Countryside school and Dalat

It has been ages since my last update. I have been super busy!

Continuing on with Thursday night, Mrs. Sno came to the guesthouse to take Riley and I dancing. However, first we had to stop at a photography studio. Why? Mrs.Sno wanted professional photos with her new friends. None of us were prepared! We were soaking wet from the rain on the way there, we looked tired and sweaty. Mrs. Sno wouldn't have no for an answer. While we waited in the studio for the photographer to prepare, we were looking through professional wedding albums that displayed his work. I now understood why there were so many prom dress shops everywhere in Vietnam. They are for weddings and wedding photos. Mrs. Sno called a random guy over and made him get in our photographs as well. It was actually quite fun! We were all just striking stupid poses. The pictures are hilarious. The photographers daughter was in the 9th grade and came to chat with us. She spoke perfect english! She never learned it in school. She tught herself! It sounded like she had an American accent she was so good! Her parents can speak little or no english.

On Friday, there was a little birthday party for one  of the workers at New World. There was so much delicious food!! There were fresh rice paper springrolls, pancake (pronounced bank sale in Vietnamese), pork, chom choms and birthday cake! Then Mrs. Sno took Riley and I to the vegetarian restaurant again! While we were there we taught the boy english as he was our waiter again. He took notes and expressed how happy he was that we were teaching him. Mrs. Sno ordered another feast (pumpkin flower, tofu, rice and veggies, a tofu soup..it never ended). She invited a friend of hers who was a teacher out in the countryside. We knew we were taking a trip to the country with her but it turned out we were also going to visit her friend's classroom. He was a really nice man and spoke english pretty well. After we ate I hopped on his motorbike with him and Mrs. Sno with Riley. The countryside was beautiful as always. Coconut and Banana trees zipped past us. I marveled at the pretty little concrete houses nestled in the jungles with their colours of aqua, pink and purples.

The school was in a small concrete building, It was only one room with the back wall open for the traffic and the public to look in. These children had benches for tables and little plastic stools for seats. There was a chalkboard in the front. This was completely different to New World. These children couldn't afford to go to New World. The teacher explained that they know how to read and write but never get the chance to practice with a native speaker. They were a young bunch. Riley and I taught them easy things. Twinkle Twinkle little star and Head Shoulders Knees and Toes were among the topics. We also went over animals and the noises they make, It was completely enjoyable and a great experience.I wish we would have gone there earlier and more!

When I got back to My Tho I finally figured out my life for the weekend. I decided to go to the mountain town of Dalat, which is French inspired from when the French used to occupy it. I went to Ho Chi Minh City with the others on Friday night and early that morning I boarded a sleeper bus that would drive me 7 hours to Dalat. Asians are so tiny! I am thin and I could barely fit in the little beds. The bus was just basically made of bunk beds. The scenery was absolutely amazing! As we got closer to Dalat we drove by rice fields, French homes, bulls in the middle of the road and rolling green mountains!

Dalat was absolutely gorgeous. It was a mixture of French and Vietnamese buildings. There was a radio tower shaped like the Eifel Tower. It was dotted with beautiful flowers and lakes. The temperature was much cooler than the Mekong Delta. Therefore, the Vietnamese wore knitted hats and beanies, scarfs and jackets. Basically a tad warmer than they usually dress. The street stalls were ones that cooked corn on the cob and pancakes over an open fire. It was a very warm and welcoming place. I stayed in a beautiful villa just outside the town called the YK Home Villa. It was so nice and the area was scenic and peaceful.. Just what I wanted. The receptionist was so friendly and spoke good english. Her father didn't but he was the owner. When I arrived she said: " I am sorry. We have a problem with the room you booked. So the problem is you have to stay in the VIP room."  That was a nice problem! I had a massive room with a really comfortable bed and a massive white, fluffy doona. I had a living room that opened out onto a massive balcony overlooking the country. It was amazing! That night I ate at a really delicious place called the Chocolate Cafe and had amazing lemongrass and chilli tofu and garlic eggplant and green onion.

...to be continued

beautiful food, strangers and company

First of all I would like to clear up a few things that have been written previously and that I have recieved a few questions about.

A cafe sooda (if that's how you spell it, but that's how it is pronounced) is basically an iced coffee. The coffee in Vietnam is made very strong so you only need a little bit in your cup. You pour it over ice, followed by condensed milk and sugar. It is very delicious because of its sweetness and I try to forget how bad for you it probably is.

Some of you are wondering how my luggage was opened after my purse containing my luggage key was stolen. When we got to Phan Thiet, the receptionist at the resort asked for my passport. I explained what happened and that my passport was stuck inside my locked luggage. After she finally understood through the language barrier she radioed to a man that would try to break the lock. Eventually it took 3 men and several different types of tools including the hammer to break the lock.

Soup and tea are very popular in Vietnam for all meals. Why do they serve such hot stuff when you are already sweating your bum off? It was explained to me that eating hot liquids in the heat actually helps to cool your body down. Strangely enough, despite sweating my face off into the soups and teas, I do feel refreshed after I eat them.

Today I looked up Ho Chi Minh City out of curiosity in my Lonely Planet guide book. Most destinations in the book include dangers to look out for. Dangers listed in Ho Chi Minh:

" HCMC is the place to really keep your wits about you. Don't have anything dangling from your body that you are not ready to part with, including bags and jewellery, which might tempt a robber. Keep an eye out for the Saigon Cowboys- drive by thieves on motorbikes- they specialise in snatching handbags and cameras from tourists on foot in the city." (Lonely Planet, Vietnam, p. 482).

I laughed to myself after reading this. I was a victim of the Saigon Cowboys. I wish I would have read this earlier. HCMC is listed as the city with the highest crime. Another reason I dislike it.


Back in My Tho:


Last night we went to Galaxy again to say goodbye to Frank and Dave. Everyone was off their face except for me. It was one of my last times teaching today and I didn't want to miss that. One of the British sisters was only 17 and she was so drunk that I had to follow her stubbling body outside to make sure nothing would happene to her (don't worry there were security everywhere so I felt safe being outside at night). She began spilling her life story out to me. It turns out she is the youngest in the house and she has been trying to act older which is why she drank so much. She also wants to go to medical school but in Dubai, if you don't recieve a certain test score, then you cannot go. She was freaking out about that. Medicine is all she wants to do. She doesn't know anything else. She decided to volunteer in Vietnam so that she would win a scholarship to help pay for school. She sounded like a younger version of me. I told her that if I don't get my grauate skilled visa in Australia then I am at loss as to what to do as well. Suddenly, my annoyance with her for getting sick subsided. I felt bad for orignally thinking she was quiet and snobby. You can't judge a book by its cover. I do hope that she remembered the advice that I gave her though. At that time I didn't mind being the oldest person in the house. 

This morning it was sad saying goodbye to Dave and Frank. They are like my younger brothers. Then I was on my way to teach. In the cab I felt a bit sad. In the classroom, I got to teach alot and felt sad again. Then Mrs. Sno took Riley and I to the amazing vegetarian restaurant again. She ordered us a feast: spring rolls (two types), soup, tofu, pumpkin flowers.

