Hoi An

"You have to go to Hoi An - fabulous shopping" I was told. Off my list straight away then. Shona had different ideas and the next thing is we are in Hoi An for three nights.

Famous for tailors who will either russle you up a first class suit in two days or swindle you, for silk and for shoe making, we did not want a suit, shoe or silk. Or so I thought. Apparently that feeling of my life not being absolutely complete was to do with absence of silk. Who would have thought it? But when Shona says we need silk, it takes a braver man than me to argue.

And so it was also with the vendors in the street market as Shona's no nonsense "its x dong or nothing" approach left a series of shopkeepers looking glum whether or not they had made a sale.

Another thing I did not appreciate was how much I needed new polo shirts. Again Shona was on hand to open my eyes and to haggle a good price.

The kids tried their hand at bargaining too - Murray, very serious "yes, I will accept that price" and Erica secured a great handmade bag for under a dollar. Everyone was smiling.

As one of the silk negotiations was under way I took a photograph of the silks hanging on the wall and showed it to one of the shop girls who was sitting outside. She said to take her picture. She was very pretty. I agreed and then showed her the result. I said if you give me your email I can send you the picture. She burst out laughing and then told her shop keeper friends who all fell about in hysterics. Eventually one pointed up at the shop' postal address and said "here is email address". I got it. Too poor to have computer or email. We slackened off the bargaining a bit after that.

We now have a small happy budha statue, a bead bracelet, silk scarves and table runner, numerous polo shirts, some bowls and spoons and a Manchester United top. Thank heavens we were not there longer.

Keith "call me the wallet"

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