I believe in the streets

The recent flurry of activity around the 'Is she or isn't she' weeping virgin of Saigon means the streets have been flooded with bauble sellers accosting the catholic crew for a religious dime or dollar. Almost a week has past since the first 'tears' were spotted by a lottery ticket seller. The believers still congregate in their hundreds to marvel at the concrete statue opposite the HSBC cash machine in central Saigon. Fortunately for the faithful, there are snack vendors aplenty on Nguyen Du street to sustain them throughout their vigil. The seller above normally flogs 80 chuoi nep nuong - rice wrapped bananas - and 20 bot ban - bean paste ball wrapped in sticky tapioca - a day around District 1 from her mobile stall. She tells me trade in her 2,000VD nibbles has been a wee brisker this past week. Praise be.

I've covered chuoi nep nuong before, so I won't gas. Just sit back and ogle. Bloody gorgeous, innit? Hell - why not download the large version and reset your computer wallpaper. Not big enough? Think you can take more? really? Then chuoi nep nuong gigantic is the one for you. Study it carefully. I swear the one bottom left is blubbering. More scenes from the stall here. For more on Weeping Mary, see week old on the spot reports from The Rice Bowl and No Star Where.

Comments

[OsloFoodie]

Gorgeous they are, Pieman. I read through some food blogs this morning but THIS is something that I would love for breakfast with tea.

[Lei]

Shoulda known you were going to be there doing anything but paying homage to the Virgin Mary. ;)

I wanted to go too but just to observe the crowd. May still do so tomorrow.

[SaigonOi]

Chuoi Nu*o*'ng should be eat with milky coconut

[Michelle]

You gotta be kidding me!!! It looks totally like birdpoop!!! Are these people friggin' out of their mind?...causing human stampede over birdpoop...geez. I love my country but I just can't stand this kind of shenanigan

[vunguyen]

Wow, You eat lots of things I havent eaten b4.

@Michelle: I dont get what you mean. Which one looks like birdpoop?

@pieman: I think the "Virgin Cry" thing is just so crazy, vietnamese (including me) is a nosy people^^. Some accident happens on the street and everyone stops to....look (yeah, look, not help)

Sigh

[Michelle]

Hi vunguyen,

I meant The Virgin Mary's tear looks totally like birdpoop. Definitely no complaint about the bananas :)

[pieman]

SaigoOi - I actually bought this with the coconut milk, but I'll confess that I was too impatient and nibbled the lot before I realised I hadn't opened the coconut milke bag..