For all of you shoppers...

I had tacos and quesadillas at La Cantina Central last night. Every night is a party in Saigon it seems -- so many people out, so many people from all over the world. They were so so so delicious. I met Alice there and she knows a good taco, too, because she lived in New York City for nine years and anyone who lives in NYC for nine years knows good everything~

But what this short post is going to be about is not tacos, but Luis Vuitton, Coach, Prada, and some other top name brands I cannot remember this early in the morning. Katherine's sister, who has been here all week, is an accountant with a really good job (remember she's been working in Australia for the past three months). She's tired of her suits and her wardrobe, so one of her goals this week was to "get a new one" -- as in wardrobe. She knows exactly what she needs and wants and in just five days she's got it. Before going out last night, right before she goes to the airport, she shows me everything she acquired this week and it amazes and inspires me: All of the above-mentioned bags. Of course their authenticity is suspect, but if they are copies, they are amazing copies. Like the one little Coach bag I got in China; I'm still using it and no one can tell the difference if it is fake. I got it for $6. Carolyn shows me her Vuitton and tells me that a real Vuitton like that would sell for $3,000. She bought it for $30 at the famous tourist market by the hotel where we stayed when we first arrived and where I had my dizzy spell from jet lag. Her other bags are all so classy...

And then, on Monday, she found a tailor who could make suits for her by her departure hour, which was last night. She had chosen the patterns, walked across the street to the same market with her tailor and chosen wool/cashmere blends and picked up four new suits (with skirts and pants), two dresses and four blouses just this afternoon, tailored perfectly to fit her. Each suit also cost about $30; she says they are better quality than the one she just bought for $300 in Australia.

So, guess what is on my agenda now?