The Rich Grandma, or, How I Spent the Night in A Mansion

This weekend I am in Hai Phong helping to lead a seminar on public speaking for Vietnamese children. Last night we were scheduled to stay in a homestay in the city (Hai Phong is the fifth largest in Vietnam).

Ok, I thought. Homestay in Vietnam. This is going to be terrible.

I was so so wrong.

"My grandma is very rich." Our guide explained as we drove to Hai Phong. "I think you will be surprised."

OK, so maybe there will be Western toilets. I still wasn't expecting much. But then we turned the corner, and....

holy cow.

That picture is dark but the house was insane. 5 stories of pure opulence and tasteful beauty. 

As soon as we pulled up a woman ran to the gate exclaiming "Power is out! We so sorry!" It felt like the beginning of a scary movie. Except a comedic scary movie.

I really wouldn't have been surprised if Eddie Murphy had popped out

As soon as we walked in the door the power turned back on, which was great because the house was even more incredible in the light. There were two tea rooms, countless bedrooms, a study room with a Smart board, and a throne room. A THRONE ROOM.

thrones galore

high tea at midnight

5 floors up

Can I live here please

These pictures really don't do it justice, but the mansion was amazing. I've never seen anything like it in Vietnam OR America. And I will likely never sleep anywhere like that ever again.

The woman was vague about her occupation, but that might have just been the language barrier. From what I could gather, she used to teach high school physics, but now she's a business woman. I don't know if her heaps and heaps of money are from her or her husband. Either way, SHE HAS A FREAKING ELEVATOR IN HER HOUSE.

Unfortunately, I will not be sleeping in the mansion again tonight. I will be at a hotel where the summer camp is held. But the children are lovely and the teaching is fun. Wifi is spotty, but I'm sure the weekend in Haiphong will be wonderful.

Angela