Our last day in VN. The group is going to do some major shopping and relax. We plan to leave for the airport about 8 pm. Dinner tonight is "PHO". Tomorrow JP and HONOLULU!
Vinh Dang
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Corinna Hughes
New Appreciation
We visited an orphanage today, after riding ostriches and visiting a crocodile farm. As we pulled up in the bus children gathered curiously, but as we prepared our donations they stood back patiently. Even when we offered stuffed animals and costume jewelry they were hesitant and remembered to bow politely before accepting. As we offered them second stuffed animals they waved the first and bowed away, leaving the extra for another child. There were young children caring for younger children; some gave their extra goodies to the kids there were carrying, others gave away their only toy to a friend near by. The amount of kindness, and affection these boys and girls shared with each other warmed my heart.
While we nibbled at the food that was prepared for us the children sat on the steps smiling broadly at each other, adjusting their jewelry, and looking pleased. Mr. Dang lead us around their living quarters and explained the arrangements. Boys in one room, girls in the other; both filled with bunk beds, and thin mats. ‘There aren’t enough bunks for all of them Mr. Dang.’ Our reply: ‘No, a few have to double up of course.’ Really, all they have to share are thin mats, because there are no pillows or mattresses to speak of.
All of this makes me ponder why we are so quick to complain about the heat, how long a bus ride will take, and the fact that we don’t have any music to listen to. The happiness, and togetherness these children show, amazes and inspires me. Although they don’t always have toilet paper, new clothes, or tooth brushes, they all get along and are happy. I would like to be able to learn from these children to appreciate my experiences, and all that I am privileged enough to have.
New Appreciation
We visited an orphanage today, after riding ostriches and visiting a crocodile farm. As we pulled up in the bus children gathered curiously, but as we prepared our donations they stood back patiently. Even when we offered stuffed animals and costume jewelry they were hesitant and remembered to bow politely before accepting. As we offered them second stuffed animals they waved the first and bowed away, leaving the extra for another child. There were young children caring for younger children; some gave their extra goodies to the kids there were carrying, others gave away their only toy to a friend near by. The amount of kindness, and affection these boys and girls shared with each other warmed my heart.
While we nibbled at the food that was prepared for us the children sat on the steps smiling broadly at each other, adjusting their jewelry, and looking pleased. Mr. Dang lead us around their living quarters and explained the arrangements. Boys in one room, girls in the other; both filled with bunk beds, and thin mats. ‘There aren’t enough bunks for all of them Mr. Dang.’ Our reply: ‘No, a few have to double up of course.’ Really, all they have to share are thin mats, because there are no pillows or mattresses to speak of.
All of this makes me ponder why we are so quick to complain about the heat, how long a bus ride will take, and the fact that we don’t have any music to listen to. The happiness, and togetherness these children show, amazes and inspires me. Although they don’t always have toilet paper, new clothes, or tooth brushes, they all get along and are happy. I would like to be able to learn from these children to appreciate my experiences, and all that I am privileged enough to have.
Walking out of the Saigon airport, we were immediately greeted by a wave of humidity, and the calls of the Vietnamese people looking for their relatives or friends. As we made our way through the path of people and towards the bus, we were marveled because of how many people there were. Once on the bus, we made our way towards the hotel. Staring out of the windows of the bus, we flew by the neon signs declaring that the shop it represents is still open. Hurtling down the main drag, we are meet by the sounds of horns and swerving bus drivers. Arriving at the hotel we quickly unload our suitcases and get our room assignments and head up to our room to get ready for the night. After settling in for the night, the noise of horns honking angrily is still recognizable from the rooms.
