Dalat 1996. 5.30
After took some photo for old French colonial building, saw the menu out of entrance of cellar, it’s no expense as it look like. The soft-drink cost USD2 plus 20%tax and service.
So backed here after supper in near by market. The waitress was a little bit surprise when saw me in (6:30pm) but sooner unfold a smile and lead me to the poolroom.
She hard at spoke English and I completely illiterated on French. So when saw a glass of wine with a dish of potato-chip-maker flower sent on, I was confuse, cause the “Tony Water” which I order was mis-listen as “Jonney? walker”(one kind of wine). She was fluster and going to take it back, And I knew it'll bring trouble to her so I said: “that’s OK. I like this too.” ……
it's still and no other customer here due to early time, So she come with me and we play the billiards after I finished writing the postcard.
after while, she show me the photo of her 2 children, girl 5 years old and boy 7 years old. she said she was a French teacher in daytime and invited me to her school, But I have to leave at next early morning……
the cellar was gradually into crowd, I drink to the lees and leave USD15 to the waitress ( USD12 plus20%) ,out of the cellar and dithery walk to lakeside or back to guesthouse.
No longer the waitress ran to me, this time turn to me been fluster, Surmise she coming to return the TINY tips.
“Sorry, I'm only a poor student…”i said.
But she still insist hand it to me and ran back.
Slow open my hand: there were USD12 / VND6000 / a receipt printed--USD2 plus 20%……
That night , I sitting in the guesthouse’s yard till midnight, everything seem quite and peaceful under the full moon. and i know there's a lot things i still need to learn...
Cindy
