After a long day of teaching, and a lovely dinner hosted by the hotel manager, 16 high schoolers arrived to take us on a "tour" of the Ho Kiem Lake District. Just so happens that it is the eve of the opening ceremonies for the biggest celebration this city has seen : the 1000th Year Anniversary of Hanoi. We were each "assigned" a student guide, mine, Tao, a lovely 15 year old took my arm, and for two hours guided me through the mass of humanity, lights, activity, and finally ice cream! there really aren't words to describe how a slim Asian 15 year old could be my strong protector, but she did just that! She was kind and solicitous, making sure I didn't trip, get lost, or get hit by a motorbike. The group of students would walk right into the mass of cars and scooters, raise their hands, and we would cross as if we were royalty. Of course, in between acting as our protectors, they did mange a few teenage tricks, like trying to throw each other in the lake and a few other similar amusements.
We will never forget this evening, (well...then again, hopefully my feet will soon forgive & forget)with likely almost a million people around the lake, beautiful lights and decorations, as well as entertainment. This city definitely knows how to throw a very grand party, and tonight was apparently just the beginning.
After my third shower of the day(yes the weather continues incredibly hot and humid) I'm exhausted and off to bed. Teaching for tomorrow, then a weekend off to Halong Bay,
Looking forward to putting my feet up,
Barbara
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Sad news from home and the hot work continues
We learned yesterday the sad news that our gigantic guinea pig Dono, who many of you have met, died. Allie was kind enough to be caring for him, and we know she did a great job. He lived a very long life for a guinea pig so his death was not unexpected. It does seem strange that we are now a household without pets for the first time ever. maybe fish next??????
the work here continues, I feel some increased ease and confidence in the classroom. It is brutally hot and humid, we are drenched at the end of each class. the acoutics are awful and the students are soft spoken, so its a challenge to hear what's going on. The students are mostly bright and inquisitive, but some are very shy and not anxious to use their English skills.Most have decent English, although they are not very used to conversation. I have switched to having them talk more and me talk less(now that really is a switch!). One of yesterday's groups discussed how to handle stress! Somethings really are universal.
Off to Skype with Evan & Shari, then a morning meeting, breakfast, and off to work we go!
Feeling better about teaching,
Barbara
the work here continues, I feel some increased ease and confidence in the classroom. It is brutally hot and humid, we are drenched at the end of each class. the acoutics are awful and the students are soft spoken, so its a challenge to hear what's going on. The students are mostly bright and inquisitive, but some are very shy and not anxious to use their English skills.Most have decent English, although they are not very used to conversation. I have switched to having them talk more and me talk less(now that really is a switch!). One of yesterday's groups discussed how to handle stress! Somethings really are universal.
Off to Skype with Evan & Shari, then a morning meeting, breakfast, and off to work we go!
Feeling better about teaching,
Barbara
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
More teaching, some shopping and a long walk through Hanoi
After a much needed deep sleep headed back to the Foreign Trade University today, it was still hot and humid, but the teaching assignments seemed a bit more manageable. Focused on having the students talk more and ask questions. They are quite curious and eager to learn. They practiced some presentations again, interestingly enough, one group chose Techniques to Deal with Stress(so another universal I guess!) One of the students noted her stress reduction method was.......yup, SHOPPING! HA HA, I felt right at home.
After return to the hotel and a quick shower, Roberta and I headed out to Craftlink, a coop that handles crafts from many regions of Vietnam, we did some great power shopping before meeting up with the rest of the group at KOTO, a fascinating restaurant, started by an Australian man, who helped homeless Vietnamese kids with training in cooking and hospitality, a great success. The passion fruit mousse, accompanied by iced Vietnamese coffee was definitely my favorite!
After dinner a long stoll home amidst more scooters, honking horns, people everyone enjoying the sights that are part of the 1000th year celebration of Hanoi, including a fabulous laser light show over the lake. It is very hard to describe the overwhelming nature of this experience. This is a city like no other we've been in.
Time for some sleep before more teaching tomorrow,
Shopped out,
Barbara
After return to the hotel and a quick shower, Roberta and I headed out to Craftlink, a coop that handles crafts from many regions of Vietnam, we did some great power shopping before meeting up with the rest of the group at KOTO, a fascinating restaurant, started by an Australian man, who helped homeless Vietnamese kids with training in cooking and hospitality, a great success. The passion fruit mousse, accompanied by iced Vietnamese coffee was definitely my favorite!
After dinner a long stoll home amidst more scooters, honking horns, people everyone enjoying the sights that are part of the 1000th year celebration of Hanoi, including a fabulous laser light show over the lake. It is very hard to describe the overwhelming nature of this experience. This is a city like no other we've been in.
Time for some sleep before more teaching tomorrow,
Shopped out,
Barbara
Monday, September 27, 2010
Teaching is Hard/Hot work!
Oh boy, teaching is hot and hard work. Today we headed to the Foreign Trade University and taught our first classes. Of course, first we had to make it to the campus in a cab that was weaving in between scooters and lots of honking horns. we did get to see some additional neighborhoods of Hanoi, here there are tree lined streets with old French architecture, no plastic chairs or people cooking on the curb.