Getting up the next day, only after receiving a wake up call from Mr. Dang at 6:45, we got ready for the day and headed down to breakfast. Making our way through the city and towards the Cu Chi Tunnels was an eventful ride with hoards of mopeds, blaring horns and swerving and sudden stops. When we finally reached the location of the tunnels, we stepped out of the cool air-conditioned bus and into the sauna like humidity of the day. Making our way into the area of the historic tunnel area, it felt like we were stepping back in time, with the workers dressed in time period accurate clothing, hot thick cotton full length uniforms. After watch a short film on the history of the tunnels, we looked at different traps that the Vietnamese warriors set up to defeat the American soldiers. As our tour guide lead us around, he suddenly pulled up a little wooden trap door and revealed a secret entrance to the tunnels. One at a time, we climbed down into the hole; the top only reached my shoulders. Walking to a little hut with fake grass and holes and traps in the ground. As they set off the traps, collective ‘ooh’s and ‘ouch’s murmured. Moving on to the tunnels, we wedged ourselves into a tiny little system of tunnels. While climbing into the landing before the tunnels, we were told that the tunnels were expanded to four times the size of the original size, just so that tourist would fit better. After squeezing into the tunnels, there were numerous remarks saying that we could never imagine the tunnels divided by four and how the Vietnamese could fit into them. One hundred meters and many flashes later, we emerged from out of the tunnels even hotter than we were when we entered.
After looking back on the experience in the tunnels, I now realize that their Vietnamese warriors really did help their country, and they also sacrificed a lot just so that they could protect their country and themselves. This war was hard on the people, as well as the land, and even though the Americans were brutal to them, they are so nice and forgiving to foreigners.
Savanna Rafto
Getting up the next day, only after receiving a wake up call from Mr. Dang at 6:45, we got ready for the day and headed down to breakfast. Making our way through the city and towards the Cu Chi Tunnels was an eventful ride with hoards of mopeds, blaring horns and swerving and sudden stops. When we finally reached the location of the tunnels, we stepped out of the cool air-conditioned bus and into the sauna like humidity of the day. Making our way into the area of the historic tunnel area, it felt like we were stepping back in time, with the workers dressed in time period accurate clothing, hot thick cotton full length uniforms. After watch a short film on the history of the tunnels, we looked at different traps that the Vietnamese warriors set up to defeat the American soldiers. As our tour guide lead us around, he suddenly pulled up a little wooden trap door and revealed a secret entrance to the tunnels. One at a time, we climbed down into the hole; the top only reached my shoulders. Walking to a little hut with fake grass and holes and traps in the ground. As they set off the traps, collective ‘ooh’s and ‘ouch’s murmured. Moving on to the tunnels, we wedged ourselves into a tiny little system of tunnels. While climbing into the landing before the tunnels, we were told that the tunnels were expanded to four times the size of the original size, just so that tourist would fit better. After squeezing into the tunnels, there were numerous remarks saying that we could never imagine the tunnels divided by four and how the Vietnamese could fit into them. One hundred meters and many flashes later, we emerged from out of the tunnels even hotter than we were when we entered.
After looking back on the experience in the tunnels, I now realize that their Vietnamese warriors really did help their country, and they also sacrificed a lot just so that they could protect their country and themselves. This war was hard on the people, as well as the land, and even though the Americans were brutal to them, they are so nice and forgiving to foreigners.
Savanna Rafto
Friday, June 11, 2010
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B.jpg)
Thursday, June 10, 2010
First Impressions
Before I took my first few steps off of the plane, I knew that Vietnam wasn’t an environment I was accustomed to living in. I’ve lived in many places throughout my life; I’ve lived in Tokyo, Beijing, Melbourne and Honolulu, which are all major cities in developed countries. The contrast of the social and economic atmospheres between the cities I’ve lived in and Ho Chi Minh is almost too great to put in words.
In my first day of touring around Vietnam, I couldn’t help but remember my days in pre-Olympics Beijing. The countless number of mopeds on the city streets and the dusty streets filled with people selling bootleg DVDs evoked strong memories in me. It wasn’t a negative experience at all, rather, it reminded me that there are places in this world that haven’t developed as much as the places I’ve lived in. I sympathize with people selling bootleg DVDs and fake Rolex watches because they are just like the rest of us; they are just trying to find a way to make some extra money to be able to survive. But this isn’t all that I’ve learned during my first day in Vietnam.
