After a hot 2.5hr train and a 45min taxi ride, we arrived in Hoi An hungover and ready for a nap. Yet glad we did this particular train ride as it was the most scenic, with views of the coastal beaches from the mountain-hugging train track. It as pretty darn cool, even if the train floor was full of lychee peels and the A/C wasn't working to well. Even though its more expensive than the bus, it was most definitely the right choice to move around by train. So much more fun.
Hoi An is a small, walkable easy-going town along the coast. Most people never make it to the water. They come for one reason only: Tailoring. This is basically gringo-tailor city. You can get just about anything, even custom-made leather shoes. All made to order in 12 to 24 hours. Initially, neither of us were sure if we wanted to partake in this SE Asia tourist craze. But after seeing block after block of tailor shops, we decided we couldn't leave Hoi An without giving it a try for ourselves.
So, we followed suit and spent our days shopping, Lee looking for high thread count plaids for his Wrangler shirt copies and me for black suit-coat material. The process was fun, but a bit unnerving. Just choosing a shop can make a person crazy. Particularly because they all offer the same things, only in different materials. So you never know if you're getting "the good stuff." In the end, we went with the friendliest staff and feel-good materials. I still wonder if we were "had."
Although the process is relatively simple (Initial pass by of shop to feel it out, measuring and ordering, 1st fitting, 2nd fitting, final acceptance and purchase), it was difficult for me and not just a little time consuming. I'd always dreamed of designing my own dress, but when it came right down to it, I froze, suddenly unable to imagine the dress color, style, lining and fabric on me. What if I didn't like it? So I played it safe and ordered a simple black suit jacket with green lining (next time bright purple) and Lee got 3 western shirts made. The shirts came out nicely, but I do wonder if the stock Wrangler shirts we get from Tractor Supply are all-in-all better quality and they're only five or six dollars more. Or maybe, it's just a self doubt issue. You're always more critical of something that you've had a hand in.
We stayed at Thanh Van Hotel (B, good location, nice bathrooms and swimming pool, good internet, moldy smelling rooms and an occasional cockroach).
Hoi An is a small, walkable easy-going town along the coast. Most people never make it to the water. They come for one reason only: Tailoring. This is basically gringo-tailor city. You can get just about anything, even custom-made leather shoes. All made to order in 12 to 24 hours. Initially, neither of us were sure if we wanted to partake in this SE Asia tourist craze. But after seeing block after block of tailor shops, we decided we couldn't leave Hoi An without giving it a try for ourselves.
So, we followed suit and spent our days shopping, Lee looking for high thread count plaids for his Wrangler shirt copies and me for black suit-coat material. The process was fun, but a bit unnerving. Just choosing a shop can make a person crazy. Particularly because they all offer the same things, only in different materials. So you never know if you're getting "the good stuff." In the end, we went with the friendliest staff and feel-good materials. I still wonder if we were "had."
Although the process is relatively simple (Initial pass by of shop to feel it out, measuring and ordering, 1st fitting, 2nd fitting, final acceptance and purchase), it was difficult for me and not just a little time consuming. I'd always dreamed of designing my own dress, but when it came right down to it, I froze, suddenly unable to imagine the dress color, style, lining and fabric on me. What if I didn't like it? So I played it safe and ordered a simple black suit jacket with green lining (next time bright purple) and Lee got 3 western shirts made. The shirts came out nicely, but I do wonder if the stock Wrangler shirts we get from Tractor Supply are all-in-all better quality and they're only five or six dollars more. Or maybe, it's just a self doubt issue. You're always more critical of something that you've had a hand in.
We stayed at Thanh Van Hotel (B, good location, nice bathrooms and swimming pool, good internet, moldy smelling rooms and an occasional cockroach).
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