Introductions

This is Anne's GrandmotherShe lives in a little village on the central coast of Vietnam that is surrounded by rice paddies and mountains Her teeth and mouth are stained red from chewing betel nut all day, a highly addictive appetite suppressant. The betel nut chew is made with betel leaves, lime paste, betel nut and tobacco, which is ground up together and placed next to the gums.This is what she uses to grind up her betel nut chew -  a hollowed out bullet and a paint can lid opener.This is her house where she lives with Anne's uncle, aunt and their two girls who care for her with such devotion and loving care, a touching example of family. Their daily routine consists of following her around and telling her it's too early to shut up the house and close all the doors and windows

Making sure she eats all her food and not feed it the cat or simply dumping it in the yard somewhere

And putting up her mosquito net every night

Even though Christmas was just another day in the village, being with grandmother was all the Christmas joy we needed