I’ve always known that Vietnam is a country filled with poverty, but today, I saw a glimpse of the vast amounts of history. The tour of Cu Chi tunnel was filled with American-Vietnamese history. I had an opportunity to crawl through the very same tunnel that the Vietnamese guerilla troops used during the Vietnam War. I could not believe that the tunnel was widened four times for the tourists; I was simply incredulous to the idea that the Vietnamese troops could fit through a tunnel that was one-fourth as big as the hole that I had a hard time crawling through. This is definitely an experience that I will never forget.
I also had an opportunity to shoot the M30 machine gun that was used by the Vietnamese troops during the war. I underestimated the force of the recoil and the sound that followed after each bullet left the gun, and began to shoot the three feet long machine gun without any earplugs. This left my right ear deaf for about ten minutes after I had left the shooting range. Imagine getting shot by one of those bullets… Your arms would probably blow off.
However, the best part about Vietnam is the food. In my first day at Vietnam, I got to taste pho, pig brain, liver, shrimp spring rolls, banana bread and countless other exotic foods. One has to come to Vietnam and try it to truly understand how good it is. My appetite for Vietnamese is insatiable now.
Kai Yamamoto
June 10/2010
Before I took my first few steps off of the plane, I knew that Vietnam wasn’t an environment I was accustomed to living in. I’ve lived in many places throughout my life; I’ve lived in Tokyo, Beijing, Melbourne and Honolulu, which are all major cities in developed countries. The contrast of the social and economic atmospheres between the cities I’ve lived in and Ho Chi Minh is almost too great to put in words.
In my first day of touring around Vietnam, I couldn’t help but remember my days in pre-Olympics Beijing. The countless number of mopeds on the city streets and the dusty streets filled with people selling bootleg DVDs evoked strong memories in me. It wasn’t a negative experience at all, rather, it reminded me that there are places in this world that haven’t developed as much as the places I’ve lived in. I sympathize with people selling bootleg DVDs and fake Rolex watches because they are just like the rest of us; they are just trying to find a way to make some extra money to be able to survive. But this isn’t all that I’ve learned during my first day in Vietnam.
I’ve always known that Vietnam is a country filled with poverty, but today, I saw a glimpse of the vast amounts of history. The tour of Cu Chi tunnel was filled with American-Vietnamese history. I had an opportunity to crawl through the very same tunnel that the Vietnamese guerilla troops used during the Vietnam War. I could not believe that the tunnel was widened four times for the tourists; I was simply incredulous to the idea that the Vietnamese troops could fit through a tunnel that was one-fourth as big as the hole that I had a hard time crawling through. This is definitely an experience that I will never forget.
I also had an opportunity to shoot the M30 machine gun that was used by the Vietnamese troops during the war. I underestimated the force of the recoil and the sound that followed after each bullet left the gun, and began to shoot the three feet long machine gun without any earplugs. This left my right ear deaf for about ten minutes after I had left the shooting range. Imagine getting shot by one of those bullets… Your arms would probably blow off.
However, the best part about Vietnam is the food. In my first day at Vietnam, I got to taste pho, pig brain, liver, shrimp spring rolls, banana bread and countless other exotic foods. One has to come to Vietnam and try it to truly understand how good it is. My appetite for Vietnamese is insatiable now.
Kai Yamamoto
June 10/2010
We are here at Allezboo Resort after a full day of activities. The group left the Palace at 8:00 am and headed north to the Mango Garden where we rode ostriches and ate them too (pictures are coming soon). By 1:00 pm we left for the orphanage, the ride was long because of the roadblocks and constructions. Finally, we arrived at 4: 20 pm, the head nun greeted us with smiles and hospitality. There were 30 kids this time, some of whom are infants.