Our waiter was a younger boy who spoke a decent amount of English. Riley offered to help teach him. He said he loves English and needs to learn for America. Mrs. Sno explained to us that his family was divorced. He lives with a friend and works at the restaurant to pay rent. He goes to school, works and tries to teach himself english. He cannot afford to go to the English centre that we teach at. The entire time she was explaining this to us I was staring at this boy. He had gentle eyes and a warm smile. He seemed so happy to practice his little english with us. He was one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. Something strange was happenig in this moment as Mrs. Sno was explaining his life: I was crying. Tears were streaming down my eyes. I tried to pretend to wipe away sweat. Riley took his contact details and arranged to help him learn english. She asked when he was available. He was trying to explain but then he grabbed a notebook and wrote: morning next to a drawing of the sun and evening next to a drawing of the moon and a question mark in the middle. We exlained to him that the middle was the afternoon. He was very pleased to know this. When he went to get even more plates of food for us, Mrs. Sno asked if I was alright and I started bawling and explained that I didn't know what got over me. He was beautiful, his story was touching and I felt in that moment why I was really here. I am here to help. These people have dreams and don't have the privileges that the Westerners have and if teaching them English makes them happy then I want to help them. Riley and Mrs. Sno agreed and said I just experienced a beautiful moment.

My time here in My Tho is precious. I will never have another chance to really experience the personal things that I have the opportunity to experience in My Tho.

After lunch we went to sit in the gardens next door and ordered cool drinks. Mrs. Sno laughed about all of our mosquito bites and explained: " The only way to not have mosquito bite is to tell the mosquito you love it like this: I love you mosquito. If you say you hate mosquito it will bite you."

She also explained that she loves to smile and that she always wakes up with a smile on her face. It is the best way to live she explained. I love her. She reminds me of my grandma. She never lets us pay either. She always sneaks over to the counter and pays before we can offer. Sneaky lady! I want to buy her something nice before I leave.

20/07/2011 Ho Chi Minh Bag Snatching, Phan Thiet Recovery and My Tho Appreciation

The long weekend turned into an “unexpected chaotic adventure” (that’s my positive description for it).

On Friday, Leigh packed her things and left My Tho with us. Nick got us all a taxi to Ho Chi Minh City. We stayed in Madame Cucs in the backpacker district. A girl from Riley’s home town who had been volunteering up north met with us. She was quite interesting and I think that Riley was pretty embarrassed by her. She was really negative about everything, one of those people who suck the life out of you. We ordered western food. Most of us got pizza. It wasn’t the best but it would do.

On Saturday morning I went to the Cu Chi tunnels with the boys: Dave, Frank and Will. It was an hour and a half drive away from Ho Chi Minh. Our tour guide was hilarious! He was trying so hard to make jokes and that’s what made him funny. He also called attention to me and another American and said that the Vietnamese do not like to talk about the war. They believe in forgiving and forgetting. They have forgiven the Americans a long time ago and don’t like bringing things up from the past. “My generation was not a part of the war. It is not our problem. We only talk about future, “ he said. He said that Vietnam is very happy to have us and to spread the word that we are always welcome.

As we drove through Cu Chi, I took notice of all of the perfect rows of trees that had ribbons around their tiny trunks. They were fairly new, maybe 30 years old at most. I thought of the war. They must have been replanted after the devastation. My suspicions were confirmed when we learned about the history of Cu Chi. It is an agricultural town and the gateway to the city. During the war, the enemy tried very hard to seize Cu Chi. So the people of Cu Chi built bombs and traps to fight back and to protect their land. They built a series of underground tunnels up to 10 metres and lived under there. We got to go in the tunnels and they were so small! They have made the original ones slightly bigger so the tourists could fit through but they were so hot and small anyway! I don’t know how people survived in them. It was an incredible experience. I couldn’t make it through the entire thing. It is rare for people to do so. I think I only made it 25 metres which is where the first exit is.

When we got back to Ho Chi Minh, I ate lunch with the boys. They went to take naps and I went to a spa and had the best massage with oatmeal, turmeric and fruit scrub. It was only $5 and best spa experience I have had. Then I found Riley and her friend in a tattoo shop and visited them for a little bit. I bought some souvenirs and went back to the hotel to get ready.

We all went out to the Street Pub and met with one of the coordinators Charlie and his friend. His friend and I had a great conversation and he said that the hardest part about traveling is not being able to share your experiences with everyone and you have to bite your tongue. I said I understood that all too well and get myself into trouble because I ignore that rule. Then we went to a bar called Acopolypse Now. The latter was so much fun. I didn’t drink but it was so much fun dancing with everyone. They played great music. Half of the bar was filled with westerners and the other half Vietnamese. Everyone danced together and had a glorious time. Riley was a pimpette that night but unfortunately met a man who would later stalk her with continuous phone calls and texts the next day. We said goodbye to Leigh who was off to continue her journey around Vietnam with her boyfriend. Riley and I took a taxi back to the hotel. We got out of the taxi and lingered in front of the hotel and thought about getting some sort of food because we had to leave on the train for Phan Thiet in a few hours. We starting walking and I just got done saying what a great night it was when all of a sudden I felt a snap and a tug and in a spit second I saw my purse fly through the air. I was in shock and it took a few seconds to realise what had happened. Two men on a motorbike have driven past and stole my bag! I was confused! How did they do it?! I had the strap around my body and the bag was in front of me and I was holding it. I later figured out with the boys that they must have cut the strap and the speed of the motorbike made it impossible to hold on to. They also broke and most likely took my favourite necklace as well.

Locals came out of their apartments and motorbikes stopped. A nice boy and his friends who spoke good English stayed with us until we calmed down. We tried to stop the police several times as they drove past but no one would stop. Everyone apologised. A man said to ask the hotel to call the police. It could have been worse. My purse only held an old cell phone, a small camera that started acting strange anyway and 500,000 dong ($25). The lady at the hotel said that the police would not come at that hour and said she would call in the morning. We were out of luck. Riley and I were leaving in about 3 hours.

In the room, I was trying to rest and not be upset. I was freaking myself out because my luggage key and the address of my hotel were in my purse. What if they tried to come back! The images of my purse being tugged and flying away from me kept repeating in my head. We shouldn’t have been outside that long at that late! If we would have just walked into the hotel right after we got dropped off we would have been fine. Then I heard a creepy noise that sounded as if someone was in the room. I freaked out and jumped into Riley’s bed. She heard it too and said that she was really creeped out. She went outside to check for anything and we slept with the lights on. I could not wait to be gone from Ho Chi Minh City in a few hours.

The taxi came around 6am and took us to the train station. I was wearing the same outfit as the night before because I could not get into my luggage because it was locked. The train ride helped me to feel better. It was so beautiful and scenic. We passed endless fields of green, rice paddies, rivers, streams, mountains, flowers, dragon fruit plantations. Big brown bulls were standing in the green fields watching the train go by. Locals and farmers would stand like statues in the fields and watch the train go by. It was really surreal.

