shades of blue: August 2010

Friday, August 27, 2010

8/17 Western Goods

Sacha and I found a fantastic store with aisles and aisles of western imports (well only two aisles really but very tightly packed aisles;)). We must have spent an hour wandering around the store excited and thrilled over such little things as Darjeeling tea, lentils, and granola bars. Lot's of "oh my god's" and "look at this's". Very comforting indeed;).

8/16 More Chickens

The chickens had been strangely absent, but have come back with a vengeance. We now have three loud, if not beautiful, roosters living next door that have a lot to say especially when I'm trying to sleep;).

Friday, August 20, 2010

8/15 Motivation

My primary motivation for writing this blog every day, or at least catching up ever week or so, is staying connected with my family. I just think of the letter that my great grandfather wrote to his grandchildren. I've read through it so many times. Loved the blue ink and old almost transparent typing paper. But have always wanted to know more about his trip around the world. While I know my writing is nothing epic, I do hope and believe that one of my great grand nieces or nephews and maybe even great grandchildren will read this silly simple blog with the same fascination that I read my great grandfathers simple but oh so elegant letter to his grand children and so lucky great grand children.

8/14 Cliche

It feels cliche, but I try to get lost once a week. On those light days when I have a few hours to spare I take a turn into a small street with no name. Invariably, I find a different world. A different side of HCMC. Today it was right behind my house. A little maze of tightly packed houses the size of closets and streets the size of sidewalks. They opened up suddenly to reveal a tennis club with an elegant restaurant that even advertised yoga classes and a gym.

8/13 40

As of today, I will be 40 in six months. I'm not quite sure what this means;).

8/12 Sublimated Homesickness

I'm watching American Idol and Desperate Housewives. I guess this is how I deal with homesickness and culture shock:).

8/11 Beggars

Beggars are virtually unheard of in Saigon. Yes there are a few in Pham Nhu Lao, but in other areas the displaced are for the most part relegated to selling lottery tickets to people in the little cafes with the little stools. There was, however, an older woman wheeling around a young disabled man at a cafe that I frequent tonight. She walked him around the tightly knit tables and almost every table gave them a few thousand Dong. Even with my experience at the shelter, I am very curious as to where the indigent are. Compared to India and even the US, there is just no one sleeping on the street. What happens to the homeless in Saigon?

8/10 Breakfast

My student brought me breakfast this morning. A big plastic bag full of five plastic little bags. Yummy crispy sesame cracker crisps, noodles, bean sprouts and greens, and two unidentifiable dark brothy soups. Very very tasty;).

8/9 Monsoon

Just for clarification the monsoon season lasts for six, yes six months in Saigon. On a good day, this means cool breezes and fabulous thunder storms. On a bad day, this means being soaked in a stinky raincoat and riding a motorbike in what are normally streets but have turned into rivers.

8/8 Eating Well

Wow! A family of eight can eat very well for only $75 a month. If you were to look at my budget, you'd think I was feeding a family of sixteen very large football players;).

Friday, August 13, 2010

8/7 Security Catch and Release

Sighting of the day: security officers playing catch and release with dragon flies. They are everywhere.

Wednesday, August 11, 2010

8/6 Afternoon offerings

Shopkeepers burning paper money and other offerings in front of their shops lined the main street on my way home today. They were all crouched down tending the little fires. It was beautiful.

Friday, August 6, 2010

8/5 Cell Phone Etiquette

does not exist in Asia. It's perfectly acceptable to answer your phone in class, in the movie theater, etc... Takes some getting used to.

8/4 Gloves and Slipper Socks

I am one step closer to being immersed in Vietnamese culture. On my ride home from work, I could literally feel my skin sizzling. The sunscreen I bought two days before seemed to be useless and was really expensive. So I pulled to the side of the road and motioned to a little old woman selling gloves. I purchased a set of cream colored silky elbow length gloves and matching slipper socks for about $1. I am now officially covered head to toe as I ride around Saigon. Just four months ago, I looked out in disbelief and confusion at the masked masses. Now, I so understand;).
ps pics coming soon

Thursday, August 5, 2010

8/3 Eight months

Both of my classes took me out for coffee after class today. I didn't think about it until now, but I have been away for eight months to the day. What a great way to celebrate.

8/2 Ivy Fruit

My student brought me a bag of "Ivy" tonight. Turns out it's a fruit ... a very very very sour but yummy fruit:).

8/1 Dan's Birthday

Had a much needed night out with the CELTA crew to celebrate Dan's Birthday. Had my first glass of wine in over a month and felt as though I just might be able to survive and thrive on my crazy schedule.

7/31 Hit the 24/24 wall

All over Pham Nu Lao there are "24/24" signs which, I am almost certain, translate to 24/7. This morning I think I hit the 24/24 wall. I was sick, tired and almost cried when someone asked me how I was. I will give it until Wednesday to see if I get better. If I don't, I will have to give up one of my classes;(.

7/30 Garbage Lady

Was yelled at by our early morning garbage lady today. She finally gave me the universal sign for money. Our landlord pays 10,000VND (about $.50) for trash pick up every month, but I think she wants more. We seem to generate more garbage then three houses combined. Ah the life of a westerner.

7/29 Health Drinks

Popular Vietnamese health tonics:
Birds Nest - made of bird saliva
Fresh Ivy Juice

I have yet to try them. Will post as soon as I gather up the nerve;).

7/28 First 38 hour week

I've finished my first 38 hour week which is really almost 80 hours of work with planning and travel. I'm pretty exhausted but still grateful for the experience. My new classes are fantastic, very dynamic and engaged.

7/27 Monsoon Cold Season

Very sad to say that I have another cold. The monsoon brings lots of nasty cold strains and I seem to be catching them all. Other teachers have said it takes a season to get used to the rain.

7/26 Oh India

Found a copy of an Indian Movie today! My Name is Khan. While it was very serious with little music or dancing, it was still wonderful and just so great to hear Hindi in surround sound;).

7/25 My toe

Someone ran over my toe today while I was in traffic on my motorbike. No real harm but honestly the first time I felt anything close to real road rage. It just shows how very 'close' you are to your fellow motorcyclists here in Saigon;).

7/24 Picnic in the Park

Had a lovely picnic in the park today with a few other teachers today. We talked about the impending work permit crack down, visa runs and the general confusion that accompanies anything having to do with the government. Tried some strange sweet but heavily salted dried apricots. Lots of sesame and cashew sweets and of course cafe sua da;).

7/23 Wild and Crazy

Taught the craziest most out of control bunch of 10 year olds today. Burned through 6 activities in the first 45 minutes. The last activity was the only thing that kept them busy for any length of time. I had cut about 30 images and matching words for each student and then scattered them around the adjoining room. They loved it and I regained a sense, if not fleeting, of control;).

7/22 Power

The power cuts out pretty regularly as I've mentioned before. Usually it's irritating and a huge inconvenience. But tonight, it cut out around 11pm and it was lovely. It was just so still, so serene. I sat in the darkness for about a half hour and felt, for perhaps the first time in weeks, relaxed, calm and at peace.