As the world turns...

So we're back and the jet lag is beginning to wear off. I slept past 6:30am for the first time today since we've been back and I'm gradually grasping my bearings on where I am in the world. Though I've been spending most of my time the last few days trying to orient myself and have not officially begun to process any of what happened while I was on the other side of the world. I've been in too much shock of the cold and wet weather and the time change and the overwhelming bombardment of questions like "how was it?" and "what did you do?" I've only been able to unemotionally answer with amazings and greats and other such words that do nothing to explain our journey. I feel as though I can't answer either question without sitting down and having hours to describe and discuss. This weekend I attended a wedding where I knew virtually no one but the bride, groom and his mother's immediate family. I spent saturday and sunday meeting new people and being introduced with the phrase "she just got back from Vietnam" attached to my name as we usually do when meeting new people as to create instant subjects of conversation like "this is tom, he's a pediatrist and is origanally from South Dakota". Though my little tidbit of info was of great interest, I became frustrated with the difficulty it was to answer the canned questions that followed in the intended breif introduction period and resorted to shallow meaningless adjectives. I did have a moment of glory today when I was invited in to my brother's high school U.S. History class. I made a short powerpoint highlighting the three main organizations that focused the most directly with post war; Friendship Village, CPI and the Peace Village. His teacher was very interested and pulled his chair right up to the screen and asked a lot of questions. The students for the most part seemed interested and a couple asked questions that gave me the impression I had their attention. It was really cool to do and I was so glad to be able to tell people about my experiances and pass on vital information that may give them something to look into further or just the knowledge that our war there continues even after all these years. I thrived on his enthusiasm and was really excited that he would like me to come back for his class next fall. (Good advertising for break away too...aren't you proud Jill:))

So that's what I have to say on the note of returning. Welcome back gang, Miss you all! Happy to see all those that I missed from the other side of the world and kara, hope you savored every last bite of that lasanga, I got my brownie sunday mmmmm.

Cheers,
Ali

Sunday Adventures -- Part II

After this second ride, I was happy I had hopped on with the driver I did as the others were flying ahead of us while mine slowed down at bumps that could potentially send me flying and corners that at a moderate speed may have left me wishing I had knee pads to accompany my helmet. Though it was irronic I inevitablly picked the driver who was left in the dust as I often am in many aspects of my life, I was ok with it today being that I felt safe and only worried about how badly my legs were getting burnt and the severity of my butt falling asleep by the end of the day.
Our first stop after the beach was a japanese style foot bridge named Thanh Toan Covered Bridge with a Tile Roof. It was beautifully carved and when we got closer saw that the side benches were filled with lounging men and some children. One of the drivers took on the role of enthusiastic and knowlegable tourguide in which he told us that the bridge was well known for it's cool breeze within and in turn collect many werry folks needing a cool place to rest. We experianced this wonderfully 'cool' phenomenon for ourselves when we strolled over the bridge stopping in the middle for some photo ops, short fantastical conversation with some young men and a brief snack of vietnamese plums. We made our way to the other side of the bridge and discussed what the rest of our day would look like. After taking on last look at this amazing covered bridge and the lily pads beneath it, we got back into the saddle on our way to our next destination. As we made our way down the dirt road we followed an irrigation stream where at one point was covered with hundreds of ducks that had to have been trained, the way they were all in formation. It was incredible. Our next stop was the arena in which the king would pit an Eephant against a tiger within a huge brick arena. We walked around the other side which was a feat in itself with the crumbling wall on one side and pits looking down into the holding areas for the animals at lease ten feet down to the ground, the whole time being followed by children trying to sell us cold water and bracelets. Kara's driver took a picture of us from the otherside and when we saw it we thought it was pretty funny how far away we looked. We decended the steep brick stairs slowly and took off again. Around a few bends we came to an elephant monument where we took a couple pictures and found out that the tiger usually won in the battles between the two and that it was biased because the tiger was usually starved before the fight making it more agressive and sometimes leading to it's escape and the murder of whoever it encountered.
In the travels between this country side experiance and the next stop, we experianced the most amazing view I have yet encountered and fortunately or unfortunately the only picture I have is in my head. We creased a hill and before me was a clearning in the trees and houses and in the distance was monument after monument covering several rolling hills on a backdrop of hazy mountains. The site was one I don't want to forget.
We made our way through narrow roads and past small towns to some American bunkers that sit on top of a bunkers that sit on top of a hill overlooking the Perfume river. We climbed a hill surrounded with pine trees. It was intersting that an area occupied so heavily by Americans would so closely resemble parts of the U.S. natural landscape. I wonder if that was intentional. Once we got to the top, there were a couple cement structures but what we were most intersted in was the view. When I was finally able to climb up on one of the stuctures (which was just short of setting me on fire when I touched it) for the use of a lame cliche, the view was 'breathtaking'. The river below with little boats chugging along; mountains surrounding us on three sides. What an awesome sight!!
From there we stopped on the way down the road at a place they make incense. Out front were these risers of colorful bundles of sticks that were not yet rolled. We were able to see a young girl rolling incense sticks that smelled like ciniamon. Emily bought this really cool set of hanging incense spirals. I didn't buy anything because I didn't find any smells that I wanted. We met a woman while there who was a voice teacher.
A last stop was a pagoda that a famous Buddhist writer studied at (I don't want to butcher the spelling of his name). As soon as we stepped through the entry way of the grounds, a peacefulness came over me. I think it's one of the most calming places I've ever been and someday want to devote time living and studying in such a place. While at the pagoda, we spoke with a student. He is twenty years old and has been a student there for ten years. At ten years old he chose to leave the civilian life and enter fully into the lifestyle and mindset of a Buddhist. No parent can send their child to a monestary, they can only choose. I think it's amazing someone of that age has the wisdom to make such a life altering decision that requires such a huge commitment and devotion.