Tomorrow, we are getting up at 5:00 am to see the sun rise and sand dunes. Lets see if the group can get out of bed or not :)
Tomorrow, we are getting up at 5:00 am to see the sun rise and sand dunes. Lets see if the group can get out of bed or not :)
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
Walking out of the Saigon airport, we were immediately greeted by a wave of humidity, and the calls of the Vietnamese people looking for their relatives or friends. As we made our way through the path of people and towards the bus, we were marveled because of how many people there were. Once on the bus, we made our way towards the hotel. Staring out of the windows of the bus, we flew by the neon signs declaring that the shop it represents is still open. Hurtling down the main drag, we are meet by the sounds of horns and swerving bus drivers. Arriving at the hotel we quickly unload our suitcases and get our room assignments and head up to our room to get ready for the night. After settling in for the night, the noise of horns honking angrily is still recognizable from the rooms.
Getting up the next day, only after receiving a wake up call from Mr. Dang at 6:45, we got ready for the day and headed down to breakfast. Making our way through the city and towards the Cu Chi Tunnels was an eventful ride with hoards of mopeds, blaring horns and swerving and sudden stops. When we finally reached the location of the tunnels, we stepped out of the cool air-conditioned bus and into the sauna like humidity of the day. Making our way into the area of the historic tunnel area, it felt like we were stepping back in time, with the workers dressed in time period accurate clothing, hot thick cotton full length uniforms. After watch a short film on the history of the tunnels, we looked at different traps that the Vietnamese warriors set up to defeat the American soldiers. As our tour guide lead us around, he suddenly pulled up a little wooden trap door and revealed a secret entrance to the tunnels. One at a time, we climbed down into the hole; the top only reached my shoulders. Walking to a little hut with fake grass and holes and traps in the ground. As they set off the traps, collective ‘ooh’s and ‘ouch’s murmured. Moving on to the tunnels, we wedged ourselves into a tiny little system of tunnels. While climbing into the landing before the tunnels, we were told that the tunnels were expanded to four times the size of the original size, just so that tourist would fit better. After squeezing into the tunnels, there were numerous remarks saying that we could never imagine the tunnels divided by four and how the Vietnamese could fit into them. One hundred meters and many flashes later, we emerged from out of the tunnels even hotter than we were when we entered.
After looking back on the experience in the tunnels, I now realize that their Vietnamese warriors really did help their country, and they also sacrificed a lot just so that they could protect their country and themselves. This war was hard on the people, as well as the land, and even though the Americans were brutal to them, they are so nice and forgiving to foreigners.
Savanna Rafto
Getting up the next day, only after receiving a wake up call from Mr. Dang at 6:45, we got ready for the day and headed down to breakfast. Making our way through the city and towards the Cu Chi Tunnels was an eventful ride with hoards of mopeds, blaring horns and swerving and sudden stops. When we finally reached the location of the tunnels, we stepped out of the cool air-conditioned bus and into the sauna like humidity of the day. Making our way into the area of the historic tunnel area, it felt like we were stepping back in time, with the workers dressed in time period accurate clothing, hot thick cotton full length uniforms. After watch a short film on the history of the tunnels, we looked at different traps that the Vietnamese warriors set up to defeat the American soldiers. As our tour guide lead us around, he suddenly pulled up a little wooden trap door and revealed a secret entrance to the tunnels. One at a time, we climbed down into the hole; the top only reached my shoulders. Walking to a little hut with fake grass and holes and traps in the ground. As they set off the traps, collective ‘ooh’s and ‘ouch’s murmured. Moving on to the tunnels, we wedged ourselves into a tiny little system of tunnels. While climbing into the landing before the tunnels, we were told that the tunnels were expanded to four times the size of the original size, just so that tourist would fit better. After squeezing into the tunnels, there were numerous remarks saying that we could never imagine the tunnels divided by four and how the Vietnamese could fit into them. One hundred meters and many flashes later, we emerged from out of the tunnels even hotter than we were when we entered.
