"You say...I only hear what I want to..."

Today was our last full day in Hue, before leaving for Quang Tri Provence tomorrow morning. We began our day the usual way, trying to decide what to have for breakfast, then stuffing ourselves and sat back for the day to begin. We did not truly realize what the morning was going to hold in store for us, until a SUV pulled up and out got a man from the US State Department. He had been in Quang Tri visiting with CPI and wanted to meet with our group to hear about what students are doing in terms of mine action. After a few questions about us...he went right into what his department does in terms of mine action. To make a long, upset-stomach-feeling story shorter, we had a rude and quick awakening of America at 8am in Vietnam. We were not at all pleased with the conversation and many had a tightness in their chests following the conversation with this official rep. Afterwards, having not expected this at all, we were floored and angry! What a strange way to begin our last hours in Hue and a crazy feeling in our political spirits of thoughts we have all the time in the States, but have put aside for a bit while being here.

The day was spent preparing for our going away party in the evening with all our partners we have worked with while in Hue. The group wrapped gifts, shopped in the market for flowers and decorated the roof of the hotel for the event.

The party was grand! At first a bit formal: Angie welcomed our guests, including the government HUFO partner who is responsible for supporting our group's presence this year in Vietnam. Her speech was given through interpretation, thanks to Nhi and stories of leaches and other crazy bugs had the crowd laughing. The director of HUFO spoke, as well as Martha from CPI.

This purpose of the formality of the party was for our group to be able to show our appreciation to the people we have worked with here in Hue and to HUFO who has supported our work here in Vietnam. The Vietnamese truly value positive relationships they make and I think that we were able to convey to them that we will hold the relationships we have have been a part of here in our memories of our experience in Vietnam.

After the formal gift giving and thank-yoga, we ate the wonderful food that the hotel prepared especially for the party. There was music and conversation. The student interpreters gave us gifts and their addresses to write to them. One of the students, Ngoc said to me, "It is amazing...when I look around the room I think of the first day we met. Look at all the friendships and sincere smiles now!" This was so sweet to hear and definitely true. We have made friends here and have appreciated working side by side with the Vietnamese people.

When the formal guests left we exchanged more gifts with the student interpreters and said our farewells, after sharing some G-Love music and a little dancing.

It is difficult to count this as a party without some sort of entertainment...so when it was just us on the roof of the hotel...a familiar thing happened. Angie put on music she could dance and lip-sink too. The selection was Lisa Lobe, and when Angie's mouth began to move to the words, the roof of the Hung Vuoung Inn transformed. The owner came out dancing with his crutches and Angie began..." You say...I only hear what I want to.." I think you know the rest.