As for the day, that's basically the short and the long of it. We got back to the hotel and had some lunch and after all the sun and adventure called it a day.

Sunday Adventures -- part I

Sunday 5/28 -- part I

Today was amazing! I deffinately felt like I made up for some lost time I had spent lounging around. Yesterday Kara set up motorbike drivers for herself, Emily and I to take us to the beach and we later decided to get as much exploring in as possible. So we headed for their corner on this morning around 8:15 and were eagerly greeted. As we strapped on our helmets we logistical chatter kept us from introductions and formal choosings of who's driver was who's. As we were heading down the street I was thinking how much I hoped these were good drivers and that there would be no need for our helmets. At that same moment we came to a quick and complete stop nose to nose with a truck...I pondered whether I should stop hopeing and start praying. The rest of the ride out to the coast was quite smooth though, my driver and I in the rear of the pack. We made and unexpected stop at Ho Chi Minh's house that he lived in for two years while his mother was ill and his father was in prison (1898-1900). He took care of an infant sibling during these years I believe.
While Kara and Emily signed the guest book I looked around the garden and took pictures. I also met the caretaker who is an old an with a cigar attatched to his lip almost perminately. He was beautiful and I would have loved to sit down and hear his story. He was a hardworker from the looks of the beautiful surrounding garden. After having a moment shaking his hand, we went next door to a small museum documenting teachings and historical content (though the building ws huge compared to the shackes surrounding it). We said our thank yous and goodyes, strapped the helmets back on and made our way down the narrow path way and crowded market entrance back to the main road and back on our way to the beach. The sites and sounds on the way to the beach surpassed anything we experianced while there...in my oppinon. Huge houses mixed in with shacks, fishing areas sectioned off in the bays, grave monuments raised on grass platforms in the middle of rice feilds, huge hay piles that we later found out were for drying or cooking rye. The commissoners mansion, gate and all. Some kind of grain spread out on the side of the road, Kara says was rice. On the way back from the beach people were raking this grain. Schools: secondary, high school and college. Hundreds of fishing boats in the harbor, the mountains in the distance. All incredible sights that begged to be seen at a slower spead. When we got to the beachthe drivers said they would wait for us. We walked down to where a few people had already settled and lathered on the sunscreen. Soon after arriving and being warned about watching where we stepped (poop) we were bombarded with children with baskets of shrimp flavored chips and gum they were trying to pawn off on us. We're beginning to learn that the children who sell for a living don't know NO as an answer. While Val searched diligently for shells and others were off exploring, Danny, Jonah, Jackie and I played frisbee witha guy who was quite entertaining and someones motorbike driver. It soon ended up just being myself and the driver who encouraged me to throw from where I was standing when I had to run after a throw that went over my head. He was very good and we played until my feet were smoking from the sand, in which case I dunked my feet in the water. OUr small four person tent soon turned into two tents together and all of us and the vounteer in terpretors under one roof. They brought watermelon and vietnamese strawberries and after taking some time out of the sun I took my one and only swim in the South China Sea. It had to have been at least 75 F though felt great considering the nearing 100F tempatures outside the water. After some more snacking Emily, Kara and I decided to call it a day at the beach and made our way back up to uor older male companions for the day. We rinsed our feet of sand and one more time with the helmets and we were watching the se4a, the tents and the posse of child laborers surrounding the others fade into the distance.

