Dinner and School.

Nov. 30, Vietnam Time

Yesterday, I went to Mr. Thanh’s place for dinner. He rents one room, that adjoins a much larger house. The main residence has about 5 or 6 rooms that they rent out. His girlfriend, Miss Hang, rents another room next to his. This room is about 45 minutes from his travel office in the Old French Quarter of Hanoi. I rode on the back of his motorbike to get there. I am really used to the traffic now after so many visits but Thanh is a great driver too. Before cooking dinner we go to the local market. This is a big open metal building that has about 100 venders inside selling meat, vegetables, flowers, you name it. Lots of flies hovering over the meat. The fish come in all sizes and colors. The vegetables and fruit look good; lots of fruit unique to S.E.Asia. One fruit I like it dragon fruit and here is very sweet and huge. Thanh asked me if I would eat buffalo tongue. I said “sure”. I have had cow tongue before.

I rest and watch TV while Thanh prepares dinner. The kitchen counter is really the floor with two propane burners. After about an hour or more, dinner is ready. Soup, fish, meat, rice, and fruit. Food enough for 10 but there are only 4 of us. I think they think I eat a lot. Ha!! Oh, and I forgot beer. We eat sitting Indian style on the floor, which is the hardest part for me. I cheat and use the wall for support. The soup is very tasty. I think the vegetable is a type of turnip. The fish is very good too, but small bones, so constantly picking them out. The tongue is good, dipped in nuoc man sauce(sp?), and constantly washed down with beer. I am always amazed at how little cooking equipment they have, yet can put together such a great dinner. Of course, the weather now is helping too as you don’t have to sweat through the whole meal. But the local people think it is cold here. So far , perfect for me.

Going back into Hanoi, there is very little traffic and it is only 7:30 pm. Our main problem is the road is narrow, and we are behind a city bus, constantly breathing in fumes. You see a few motobike riders with a death wish, passing with just a sliver of payment on blind curves or hills. Thanh is content to just follow until finally we have passing lane. Back in my $12 room, we watch a soccer match before calling it a day.

Dec. 1
This morning I went to visit my old school. There is a team of volunteers there now, so I wanted to be careful not to upset or intrude on their time or routine, but Pam, the team leader and my friend, invited me to come in the morning. While there, I wanted to look up a few students but I couldn’t find them. I did see a few of the teachers I had worked with before, so that was nice. The principal heard I was there and came and gave me a big hug. He says we are “brothers” so that was very nice. Later, I had lunch at the school with him. For some reason, the principal and his son really like me and he was thrilled to see me. The volunteer team is visiting his home tomorrow, so then of course, he wanted to invited me to come to his home too, so I will do that tomorrow.

There is another teacher, Mr. Quy, who heard I was there and came running to give me a big hug too. He wanted to have lunch with me too. It was very nice that this teachers were so glad to see me again. I was touched. Now, Mr. Quy, wants to see me tonight, so I will see if he calls.

Now, I am going to get my Lao Visa.
Take care.