Snake Liquor

Eric came home this evening bearing gifts.  His 10th graders went on a field trip and returned back to school with welcoming gifts for both of us.  The first gift bag was for Eric and it contained a hand carved coconut with the image of the three wise monkey's.  Together the monkey's embody the proverbial principle to "see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil".  I loved it!  So, I couldn't wait to open my gifts.

Look closely!

My gifts were individually wrapped in a hand woven bamboo wine bag.  If truth be told, I would have been 100% content with the bag, but there were more gifts inside.  The first gift was wrapped in newspaper and was the larger of the two gifts.  Inside it contained a salad serving set made out of bamboo. Again, another thoughtful gift. You can image my excitement as I tore into the last gift wrapped in purple packaging.  I could feel that it was a small bottle filled with liquid so I immediately assume that it was perfume.  I was thinking to myself as I unwrapped the gift that it was refreshing to know that the 10th grade Vietnamese kids were so considerate and thoughtful!  Upon opening the gift, a small bottle filled with amber liquid sat in my hands.  It took me a few minutes for my brain to register that I was holding a small bottle filled with liquid and stuffed with a Cobra snake. Now  remember that there are three things that freak the beegeebies out of me: 1)snakes, 2)rats, and 3)bats.  I am holding a snake in my hands!



I gently set the bottle down on the table and considered the following. Why? What inspired the kids to buy this gift?  What is this?  What do I do with this? Does it contain medicinal powers? I was clueless so typed the name on the label into Google and found out that I received snake liquor, and I am supposed to drink this liquid.  I am thinking that I will save this bottle and auction it off to the highest bidder.  Any takers?