Hoi An Lamp trade

 I think everyone's favourite thing in Hoi An is the silk lanterns. Strung around the town some so faded and dusty others shining bright in many colours.

We stop for our traditional bucket of mojito by the river.

Then on to meet the company we met at the HCM trade fair to order lamps.

Again Mark's mathamatic brain ticks over calculating and impresses Miss Trinh. Next we need to work out shipping and this is where it all gets complicated. Although they are not heavy we need about 20 boxes to pack them in.

 So after lantern negotiations I notice an ear cleaner across the road. I have had a blocked left ear for days now from swimming and I have always been fascinated by the  traditional ear cleaners you see working on the side of the road and in markets throughout Asia. but have never had the courage to try it. Today is the day.

So he starts with a fluffy duster twirling in my ear. Then he starts with the long stick things and a miners light on his head. He scrapes and digs but it is very gentle. He shows me a wad of wax from one ear but didn't get to see in major discoveries.
I think he is finished then he proceeds to shave my forehead and all over my face. Next he pushes my head back on the cahair and with some drops in my eyes he starts to clean the inner rims of mt eyes. This I didn't like. then he rubs my face all over wit a moist towellette.

While this is all happening Mark gets the full treatment plus a haircut.

These are the ear instuments kept in a Heinikin  beer can.