We arrived in Phan Thiet around 1130 am. The crowd outside the train station was a little too overwhelming, especially for me after my experience. We got in the taxi and he drove through a town similar to My Tho and rounded a corner of a hill. We got out first glimpse of the turquoise sea. Finally, we pulled up in front of the resort that we found on agoda.com and payed $25 a piece for. The place was unbelievable! It was nicer than any of the resorts that I stayed at in Bali. It was on the beach, had a lovely swimming pool, little villas and bungalow, gardens and tiki huts on the beach. Our room had the most comfortable bed that I had slept in in Vietnam. It was soft, the pillows were firm and soft and the sheets were crisp and white. It was amazing! I went for a swim in the ocean and Riley and I relaxed by the pool after our delicious lunch of seafood and spring rolls. For dinner, we ate at a place across the street and it was all very much homemade and delicious. We had the genius idea to get a massage after dinner. It was a glorious night. I slept really well that night. I tried to get up for the sunrise but my amazing bed won that morning. I went for a walk on the beach and then Riley and I indulged in our free breakfast buffet. This place was unreal! Then I got a 75 minute massage and swam and sat on the beach while Riley was getting a 2 hour manicure and massage. Around 2 pm we left our little piece of heaven and boarded the train back to Ho Chi Minh.

Nick had contacted Jesse and asked her to help me with filing a police report for my travel insurance. We had to go during office hours and unfortunately the train didn’t make it back in time. Riley was so amazing and said that she would stay in Ho Chi Minh another night with me so that I could feel better about what happened and know that I have done everything that I possibly could. I really owe her for being so awesome. She let me use her phone so much as well.

So we stayed at a different Madame Cucs which ended up being right next to the police station. We ate the best dinner I have had yet in Vietnam down the street: Tofu with lemongrass and rice and garlic eggplant and green beans. We ended up randomly seeing Charlie along the way and he joined us. He knew all about my bag and said he would ask a few Vietnamese friends of his who worked at pawn shops if anyone turned in my items. I bought a few books at dinner. They were photocopied originals at $3 a piece. I didn’t try to haggle much. I could only imagine how much work it is to photocopy the books.

We said goodbye to Charlie, indulged in real New Zealand Natural Ice Cream that we bought at the convenient store (ice cream in My Tho is not so nice and lacking creaminess). The next morning we met with Jesse who took us to the police station. She had to translate everything I wrote in writing as well. Thank goodness she was there. We sat in a room that had a jail cell as well. The men in it smiled and waved at us. The police man in the room was sitting on a chair with his legs up on another, and snoozing while we were writing our report. It was like a scene from a movie. Jesse had to pick up my paperwork the next day and will give it to me when I am in Ho Chi Minh again. I thanked her so much. This ordeal would certainly make for an interesting story.

Riley and I wrote and read travel books in a café across the street and drank western lattes until our taxi arrived. Our taxi picked us up from Madame Cucs around 1 pm and we were on our way out of the crazy traffic past greener scenery with less noise. When we drove into My Tho, I felt so happy or possibly relieved. We drove by the familiar markets and street stalls. When we arrived at the guesthouse, Mrs. Chin came to greet us. She gave me a big hug and said that she was so sorry about my bag. She said to be careful in Ho Chi Minh and said sorry again.

Mrs. Chin offered to help me buy a new cheap phone. I told her that I would go to the ATM first. As I walked there, I passed little boys who yelled: “Hello, whatchur name!” I walked past the bar and got the usual whistles, stares and hellos. The women smiled and waved to me. It was good to be “home”. As I crossed the street I held my bag very tight. I still couldn’t help being bothered by an occasional off stare of a man on a motorbike.

When I got back to the guesthouse, Mrs. Chin told me to hop on her motorbike and she took me to one of the many cell phone stores in My Tho. She negotiated with the man and ended up getting me a deal on an older Nokia. It was so old that when it was turned on the date said : 01/01/2005. Over all it only cost me $15 for a new sim card and phone. Then Mrs. Chin turned to me and said: “You give me 15,000 dong”. I was confused. What for? Was it for taking me here? Was Mrs. Chin trying to swindle me! Who can I trust anymore! That amount of money was only about 60 cents but at the time of fresh wounds I was a bit alarmed. She pointed to my wallet and repeated herself. So I gave her the money and I hopped back on her bike, very confused. As we walked back into the house, she went to her purse and handed me 15,000 dong. She pointed to her phone and said: “No money. You give money. I give money,” she laughed. Oh, she borrowed money off of me! I felt like an idiot for even thinking that the sweetest woman in the world would steal from me! I guess that’s what happens when you have been burned.

Riley and I had to teach that night. We waited to meet the new volunteers who were on their way back from building. They included: two English sisters from Dubai and a boy from Ireland. Then we were on our way. 

I was walking with my backpack strapped in front of me instead of on my back. I received even more stares and laughter than usual by the locals but I was not taking any chances. We walked past the grocery store where the best looking Vietnamese man was present. He is a security guard and he always winks at me. We stopped at the bakery and bought a croissant and continued on our way. We walked past the pork bun stands. We walked past countless hellos. We walked past women wearing rice hats and they peddled along on their bike. We walked past numerous makeshift stands and blankets that sold durian (the worst smelling and tasting fruit ever but these people love it!). We walked past the handicapped selling their lottery tickets. We passed the street cart that sold pet gold fish. We passed the activity centre that had plenty of people doing aerobics to loud music in the parking lot next to a group practicing martial arts. Then we were finally at New World.

The staff at New World kept coming up to me and told me that they were sorry for my loss this weekend. Miss Moon gave me a sympathetic look and apologized for what happened. I told her that it was alright and that it happens sometimes. She told me that it happens every day in Ho Chi Minh City and that it is not safe. She said that once and a while the boys will come from Ho Chi Minh on motorbike and come to My Tho. It doesn’t happen a lot but it has happened. That was not good to know. She apologised again and said that Vietnamese people do not like when this happens because they are very happy to have tourists and visitors to their country. They don’t want to treat them bad or scare them away. I told her that I believed her. More people came up to me to apologise for how I was treated in Ho Chi Minh. Word travels fast in My Tho!

My first class that evening was very good. I got to take over and teach myself. The students have an examination on Saturday and I asked them numerous questions in order for them to practice their English. My second class was a group of students who I have taught before. I also got to take over the lesson. This lesson was right up my alley: environmental issues. In the beginning I explained that I would like to work for a non-profit environmental organisation. I asked them what they already knew about issues and the causes. They were pretty advanced. Then I had to read them a passage about the Kirrabati Islands sinking due to global warming and rising sea levels. The Kirrabiti people could not help the island because they are poor and the problem is being caused by industrial pollution in other countries. Questions were asked to the students about how they would solve and fix the problems. One of the girls asked me: “If I wrote you a letter, to your organisation of the environment, what would you do to help me?” I was impressed that she asked that and I explained what I would do: fundraising, awareness campaigns, etc. It was her turn to look impressed. They were all very involved in the topic and in that moment I really enjoyed being a teacher and having students look up to me.

I left the classroom high on life. Riley and I ate dinner with Miss Moon. She took us for rice soup. We were walking along the street with her and then we turned down a random alley. There were tables set up there and that was the restaurant that she decided to take us to. The food was amazing. The rice soup was really nice, especially with banana leaves, banana tree stems and chilli in it. This is what I really appreciate in Vietnam. The best food will be in the dodgiest looking restaurant. The best café sooda will be in someone’s home with a sign out front that says “café”.

