Apparently Hoi An has something like 200 silk shops, making custom clothes! It's quite astonishing that they can all stay in business. On this trip I've been looking for a white silk blouse at a resonable price, not so far. I was told, wait til Hoi An. One I can wear as an overblouse too.
So I found a big store with several branches and ordered two silk blouses. I could not find a pattern anywhere close to what I want anywhere, but the young lady who took me in hand - Chau - just sat down and drew what I wanted. She then measured me and said - come back tomorrow afternoon for a fitting.
I ordered a short sleeved, Vneck blouse, with 4 rows of stop stitching round collar and down front openings, plain buttons, unlined. They will make it in white and black for $30 each.
At the fitting, the white one needs a few adjustments, the black is good. Come back later that day to collect them!
When measuring me, I ask that the V be not too deep as I have all this scarring from my breast cancer radiation. Also the right sleeve must be loose to accommodate my arm with lyphedema. She is sypathetic. But she tentatively asks - can she ask me about my cancer, what kind, etc. As she measures and we talk, I discover she is single, 32, and has had a large cancer removed from her leg, has had 6 rounds of chemo, is tired, is wearing a wig, and devastated by it all. We have some tears and hugs. I give her my email and she can talk to me about it any time.
Chau has a PET scan scheduled soon. She wonders if Western medicine has anything better to track the success of the chemo. I tell her it's the best, but lots of radiation, so you don't want many of those. She is somewhat relieved.
When I return the second day, I have a card for her, also a little silver bracelet with a disk on it for long life. She will wear it and get well, and remember all the positive vibes I am sending to my new little sister. There is virtually no support for women here! I tell her to let her women friends help!
When I return later, Chau has left, but her friend also wants to confide in me about breast surgery, cancer, etc. She has a 3 year old daughter and would like another child, but worries about the cancer returning. She also has had a breast lump removed. She tells me about Chau's eperience, not wanting to tell anyone, not wanting to see anyone, typical of Vietnamese women and devastating for an as yet unmarried young woman. My heart goes out to them both.
But they are cheered and encouraged by my own story and strength and courage. They have both seen my scarred chest but my undaunted spirit, and this is important.
Wellspring, where are you for these women! Their heath system is woefully lacking here.
I pick up my blouses. They are lovely. A nice quality silk with a Chinese design that you can't see through. As I pay, a young Swedish man is collecting his two suits and shirts. He tell us custom suits like this would cost US$2000 in Sweden! No wonder he is smiling...
So I found a big store with several branches and ordered two silk blouses. I could not find a pattern anywhere close to what I want anywhere, but the young lady who took me in hand - Chau - just sat down and drew what I wanted. She then measured me and said - come back tomorrow afternoon for a fitting.
I ordered a short sleeved, Vneck blouse, with 4 rows of stop stitching round collar and down front openings, plain buttons, unlined. They will make it in white and black for $30 each.
At the fitting, the white one needs a few adjustments, the black is good. Come back later that day to collect them!
When measuring me, I ask that the V be not too deep as I have all this scarring from my breast cancer radiation. Also the right sleeve must be loose to accommodate my arm with lyphedema. She is sypathetic. But she tentatively asks - can she ask me about my cancer, what kind, etc. As she measures and we talk, I discover she is single, 32, and has had a large cancer removed from her leg, has had 6 rounds of chemo, is tired, is wearing a wig, and devastated by it all. We have some tears and hugs. I give her my email and she can talk to me about it any time.
Chau has a PET scan scheduled soon. She wonders if Western medicine has anything better to track the success of the chemo. I tell her it's the best, but lots of radiation, so you don't want many of those. She is somewhat relieved.
When I return the second day, I have a card for her, also a little silver bracelet with a disk on it for long life. She will wear it and get well, and remember all the positive vibes I am sending to my new little sister. There is virtually no support for women here! I tell her to let her women friends help!
When I return later, Chau has left, but her friend also wants to confide in me about breast surgery, cancer, etc. She has a 3 year old daughter and would like another child, but worries about the cancer returning. She also has had a breast lump removed. She tells me about Chau's eperience, not wanting to tell anyone, not wanting to see anyone, typical of Vietnamese women and devastating for an as yet unmarried young woman. My heart goes out to them both.
But they are cheered and encouraged by my own story and strength and courage. They have both seen my scarred chest but my undaunted spirit, and this is important.
Wellspring, where are you for these women! Their heath system is woefully lacking here.
I pick up my blouses. They are lovely. A nice quality silk with a Chinese design that you can't see through. As I pay, a young Swedish man is collecting his two suits and shirts. He tell us custom suits like this would cost US$2000 in Sweden! No wonder he is smiling...
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