned English, to what he
was studying, to why I ordered the part of the chicken that I did (we think –
we’re still not exactly sure what he was saying).
And then all of a sudden he wasn’t there. His exit was as
abrupt as his entrance, suddenly dashing away.
When the REI board was here a few weeks ago, one of them
mentioned that they loved Vietnam because of all its surprises. This experience
definitely fell into that category. As we left the restaurant and let loose
previously stifled peals of laughter, I felt like the experience was one that
came from a movie. I wish I had a video or picture to share with you. But I
guess I’ll have to leave it up to your imaginations. We enjoyed our Christmas
Elf visit. 