Like finding Zuzu’s petals every day

Awoke this morning with the normal Friday mix of dehydration and inability to walk.

Thursday night is boys’ football and beers night.

Received a call to say that Martin’s family and friends – here on a memorial/tribute trip from Melbourne – were at The Cart already, so I winced down the stairs and we set off.

Nice people.  We chatted in the Cozy Room.  Touching only briefly on the loss of our mutual friend. We sweated.

It’s becoming very hot and humid.

They loitered before they ambled off together to the Temple of Literature.

I broke my diet with a Cart BLT and Café SUPA Da. Loan tried to hide behind the counter but I noticed her also breaking hers with a Tim Tam – a gift from our new Australian friends.

I finished up my breakfast and as ever the chat from Loan and sisters was loud and continuous.

As is my custom, whenever the laughter becomes overly raucous or I hear my name mentioned I ask: “What?  What?  What did they say?”

And then it’s politely explained to me.

This time I was told how Loan’s sister had been to the fortune-teller on our behalf.  Perfectly normal behaviour here.

And so, although none of us really believe it,  I had our future explained to me.

My birth date seemed to explain a lot.  I had to travel apparently.

“If you had stayed at home you would only have caused trouble,” my fiancé explained.

“We’re not rich now but we’ll get richer as we get older.”

We’ll be okay,” she added.

“We’re going to be very happy.”

Eyes met.  Smiles exchanged.

And at this point, I got all emotional.

I think I hid it well enough and anyway, I reasoned,  it was time to go back home and work.

I shuffled off not trusting myself to speak further or catch anyone else’s eye.

I rode my scooter through the narrow streets home – taking my usual diversions away from the busiest roads and instead zig zagging through the Old Quarter and around Truc Bach lake

These Hanoi emotions.  Emotions that I just don’t feel anywhere else.  Heartbreaking wonder.  Being forever humbled.  Finding myself on the verge of tears that I can’t quite explain.

So happy that there’s a tinge of sadness as each moment slips away.

And yet always feeling like the luckiest man alive.

Like finding Zuzu’s petals every day.

Just glorious.