Well, here we are at 40,000 feet, having just departed Osaka, Japan, on our way back to Ho Chi Minh City from Northern California. It’s been almost 11 months since Hai and I left his Saigon hometown to explore my home in Oakland, California. It was a wonderful time re-discovering the Bay Area and California together with Hai.
But, now the time is more than overdue to return to Saigon and get back to some of the world’s best food – our longtime favorite street vendors, and hopefully, some delicious new discoveries. It also will be great to reunite with Hai’s eleven siblings and some wonderful old friends across Vietnam.
Hai doing what he loves at Đông Hoa Xuân restaurant
And, oh yes, it’s also time to get back to work for Hai in Đông Hoa Xuân, his popular neighborhood restaurant (it’s been under the care of his siblings since our departure last year). And “back to work” for me, as well, eating and writing about eating here at Eating Saigon!
But, before we land and deplane in another 5 hours, I’ve been staring down at the clouds below, reflecting back on the truly amazing food adventure that Hai and I enjoyed in Oakland — working with Josephine.com to prepare and introduce some of Hai’s favorite Vietnamese dishes to our neighbors there.
I shared some photos of the extraordinary meals that Hai presented in our Oakland kitchen in my most recent post. But, an even more rewarding experience for both of us, was getting to know our wonderful new neighbors and enjoying their appreciation of Hai’s culinary passion.
So, here’s a heart-felt “thank you” from both Hai and I to our new friends back in Oakland, Berkeley, and Emeryville for the food adventures we all enjoyed together.
Our Josephine colleagues, Sika and Emily, enjoying one of Hai’s treats
Antonio, Yania, and Julian picking up their evening meals
Joe & Hai planning Hai’s next Vietnamese specialty
Shelley, loving her nails and Hai’s lunches!
Janna and Dave stopping by for a holiday Vietnamese dinner & a bit of cheer
Laurie “stealing a bite” in our kitchen!
“I never knew I liked catfish or pork stomach until Hai made it for us” ~Celeste
Lu, happy to have a “real” homemade Vietnamese dinner!
Debbie and Hai having fun with a coconut dessert!
PETER! We can’t find your photo … but we know you loved looking at the sunsets out our kitchen door almost as much as Hai’s cooking! 🙂
Rana and family on one of their regular “Hai-dinner” pickups
Of course, we will be returning to our California home to continue sharing wonderful Vietnam food adventures together with our neighbors there. But, while we’re away, I’ll continue to reflect fondly on the times and meals we’ve already enjoyed together. And, honestly, will think of our California neighbors as Hai and I roam the streets of Saigon in search of new recipes to bring back to the other side of the planet.