This morning Riley and I went to teach at the school as well. It was so hot today: thirty five degrees Celsius. We took a cab and our cab driver was blasting his music! I looked around at the bustling morning traffic and people setting up their carts and shops for the day. Riley and I taught together and the first class was amazing. The students had a really good teacher and he has them ask us more questions. Then Riley mentioned she played the guitar and the teacher went to get his guitar. Riley played and sang a few songs. She was excellent! The kids loved it. They made me sing and I felt embarrassed because I don’t have the best voice in the world. They loved it anyway. I taught them a few tap steps.

On our break, Riley went across the street and had café sooda at a café or a person’s home. It looked more like a person’s home. They were so friendly there and everyone inside were always smiling. One man knew English a little and helped us to order a second round. We were seated at the usual plastic kid’s table on tiny benches and we were facing the traffic. I enjoyed people watching. I stared at the men across the street just sitting on their motorbikes underneath the shade. I watched the traditional ladies walk with their traditional pales balanced on both sides of them and hanging from a stick. I felt so happy. I am so lucky to be in My Tho. I love it here. It is such a beautiful town.

Riley and I taught another class which also went well and we taught the class tongue twisters that would help them with practicing their pronunciation. We went to lunch at the vegetarian restaurant near the pagoda with the same girl who took us to get our nails done a few weeks back. I feel bad. I forget her name and I feel like we have known her too long now to ask. She mentioned that she heard that vegetables are good for you but she is unsure. The Vietnamese haven’t really caught on how good and important they are for you. Some dishes will be really starchy with none at all. I reassured her that they are excellent and explained their benefits. She once again expressed how happy she is to have us as friends and to practice English with us. She also explained how great it is that we have volunteered at New World. I really feel like we are making a difference in the students’ lives. They know how to read and write well but they don’t have many people to practice their speaking with. That’s why it is good for them to talk to the volunteers. There are no westerners in My Tho except for us and a teacher or two.

I love My Tho and the past 24 hours here and the weekend away have really made me appreciate it and I am very thankful for the experiences and the people that it put in my life. Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow and I can definitely say that My Tho has a special place in my heart.

15/07/2011 Friendship

On Thursday night we went out to karoke for Leigh's last night in My Tho. Except the cab didn't take us to karoke. It took us to a bar called "Friendship".  We decided what the hell and walked in. None of us were dressed or prepared for what we saw. As soon as we walked in security escorted us to a table upstairs and before you knew it a bottle of whiskey (which I happily passed on) and glasses were put in front of us. Fruit trays were put in front of us. Soon we were surrounded by two waiters and heaps of security. They were lighting people's ciggarettes. They were pouring drinks. Crazy techno music was blaring. We looked to the stage in the middle of the club downstairs and there were two dancers dressed as slutty air pilots. They had on blue pilot hats, a half blue top and a tiny skirt that they had to keep pulling  down from exposing their black undies. They danced ridiculously! It was a combination of dancing like people who didn't know how to dance, humping and trying unsuccessfully to be sexy. When they were done astonishing us, break dancers took over the stage. Then Mr. Lin arrived and it was our turn to take the stage as he forced us all to dance. Frank picked up a lovely lady who he ran away from. When we asked him why he said he heard horror stories about picking up ladies in these countries. Later he was out on the dance floor dancing with her again and they started kissing. Eventually one of her friends came on stage and told Frank she was going too far and that she was a prostitute. Poor Frank was horrified! Later, the same girl was really drunk and was dancing like a crazy (comb comb ding ding= vietnamese word). Dave and Will hopped on stage and began mocking her every dance move. Will had a really hard time mocking her infamous boob shake. The security loved it and gave Dave their hat. The whole bar was laughing hysterically. It was quite good. Oh the clubs here in My Tho. Always an interesting night I must say.

This morning I taught at the school and I got to take over the class for a bit which was really fun and the class was really good for how old they were. I'd say they were the ages 5 -7. we learned about the weather and north, south, east and west.

After class, Miss Moon took us out for a night lunch. It was at this place with beautiful gardens and waterfalls. We had more of the fish spring rolls.

Tonight, all of the volunteers and myself are heading into Ho Chi Minh City  for two days and then Riley and I are going to the beaches of Phan Thiet for another two days.

Now I must answer all of my emails from students who have emailed me saying "Hey Lady...." and numerous questions to practice english.

14/07/2011 Bikes, Wild Nights and Rice

I spent quite alot of time on Tuesday at the jazz cafe, writing and reading. Then in the evening Mr. Lin came by  the guesthouse to take me to buy a bicycle. I bought a nice used one that is a pinkish colour. It took a few wobbly minutes and a push from Mr. Lin but soon I was riding a bicycle again. I haven't been on one (except indoor stationary bikes) since I was little and was convinced I forgot how to ride one. It was scary though. He rode along side me on his motor bike and we wouild both on the highway. In Vietnam it is normal for regular bicycles to be on the road, the middle of the rode, with the motorbikes. You have to have a thick skin and not freak out at the constant usual beeping horns or the motorbikes that zip past and around you. Soon we were at the night markets where Nick and the other volunteers were at. We ate dinner and then went to the jazz bar to play cards. Nick rode my bike home and I was the passenger on the back of it.

The next morning I decided to set off on an adventure on my bike. I rode past the pogada and said hello to the giant Budda. I continued on and went down numerous side streets. At one point I had created my own parade. A bunch of children on their bikes began to follow me. When I got back into My Tho, I was a bit lost and rode around for a while. It turned out that I rode past the guesthouse several times. I can't recognise it without the Pha ladies.

Yes, tragic news! The Pha ladies, or the noodle cart ladies, that are always outside of our guesthouse and have 40 cent soup..and rescued us from being locked in our house last week, are gone! They haven't been in front of our house for several days now! We are quite worried about them.

I was so hot when I got back from my bike ride. The rest of the day was spent on the internet planning the next weekend trip and inside the aircon watching sex and the city with the girls.

Everyone went to get pork and rice for dinner but I went to get vegetarian soup. It was so nice. The ladies put the fan right in front of my face and I just smiled and thought about how nice it is to do things on your own sometimes. If I followed everyone else all of the time then I would never get to have the amazing experiences that I have. If i ate with the others I would just be eating rice and the can of tuna that I brought along instead of the delicious soup I was eating. I think about it sometimes and see how easy it is for others to just wait around or just follow other people. How is that living though. In life, if we step out of our comfort zone and take the reigns, amazing things are bond to happen. I am so happy that I am independent and force myself to do things on my own, especially this trip. Don't get me wrong it's nice to be with people as well but again, there needs to be balance.

I was quite overheated that night as I taught. It was a combination of heat exhaustion and unexpected sunburn. Nevertheless, it was another great class. I had an older class. Somehow we got on the subject of talents and one of the boys sang "I'm Yours-Jason Mraz" and it sent chills down my spine he was that good. He named so many instruments he could play as well. Yet, he doesn't want to pursue that talent.

