Old vs New

Vietnam has spent the last 2 weeks celebrating the Lunar New Year or Tet (as it is called in Vietnam).  There are many traditions and celebrations associated with this holiday that we are still learning, if not oblivious to.  On the last day of school, without any planning or previous arrangements, students gave both of us a special "cake" to be enjoyed on the eve of the New Year.  Unbeknown to one another, we both brought our cakes home to share with each other.  Being called "cake" is where the similarity ended.  At least they were both given with good intention and hope for "prosperity and luck in the new year!"

Adam's Traditional Tet Cake -- wrapped in Banana Leaves and weighing about 5 pounds.  What's inside?  Who knows!

Heidi's more "modern" Tet Cakes.  Wrapped in plastic with graphics and a fun name.  Each weighed .04 lb.

Adam digging into his cake.  Sticky rice filled with a preserved fish (think Tuna).  Only recently did we learn that we were supposed to sprinkle sugar on it.  Ah, our mistake!

Heidi digging into her treat -- fluffy white bread filled with "custard" -- aka, sweetened butter.