To be continued...

blah-dee blah-dee blah...

We picked up trash and washed windows at the school for the blind today. Later on it is off to the street children's school for some English lessons. Yesterday was a trip to the beach. The day before, orphanage and hangin out at the street Children's school. The day before that...? More of the same, plus some meeting with Vietnam veterans.

The meeting with the Vet's was a lot of information about how the people of Hue staved off the Americans during the tet offensive. I took notes and listened diligently, politely, and about halfway through hearing the details of the battles I started to become irritated. By the end, I was ready to put my fist through a wall. I am still not really sure why about this...War is just kind of messed up, don't ya think? On a side note, it would be nice to hear the women's story of the war. They were there too...


The ride to the beach was incredible. Not only did I not get lost, but I found a quicker way back home. I swam in the South China sea. Okay time for lunch.

Orphanage

I have deffinately been lacking in postings but take what you can get I guess. Today we took a trip (a very long bike ride, up hill, both ways, in over 100 degree weather...with humidity) to an orphanage located at a converted Pagoda. After getting there and assessing the amount of sweat dripping off us we sat down at a table for a small talk with the head buddhist nun at the orphanage. We were soon joined with our volunteer counterparts and took turns fanning each other. We did small introductions of everyone and had quetion and answer about the orphanage, directly followed by child student interaction. We walked into this big open room with pillars and cement floors. There were children in a big circle and when we walked in they all started to sing. They sang us happy birthday and a few other songs in english. It was a great way to lift our spirits after that long, hot bike ride. For the next couple of hours, we played with the children as a group and then individualy. We gave them earth balls that we stuffed for them last night, candy, and happy face stickers. They seemed to have a great time and we all had a few that really took to us and we're never far from our sides at any moment. We also saw the babies. They are all beautiful children and a quite well behaved for what we saw. It was time to leave before we knew it and said our good byes. I think we could have stayed for the better part of a day were we given the chance. We all basically knew our way back so we went at our own individual paces but regardless, we were all soaked by the time we got back and were anxious to climb the 1, 2 or 3 flights of stairs to get to a cold shower!! We've now had lunch and are feeling fat and happy though we still all struggle to stay healthy and keep our digestive systems at peace.
For the rest of the day we will be preparing for our 3rd day of teaching at the Street Children School and getting all pumped for our free day (a whole one!!) tomorrow!!! For now, that's all from the almeister, thanks for checking us out!

Perpetual Awe

Allow me to work my way backwards. A boat ride along the river helped me forget my fatigue from biking and playing in the sun with children. A walk through old neighborhoods, with one hundred and eighty-something old house, surrounded by mature fruit trees and other growing produce helped me to suppress the urgent need to pee; and speaking French and English with the tour guide volunteers/interns, continuously trying to understand each other to simply communicate, kept me present. Earlier, the market: two stories of price haggling consumers and products up the walls and through the ailes. A maze of colors and shapes, smells, and tastes, from silk to smoke.

Yesterday was a visit with CPI and with survivors. This is a sadness that I cannot communicate at this time in English or French.

Hue City

Hue is a little less electric with more open air than Ha Noi. It is quieter, and more colorful, less contrasted. The patterns and shapes of and within the streets exude a less abrasive aura. Still, I like it.

My last day in Ha Noi was unforgettable. I wandered off with my guitar; must'a packed up my clear-consciousness and left it on the hotel bed with my luggage, because I ended up lost as hell, running late. I will spare the details, but the experience is worth mention.

The first full day in Hue was really no better in terms of unplanned, uncontrollable, unwanted circumstances. Sickness hit me hard around lunchtime, and I spent the rest of the day trying to convince myself that I wasn't dying. Once again, I'll spare the details.

But every time I go outside of myself, to the cultural exchange, to the orphanage, to the bike/boat tour with the festival volunteers, I am humbled and grateful for this time here, and reminded of the need to SERVE.

Motorbikes!!

I just have to say, when on a motorbike, they are amazing!! Walking is a different story. But while we spent a great deal of time on the back of them today, I came to appreciate the chaos that accomplanies the whole experiance. Today was a lot of fun and I really have a good feeling about the students we will be working with for the time we are here. Good day!