That night, we all decided to go out the Galaxy. It was the French boys last night and it suddenly turned into a rage fest. We went to the supermarket and stocked up on pre drinks. A bottle of vodka and two bottles of gin, and two bottles of pepsi and two bottles of orange juice = $15 total. An amount that I accidently spent on a phone number when I was trying to buy a phone card that should have costed me $2.50. It's hard when everyone only speaks Vietnamese sometimes! I have a very expensive phone number.

We went back the guesthouse and played card games. All of us volunteers were there, Nick, Mr. Lin, a new teacher who is Vietnamese but grew up in California, Bob the builder and Jeremy. Oh it was a ridiculous night. Considering we all haven't drank in ages we all got quite tipsy quite quickly. Bob the builder was running around laughing and being his smiley self. Mr. Lin was riding his motorbike around in the house. Will was dancing on the table wearing an apron. Then we went out the a club called Galaxy. For a Tuesday night it was quite crowded. We all got on the stage and started dancing. The bouncers were ridiculously friendly and were trying to dance with the girls and were asking us for kisses which we politely ignored. They eventually danced with us too. Someone ordered shots of whiskey. Bad idea. The pretty French boys got the idea that it was the last night so they were going to pursue us. Alex, tried very hard with me and I said no numerous times. I wasn't stupid. Will became MC Will and took over the microphone and was screaming "all the europeans raise your hands" "the Aussies raise your hands" "All the the americans with confused nationalities aka Lindsay and Leigh raise your hands" ( Leigh is American but lives in London and I am American and live in Australia) and he just went crazy screaming into that thing. It was hilarious. Jeremy was at a table surrounded by Vietnamese women, exchanging numbers. Hmmm. Nick's shirt was covered in drinks. When we got back to the house, the French boys were still trying very hard to pursue Leigh and I. Unfortunately for them, they didn't win. I passed out asleep, as Alex was running around naked through the house. Glad I missed that but the poor Aussie boys didn't.

The next day was a rough one. I remembered why I don't drink anymore as I was stuck in bed dieing. The boys didn't go to building. The girls didn't teach. It rained alot. I was glad for that because I felt bad missing a day in My Tho. However, the night before was so epic that it was worth feeling like death all day.

This morning I felt heaps better and went on another bike ride. I went past the pogada and keep going straight for a long time. Eventually i was riding through little villages and really green and pretty scenery. I thought to myself how amazing it would be if I saw a rice paddy. Two minutes later I rode past one. It was amazing. The green field was shimmering in the sun as women with rice hats were going about their daily picking. I kept riding on with the biggest smile on my face as I heard "Hello! Hello!" in the background.

The Mekong Tour 09/07/2011- 10/07/2011

Mr. Lin came to pick us up at 8am on Saturday. We took a taxi to the dock at the river and boarded the boat that would take us to a few islands along the Mekong. Our guide was a cheeky fellow. He was a bit of a comedian, a magician and a singer. The islands were very nice. We walked through jungles filled with stalls that sold hand crafted bamboo trinkets. Some of the items were beautiful and I wished I brought enough money with me to purchase more. One of the islands was known for its honey and we had a drink that consisted of delicious honey straight from the beehive, bee pollen, tea and lime. It was quite delicious. Then we got to hold a snake. That was quite interesting for all of us. The snake liked to turn its head toward ours. That was the point when everyone would freak out.

We continued on to the next island where the “coconut monk” lived. After the Vietnam war, he built a gorgeous temple on this island with lovely gardens and crocodiles. He isn’t with us anymore but on a wall covered with pictures and facts about him I took a liking to one particular photo. Under it read the caption: The coconut monk used to make mice and cats play together to prove that it is possible for enemies to settle their differences. We fed the crocodiles and climbed over log bridges. Then we relaxed and I sipped on a coconut. Then we were off to another island.

At this island we got on a smaller row boat. A Vietnamese woman wearing a rice hat was rowing in the back. We went through a small canal, covered by jungle plants. It was so surreal. I felt like I was walking into a dream or a travel documentary. I was in the boat with the boys and we were all wearing rice hats. We all agreed that yes we were truly in Vietnam now. I couldn’t stop imagining soldiers running through the canals during the war. Many died during the war in the Mekong river region. I shuddered at the thought and kept enjoying the beauty instead.

Eventually the boat stopped and we got off at a little restaurant and ate fresh fruit. Then we went to a coconut candy factory and that coconut candy was so delicious, especially because it was still warm. Then we had an amazing lunch which consisted of giant prawns, spring rolls, rice rolls with mint and other fresh greens and Elephant Ear fish. It was quite delicious. The boys went to watch a snake being killed and drank its blood and ate its heart while it was still beating. This was a gross tradition that I didn’t want to have any part in trying. After, Mr. Lin suggested that we should all nap on the hammocks that were hanging around the area. It was the greatest idea I ever heard. I chose a hammock over by a stream. It was so green and peaceful and I fell into a deep sleep. I was eventually awakened by the others and it was time to continue our journey.

We boarded another boat and then we were greeted by several Vietnamese men at the dock..and motorbikes. We were about to embark on an hour and a half journey to our overnight house. I got on the bike with Mr. Lin and we began our journey. The scenery was beautiful. Everything was lush and green! There were lovely rice paddies everywhere! Mr. Lin pointed them out and I said that I wished I had a bicycle and I could ride past the paddies. He said he will take me for a used bike that I can sell back when I leave.  We went over a bridge over the river which was quite wide and there were coconut trees everywhere. He said this island had the largest population of coconut trees. I felt so alive on that bike. The wind wipped past me and I couldn’t stop smiling at the traditional Vietnamese lives that we drove past. It was beautiful. The only downside was that your bum really hurt after a while.

After a break and witnessing a man grab a chicken and chuck it in his bag, probably for dinner, we continued on through a smaller dirt road patch. We eventually ended up to a bungalow type structure on the water. It was lovely. We were shown our rooms which didn’t have closed in windows or screens but luckily we had mosquito nets. Mr. Lin told us to hurry up and meet him at the dock for swimming.

We got to the dock and looked at the murky brown and muddy water. One by one we were brave enough to get in. The water was nice but the mud that your feet touched felt so foreign and gorss at first. Everyone shrieked including the boys. You just sank in the mushy and gooey mud. Eventually it got better and we had a good time. We covered our faces with the black mud. I had a hilarious photo taken by Mr. Lin. We swam and raced a bit. Then as we were swimming back to the dock, a fishing boat went past us. The dock didn’t have a ladder so it was interesting for us to get back on it. The boys had to lift me up after the makeshift wire ladder broke.

After showering, we enjoyed a dinner that was similar to the one we had at lunch. There were some special vegetarian dishes brought out for me as well. I did try snake. It was quite chewy and gross. I am not sure if that breaks vegetarian rules but when else would I get to try eating cobra. After dinner we played a card game. Then we went to our rooms and fought the bugs off of our beds. It was a very difficult hour trying to tuck in the mosquito net and spray every hole with bug spray in the dark. I had a decent sleep despite the heat, the dog that never stopped barking and the rooster that sounded like it was dieing.

