Photo by Patrick Vath

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Postcards and Stamps

Ho Chi Minh City.

My first day back in Vietnam after more than thirty years. A bus takes us to our hotel in the heart of the city. Our bus stops in front of the hotel in a city we have never seen before. A little girl, about eight years old, waits outside the bus for us. She is very cute. In English she tries to sell us postcards and used postage stamps in a book. We work at getting our bags inside and do not buy.

After checking in and putting our bags away we meet for a beer near the lobby. We all think that there is something special about the little salesgirl and if we run into her again we will have to buy.

Sure enough, she waits outside the hotel as we come back after dinner. She is such a great salesman. She uses the right words on all of us and we buy. I bought a stamp book. I still see it each day. It has no value but great meaning to me. What a wonderful little girl.

On my second trip I stayed at the same hotel. The little girl was not around to take my money. I kind of hoped she would be. Wherever she is I'm sure she is charming every one around her!