After looking back on the experience in the tunnels, I now realize that their Vietnamese warriors really did help their country, and they also sacrificed a lot just so that they could protect their country and themselves. This war was hard on the people, as well as the land, and even though the Americans were brutal to them, they are so nice and forgiving to foreigners.
Savanna Rafto
Tuesday, June 8, 2010
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Another great long day starting with the group eating at 7 in the morning and by 8:00 am the group left for the tunnels. The drive to Cu Chi took 2 hours, but everyone seemed energetic and happy.
Kai wanted to write a reflection on his experience in VN, but by the time we got back to the Palace I was so exhausted. I am so tired to do anything except posting a quick note and a few pictures to parents to let them know that we are okay.
The Mekong is tomorrow.
Take care from Saigon,
VInh Dang
Kai wanted to write a reflection on his experience in VN, but by the time we got back to the Palace I was so exhausted. I am so tired to do anything except posting a quick note and a few pictures to parents to let them know that we are okay.
The Mekong is tomorrow.
Take care from Saigon,
VInh Dang
Monday, June 7, 2010
I arrive in old Saigon, present Ho Chi Minh City, and make my way through customs, baggage claim, and luggage inspection. It’s taken me four cups of coffee, two flights, one long layover, and all my energy to get here. I push my un-steerable cart into the last air-conditioned area of the airport, waiting for everyone else to catch up. My dad and I stand and take a deep breath. I look out through the glass doors and see the familiar, but not so familiar, eyes I’ve seen before always greeting me back into Vietnam. There hasn’t been a time when hundreds of friendly faces haven’t embraced me back, even though I know none of them- it just makes me feel like a big family gathering back home in Maryland. In fact, I see a face that looks uncannily like my aunt who had raised me as an infant. She was always someone very special to me. I finally get a chance to catch up with my thoughts, except I spoke too soon, and everyone is ready and pushing their way through. As I walk through the sliding glass doors a tidal wave of moisture, humidity, and heat rushes over me. All I can do is laugh and smile. I glance over at my dad and he’s doing the exact same- I can’t help but wonder if we were thinking the same thing. Running through my head was: “Thank God I love a place so much that I can get over this heat!” As we walk further out, the smells start to override my senses, but to tell you the truth it’s nothing too distinct. To me it’s just a smell that I associate with Vietnam, a comforting smell, a smell I once thought of as gross and dirty; now thought of as a warm and consoling smell.
As we load and begin to ride on our over-sized bus, that is only seating eleven people, it’s now eleven at night on a Monday… or is it Sunday? Everyone has their own row, and takes up whatever they can of the city; seeing as though we’ve been traveling for what seems like days. It’s dark and late, but they get a small glimpse into what is to come. Most people really take notice to the number of scooters and someone on the bus says: “Scooters here are the equivalent to cars in the U.S.” Little do they know they’ve seen nothing yet.
Miranda Lu Dang
June 8 at 1:00 am
As we load and begin to ride on our over-sized bus, that is only seating eleven people, it’s now eleven at night on a Monday… or is it Sunday? Everyone has their own row, and takes up whatever they can of the city; seeing as though we’ve been traveling for what seems like days. It’s dark and late, but they get a small glimpse into what is to come. Most people really take notice to the number of scooters and someone on the bus says: “Scooters here are the equivalent to cars in the U.S.” Little do they know they’ve seen nothing yet.
Miranda Lu Dang
June 8 at 1:00 am
Good Evening!
We are here at the Palace Hotel. The flights went smoothly with lots of good foods and movies. We landed at Tan San Nhat Airport at 10:00 pm local time and 20 minutes later we are at the hotel. Some kids want to have a late snack so I am taking them to the deli that is open all night.
Saigon is beautiful as before!
Good night everyone,
Vinh Dang
PS: pictures are coming up soon
Saigon is beautiful as before!
Good night everyone,
Vinh Dang
PS: pictures are coming up soon
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