The next morning we had breakfast and then continued on to another boat. We went past the floating markets and then we went to a woman’s home where she made rice sheets. We got to try making the rice sheets. Again, this was a bamboo home and the floors were dirt. Then we went to another place where they made popped rice. After we went to the oldest house in the Mekong and it was preserved by the government. The furniture and the house must have been worth heaps. It was beautiful. We had a fruit break there. Then we hopped on another boat and headed home to My Tho on the motorbikes. We kept missing the rain showers that the sky promised and we were quite fortunate with that.

The trip was an amazing experience. I am so glad that I am experiencing the local life. Another great thing is that Mr. Lin took us to places that many tourists didn’t know about which was also quite good.

**

Later after dieing in the guesthouse of heat exhaustion because the power was out Riley, Leigh and I went to the park by the lake where New World held English Sundays once a month. The students came and it was a great way to play games to practice their English and win prizes. Afterwards, Miss Moon, Anthony (the green goop boy), Jeremy (the NZ teacher that the boys teased us about) joined us for milk tea in a really cool café overlooking the lake. We sat on the 4^th floor. Jeremy opened up a bit more and Miss Moon was lovely as usual.

Nick came down from Ho Chi Minh to stay with us for a few days and went for dinner at the night markets with us. On the walk there we witnessed a horrific motorbike accident that happened right in front of us. The bikes rolled on top of people. Yet, miraculously no one was hurt except for a few bruises and scrapes. We couldn’t get over it. The people involved looked pretty shaken. It was raining and they were driving too fast.

At dinner I ordered a plate of salt and pepper prawns and seafood vermecilli. Something like that in Australia would have costed me well over $30. Here it cost me $3.

This morning I taught with Riley and Ron, another Australian teacher told me that the children have it so well in this country. He said to watch how much their parents obsess over them. He said it was nothing like Cambodia which was the opposite. I taught a young glass today. The kids were only 4 and 5. They were so cute! There was a little girl in pig tails with a cute little sundress on. She had a cute headband on with a bow and we all stared at her in amazement for how sweet she was!

Mrs. Sno took me and the girls to lunch at the vegetarian restaurant. She ordered us a feast: springrolls, pumpkin flowers, yumcha chicken, soup with tofu and veggies and a pineapple smoothie. We were so full afterwards. Then she broke down and told us that she eats here all of the time because she wants to lose weight. She said her husband told her she was fat. How horrid! She was not at all! We all told her she was beautiful! She appreciated to comment and took us for more drinks at a restaurant with gardens next door.  She told us that she went to Sydney for 2 months to study child safety but none of the rules in Australia apply here. She explained that she feels frustrated because when she hears of a child having a hard time she cannot do a thing because the laws are different here. She wished there was more that she could do. I knew right then that working for a non-profit and humanitarian aid are definitely in the cards for me. I admire this women. She has such a caring heart and once again she covered the bill for us which was too generous. I understand that Asian women are particularly small and that they also cover themselves so much because being pale is attractive here. However, it still made me said that Mrs. Sno’s husband made her feel so sad and hungry. I told her again that I thought she was lovely and she was so happy. Then she made plans to take us dancing tomorrow.

08/07/2011 Building

The rest of Thursday was pretty chill. I hung out at the jazz café with the girls to use the WIFI and then we came home to nap. That night we went out to eat with some of the boys for their last night. They really wanted steak and eggs. We went to the place and I just indulged in eggs. It was kind of gross. We all walked to the jazz café and I stopped at a street stand to get a delicious tofu kebab. At the jazz restaurant we enjoyed pretty good yogurt milkshakes and pineapple juice. I decided that night that I wanted to go to the building site the next day. I didn’t do much on my day off and didn’t like just sitting around in a foreign country. So I told the boys I would be joining them.

In the morning I let Mrs. Chin (I don’t know if that is the proper way to spell it but that’s how it sounds), the housekeeper, that I was building with the boys and she made me her delicious egg sandwhich and café sooda for breakfast. I don’t know what she does to those eggs but they are always so amazing. I hopped in the taxi with the boys and we drove a few minutes out of My Tho city, past markets covered in fruit baskets and seafood. Then we stopped along a stream and a pathway and walked down the pathway through jungle from there. We passed a few homes, some nice and some complete shacks. Then we arrived to the building site where a two room brick home was standing, almost finished. The boys who have been here for a while told me that this is the finished product after 3 weeks. One pointed to the bamboo hut-like home next door and said that is what the family used to live in. We walked around to the side of the house and put our bags down on a bed with a canopy above it. There was a mirror and a drawer under the canopy as well. I looked at the children’s toys and clothes that were lying around the area. The boys confirmed my suspicion that this is where the children have always slept and will sleep until the house is finished.

I should explain that the government has a list of poor people who do not live in proper homes. The list is a lottery and then when it is time and there is enough money available a house is built for the next family and I-to-I helps with this. The volunteer team works with a man with the English name of  “Bob the Builder”. He is a funny man, constantly smiling. He knows not one word of English. He was so happy I was there. He kept smiling and pointing for pictures. You kind of have to communicate with him by using hand gestures. It’s pretty funny.

I unfortunately didn’t get as muddy as I thought I would have but I did help tile the floor inside the house. It was so hot. I was probably dripping so much sweat that it would push the mud off of me anyway. Eventually, the first fruit break came. We had dragon fruit and my new favourite fruit: a small, round, spikey, pink which when cracked open housed a white fruit that literally tastes like candy. I keep forgetting what they are called. They are definitely not found in Australia or the U.S.  Along with the fruit came the children. I have heard many stories about these kids from the boys. They described the smallest child as the devil child. I soon found out why.

The kids were nice. They were also playing with the neighbour’s kids. Their father helped us build while his wife washed clothes in the stream behind the house. The neighbours sat on lawn chairs in front of the house and watched us build. There were dogs running around but they were too scared to come over for us to pet them. Random chickens kept walking around the site. After a few more sweaty hours, it was time for us to go on break.

We had a two hour break at a temple near the site. Mrs. Chin brought us lunch. I got a special vegetarian tofu and shrimp noodle dish with dragon fruit (another amazing fruit in this country). After, I had a nice nap in a hammock near a pretty garden. When break was up, we continued to work. I ended up learning Vietnamese by the little girls. The one knew English very well and pointed to the trees, dirt, rocks, spiders and pretty much everything and taught me what the words were. I really don’t remember. The “devil child” started climbing on my back like a monkey and Dave came to the rescue and asked if I wanted the child on or off of me. I asked him to kindly remove the child. Then the little girl who was teaching me Vietnamese grabbed my hand and led me down the sidewalk into more jungle and then around the corner was her house.

It was your standard supersized bamboo hut. It had fairly decent furniture, was quite open and it had dirt floors. The girl led me past a man who I assumed was her father. He was snoozing in the hammock. She took me to her room which was a separate hut outside. Her bed was made of bamboo and a mosquito net hung above it. She showed me her holy oil that she sleeps with and began pointing around and teaching me more words. She pointed to the dirt on the ground and said the name again. Incredible. Here I was being taught Vietnamese by a child who was living in not the best conditions. Yet she continued to smile and laugh. All of the children were so happy that I was in their company. Eventually, after yelling the name of a giant pot into the pot several times, I headed back to the building site. Soon, it was time to head home. One of the little girls made me a flower bracelet which was quickly broken by devil child. Then Bob the builder gave me a piece of fruit wrapped up nice in a plastic bag and thanked me with his smile. The entire day was so rewarding and an amazing experience.

When I got back I quickly showered to go teaching. The boys were going to come along and try teaching as well. They wanted pork and rice but I decided to get some vegetarian food near the school so I told them to meet me there. When I walked outside, Mr. Lin, the man who would take us on the Mekong tour the coming weekend was there. At first I was hot and in a hurry for food so I didn’t feel like talking. He was trying to ask me if I knew how to ride a motorbike. I said no but I have been the passenger of one. I don’t think he understood. Anyway he asked when I was teaching and what I had for dinner. I explained that I was on my way for vegetarian food and that I was meeting the boys and teaching after. He offered to drive me there. So I hopped on his motorbike. When we got there, the vegetarian place was closed. It was only open in the noon. So he took me to some other place I knew. I don’t know what came over me but the soup was amazing (veggies and several types of tofu) so he asked if I wanted another bowl and he ordered another. He told me that if I ever needed any help ever or wanted to go on a day trip he would gladly take me. After, he dropped me off at the school.

I took over teaching a bit in class that night. The teacher wasn’t really practicing English with the kids and Dave was watching my class so I wanted to do something other than have the kids ask millions of questions. So I reviewed some exercises with them and of course they still loved us.

After, we all went to the jazz café and sat on the top floor. The river looked so pretty at night. We all played card games and said goodbye to Olly and Johnny (two of the guys who were leaving us the next day). I went to bed completely excited for the Mekong tour we would go on the next day.

07/07/11 My Tho so far

This morning I decided to try my luck and go for a run in the humid heat. I went along the river which was nice. However, i was more famous than usual. Shorts and tanks are not a common sight in Vietnam and I certainly don't see others running. Naturally, everyone smiled and waved and laughed as I ran by. On my way back I stopped at the bakery and then to my horror the guesthouse was locked! and I didn't have a key and to my knowledge no one was home. So, thank goodness i had money on me and now I am in the internet cafe because what else is there to do.

There is much to update on. Karoke on Monday night was hilarious! Our housekeeper loved singing the Vietnamese songs and everyone got into it.

I had an amazing Tuesday. That morning I taught at New World with Leigh. We taught with the teacher from New Zealand: Jeremy. He is quite goodlooking and ripped. The boys in the house have seen him before and like to tease all of us about him. He is pretty awkward though. When you say hello to him he looks down or is just antisocial in general. He also is a complicated teacher. Some of the activities were difficult and even Leigh and I had trouble helping the kids understand them.

When class was over a boy with the english name of Anthony followed us across the street to the bakery. He told us what things were and then started following us home. He is moving to Texas next year and that is why he is learning english. He is 17 but looks about 13. He told us about the different religions and customs in vietnam. Then he took us to his home in an alley near our house and his mother was outside and said hello. Then he insisted that Leigh and I should try this odd jello drink.It was floating dark green blocks of a jello-like substance sitting in a bucket on the street. The women, in their rice hats, scooped nup some and put it in a glass of ice, followed by coconut milk and sugar. It was really awful!We think that the jello was avocado but we can't be sure. We drank most of it to be polite because Anthony bought it for us. gross.

After, we went back to the guesthouse to get Riley and then went to the Progoda. It is lovely with a massive Budda. The decor was beautiful! Beautiful pillars and gold. Lovely buddist statues and flowers. Insense and dragon fruit offerings. A nice monk came over and showed me how to pray. Sometimes, I wonder if I was meant to be Buddist. It is beautiful. Outside there was a lovely garden. Pictures and words cannot describe how nice it was. After, we walked over to the vegetarian restaurant that Mrs. Sno took me to and ordered a tofu feast and the pumpkin flowers of course.

Next we went back to New World and one of the new girls that worked there (I forget her Vietnamese name) took us toget our nails done. We got a lovely manicure and pedicure for the total price of $3. Then she insisted on a massage. As we walked there she spoke of her excitement to be friends with us and because she used to live in Ho Chi  Minh city she has no friends here yet. She spoke of her dream to come to Australia and said that she must pass the English test in order to go. She said her friends told her it would be impossible. I told her she can do anything she puts her mind to and ignore her friends. She asked if she could speak english to us and if she could email us when we leave. We agreed to help her. Then we got our $6 full body massage done.

Then it was time to teach again. I was in my first class by myself. The teacher had the class bombard me with questions. Everything ranged from where are you from to are you married. Tough politcal and religious questions were asked too which I felt uncomfortable answering because I didn't know the proper way to do so. The students asked me to sing. I said I would break the windows with my voice so they made me dance instead. Then I asked the other students about their talents and each time a student performed the teacher laughed and said they will break the window. At the end of class, a student wanted a photo with me. It was a pretty  cool class.Then the director Miss Moon took us for vegetarian soup and paid for dinner. She is such a lovely and nice lady!

On our walk home we met a man sitting on his stoop that just moved back here from Canada so he could get in touch with his heritage. He told us he would help us whenever we needed.

Yesterday, I was supposed to teach at 930 but the class was having an exam. Instead, the school let me use their internet for free. Then Riley joined me and Miss Moon took us for vegetarian lunch across the street. There were so many different yumchas and tofus on those dishes. It was so good. The she drove us on her motorbike to another temple in town. She dropped me off first and went back from Riley. I stood in the temple at the end of what was a mass. One by one the monks walked out and gave me a nod. The temple was beautiful but not as beautiful as the Progada. Miss Moon arrived and taught us how to pray for a happy and successful life.

After she drove us to the hospital wear she said we would get a better massage for 30,000 ( almost 2 dollars) by a chiropractor. However, the wait was too long so we will go another day. She also introdauced me to the I.T. guy at New World who goes to the gym and loves fitness. He will teach me yoga and let me use the gym for 100,000 which is under 10 dollars for the month. I will definitely do that!

At class last night I was bombarded with questions again. A little girl asked a crazy question " Have you ever been in love with someone but they didn't know or didn't love you back?" Heavy. Someone else asked about the economy in America and if it is still bad. The when I got home I went out to dinner with the other volunteers at the night market. Our waitress was crazy and only knew vietnamese. she wasn't giving everyone the right dishes and trying to sort out how to pay at the end was interesting. She was yelling alot but thankfully another waitress knew english and helped us. Later Frank was joking about it and said : " thats beef thats beef the hooker said". oh man that was funny. She actually followed us out and was still yelling. Then we went to the jazz cafe. there was more controversy and confusion when they were trying to explain that they didn't have things we ordered. It was quite an interesting night.

I love My Tho. Everyone is so nice and accomodating and I love having a few local friends already. It makes you feel comfortable and welcome. I love meeting everyone. I also love that there are no tourists and that I am lucky to live in this little city so I can experience the true Vietnamese life. I love walking down the street and the little kids will say hello to you. and yesterday an adorable little boy said "Hello how are you?" and I said good and how are you? and he said " fine thank you". Ah so cute!

Well I think it is time now to see if my door is unlocked. Pictures on this blog will come soon!

Current Music: Arrows- Children Collide

04/07/11 My Tho, Mekong Delta

Yesterday we woke up around 10 and walked to a bakery to get breakfast and left the hotel in HCMC and drove to our new destination. I sat in the back of the car with Jesse our coordinator. She is so adorable. She speaks very good english. She said she wanted to be an english teacher but the little kids were too crazy for her so she decided to be a coordinator but her real dream is to become a fashion designer. She said her parents told her that dream cannot be achieved. I told her to ignore that and to keep sketching and see what happens. She laughed and thanked me alot. She also explained to me that in Vietnam it is very important for the women to get married and stay married. No one can have sex before marriage. If they do it is very frowned upon and those women will always be alone. If a man divorces a woman and the woman has a child, they will most likely be alone. They are also frowned upon. AND if you don't find a husband by the age of 35 then people thing something is wrong with you and you live alone as well. So ladies, pressure is on in Vietnam!! Next time all of you single ladies complain, think of the real pressures that people experience.

Then Jesse also talked about meeting French people and suddenly the car ride turned into a French lesson for her. We drove by beautiful green rice paddies and over brown rivers filled with junks and fishermen. Soon we were in our new home for the month.

The guesthouse is very tall and my room is on the top floor, sharing with the two girls, also teachers, Riley and Leigh. It was so hot walking to the top. Thank goodness for aircon in the room. Then Nick (another coordinator also an adorable Vietnamese) and Jesse took us for a walk through the town and over the bridge, past countless motorbikes and bicycles. Rice hats were worn by everyone we saw. We walked along the water and some boys were jumping off the boats for a swim in the water. We continued to walk past the old buildings and into a restaurant where Nick took us for pancakes. These pancakes looked like omellettes and were filled with prawns and mushrooms and bean sprouts. They were massive! Then the lady brought out a plate of lettuce  and another plate of rice sheets followed by a bowl of fish sauce. Jesse explained how to eat the pancake. Basically you take pieces of the pancake and the leaves and roll them up in the rice sheet like a spring roll and then dip into the fish sauce. It is so delcious! It only cost 2 dollars for that huge meal. Then the woman took us in the back and let us see how they make them.

Afterwards, Nick and Jesse took us to the market. This was unbelievable. I realised then that I am definately in a third world country..

The market was full of things I have never seen before. The people were more traditional and wore their rice hats. It looked as though everything that I saw popped out of a National Geographic magazine. Here I was, standing amongst it all. There were baskets upon baskets of seafood and dried seafood, some of which I have never seen before. Everytime I stopped to take a photo I always got in the way of a bicycle or motorbike. There were foods and smells that were completely foreign. The colours were amazing. Everyone looked as us as if we were from another planet. They would shout ‘hello’, wave or just stare at us. Obviously, tourists are not common here.

Nick took us inside the market during the rain and Jesse helped me to haggle for some clothes for teaching. All of the Vietnamese women that I met told me that I was very beautiful. Afterwards we walked back to the guesthouse in the cool rain which felt quite nice. We lounged around downstairs. Some of the Aussie boys played a game of soccer with this weird tube shaped item with a feather on the end that Nick bought them. I eventually went upstairs to unpack and organise my life a bit. There are no closets or drawers so it was more like organising my suitcase. I talked to Jesse more and she laughed at my clothes and said I am so fashionable. Then I took a nice shower to cool off.

For dinner, Jesse and Nick took us (the new volunteers) and the current volunteers (mostly British and French boys) to a nice restaurant where apparently there are weddings. It was a really nice part of town. The waiters wore white dress shirts and black dress pants and were on roller skates! Jesse and Nicke ordered a few dishes for us. There was one beef dish which I obviously ignored. The rest were seafood. Seafood springrolls, squid, seafood rice and veggies with fried noodles. It was absolutely delicious! The entire meal cost us 3 dollars each. After, Jesse asked to roller skate with the waiter and they had a good time doing that. On the way back to the guesthouse, we all stopped at the local bar to watch the big tennis match. Then I went back and finally got a decent sleep.

****

This morning I woke up and went downstairs for the housekeeper’s famous breakfast that I heard so much about: Egg sandwich with lettuce, tomato and hot sauce. Delicious. The coffee was delicious too! Then I got ready for school. Mrs. Snow, an English teacher, came to take me to the school. She handed me a helmet and we hopped on her motorbike. She assured me she was a safe driver. We drove to the school and then told the director that I need to rest before I start. So we hopped on her motorbike again and she took me for a drive through My Tho and showed me the Pogada (two giant Buddas with a big garden). Nearby was a beautiful vegetarian restaurant. It was set outside under a hut like roof with beautiful flowers. There was a monk and nun sitting nearby us. Mrs. Snow explained that all proceeds from the restaurant go to the orphanage nearby. Amazing. We didn’t have time for a full meal but she ordered us pineapple juice and pumpkin flowers. The pumpkin flowers were amazing! They were fried and you dipped them I a sweet chilli sauce. Mrs. Snow paid and refused to let me give her anything. She said she would make me her own pumpkin flowers and that she would take me back to this restaurant soon. She also invited me to church with her. She was self-conscious of her English but I told her that it was excellent. She told me I was very beautiful and if I lived in Vietnam I would be Miss Vietnam. She drove me back to the English school told me she will see me soon. She was the sweetest lady I have ever met.

Now it was time to teach! I followed Leigh (my roomie) into the classroom and together we taught the class. The teacher handed us the book and told us to review the questions she pointed to. So we sat in two circles. I was intimidated at first but once I got started asking questions like ‘ what do you have for breakfast’ and ‘what do you do on weekends’ it got better. Some students were really shy and took a while to answer and you had to really push them. Others were very eager and knew very good English. Eventually they asked heaps of questions about me and asked about my studies. I felt like it was so complicated to explain to them but they loved it! The teacher did too and wrote new words (most Aussie slang that I have grown used to in Australia that I don’t even think about now) like sunnies and prawn. They were loving it. Before you knew it the bell was ringing. First class success.

Leigh and I walked back to the guesthouse. Then we chatted with Riley and the three of us walked outside to the street stall practically on our door step and had delicious udon noodle soup and bread for under 50 cents.

Then Leigh and I went to the bar down the road to use the internet. I drank a café sooda (very sweet ice coffee) and happily read that I got three distinctions (D) and one C from the past semester and have a GPA of 5.7. All the hard work paid off! So happy.

I went to the next class which was at 430 but it was only 15 minutes long. There was an Australian man teaching it. The little kids were so adorable! They were playing head shoulders knees and toes and singing "ten little indians". Then we walked back and I went to the ATM and had to cross the street of never ending motorbikes. A nice policeman saw my foreign shock and helped escort me across the street and back. Then I went to the supermarket which was pretty crazy inside. I managed to find some things to give me protein and nutrition here and there (Vietnam is not big on vegetarians) and then joined the others for their street meal of pork and rice. I had canned tuna and rice. Of course the British guys had a field day with that but whatever. People are very ignorant towards vegetarianism sometimes and thats why I enjoy being one. It is a huge challenge and when people are ignorant it edges me on more.

As I am writing this in the WIFI bar people keep walking past and wave to me. A little boy, probably the owner's, keeps running over to say hello. I am sipping on my cafe sooda and loving life.Tonight we are all going to karoke.  Very excited!