We were warmly welcomed at the school, where there are thousands of students. After a bit of confusion about who was to be where, we were thrust into role of visiting professor, something of a shock. And....no air conditioning so it was somewhat like teaching in a hot yoga setting, I was just dripping. I taught two sessions of presentation skills. One thing's for sure, fear of public speaking is not limited by culture or language. It was fascinating to watch the students gain some confidence their skills. They are bright, eager and very funny! Now I'm exhausted. Waiting for the rest of our team to return, out to dinner and the Water Puppet show tonight,
Trying to figure out how to be a better teacher,
Barbara
We were warmly welcomed at the school, where there are thousands of students. After a bit of confusion about who was to be where, we were thrust into role of visiting professor, something of a shock. And....no air conditioning so it was somewhat like teaching in a hot yoga setting, I was just dripping. I taught two sessions of presentation skills. One thing's for sure, fear of public speaking is not limited by culture or language. It was fascinating to watch the students gain some confidence their skills. They are bright, eager and very funny! Now I'm exhausted. Waiting for the rest of our team to return, out to dinner and the Water Puppet show tonight,
Trying to figure out how to be a better teacher,
Barbara
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Scooters & Plastic chairs
Oh wow, we arrived in Hanoi in a downpour last night, very tired but happy to get here(the luggage wait was even longer than Denver!). Our driver to the hotel something of a maniac, changing lanes, honking, narrowing avoiding the scooters, and more scooters, and more scooters. Greeted when we got here by Terry + Roberta who were waiting in the bar with a beer for us! The hotel is in the middle of the old quarter which is teeming with action. Lovely rooms with the requisite necessities including air conditioning and internet.
After a deep sleep, awoke to a buffet breakfast and orienation meeting with the rest of our team, 16 strong, with many amazing individuals from all over, many have done multiple Global Volunteer trips in the past so there are far more experienced than we are. Quick walk around the Lake, where preparations are in full force for next week's celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Hanoi. The streets are narow, crowded, full of people, scooters, and less commonly cars and vans. You may not be surprised(for those who know me well), that our hotel is actually on , yes, you guessed it, Shoe Street! So won't I be having a grand time?
The afternoon brought representatives from the two schools : one group will go to the Private NBK school, Phil, I and others will teach at the Foreign trade University.....they brought us each a big book with the curriculum, it was so overwhelming that after the session I had to go and take a 3 hour nap to recover!
Dinner out with the team, very efficient service considering there were so many of us. We ate inside, BUT the little plastic chairs are everywhere outside. People sit and socialize, drink and eat from the street vendors on multicolored, small plastic chairs. Quite a sight.
We were lucky enough to "Skype" with Evan & Shari(Persey too!) just now. Evan had his White Coat Ceremony today, and we were so thrilled that Shari as well as Aunt Joyce and Uncle Ken could be there and sad that we were not. Amazing to be able to see and talk to each other when we are half way around the world.
Tomorrow is a big day, with meeting our students, doing introductions and trying to figure out our roles. A tad intimidating......stay tuned,
Learning to cross the streets safely,
Barbara
After a deep sleep, awoke to a buffet breakfast and orienation meeting with the rest of our team, 16 strong, with many amazing individuals from all over, many have done multiple Global Volunteer trips in the past so there are far more experienced than we are. Quick walk around the Lake, where preparations are in full force for next week's celebration of the 1000th anniversary of Hanoi. The streets are narow, crowded, full of people, scooters, and less commonly cars and vans. You may not be surprised(for those who know me well), that our hotel is actually on , yes, you guessed it, Shoe Street! So won't I be having a grand time?
The afternoon brought representatives from the two schools : one group will go to the Private NBK school, Phil, I and others will teach at the Foreign trade University.....they brought us each a big book with the curriculum, it was so overwhelming that after the session I had to go and take a 3 hour nap to recover!
Dinner out with the team, very efficient service considering there were so many of us. We ate inside, BUT the little plastic chairs are everywhere outside. People sit and socialize, drink and eat from the street vendors on multicolored, small plastic chairs. Quite a sight.
We were lucky enough to "Skype" with Evan & Shari(Persey too!) just now. Evan had his White Coat Ceremony today, and we were so thrilled that Shari as well as Aunt Joyce and Uncle Ken could be there and sad that we were not. Amazing to be able to see and talk to each other when we are half way around the world.
Tomorrow is a big day, with meeting our students, doing introductions and trying to figure out our roles. A tad intimidating......stay tuned,
Learning to cross the streets safely,
Barbara
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Oasis in Bangkok & Barbara Wins the First Scrabble Game
Seems like eons ago that Marty D picked us up in Genesee and headed off to the airport. Our LAX flight was uneventful, what a crazy airport in LAX. There are flights to all over the world and it is really chaotic, BUT the Thai airlines lounge was lovely nad 'above it all", we rested and of course had some snacks before heading for the BIG flight. Can you imagine 17 hours on one segment? Yup, but , flying business/first was fabulous, I could get spoiled, what with seats that almost lie flat, tv and movies on demand, and being fed well every few hours it was almost painless. Watched 2 movies and CSI Miami and with the help of ativan, slept for over 7 hours. That put me in good shape for beating Phil for the first scrabble game, HA HA.
Bangkok airport is only 4 years old , a surprise in steel, concrete nad contemporary design. Immigration was a breeze, and then we found ourselves at our Bangkok oasis: The Novotel hotel. Just 5 minutes from the airport, modern and new, quiet as well. Beautiful pool and fitness area protected from the hustle bustle of the airport. We actually worked out, swam, and just woke up from a 4 hour nap. Ready for the next leg of the trip .......on to Hanoi and our volunteer adventures. our orientation starts tomorrow am. Looking forward to seeing our friends and fellow travellers, Terry & Roberta.
So far cell and internet access seems fine......great to hear from everyone, as we realize just how far away we are.
Congrats to Evan tomorrow on his white coat ceremony and thanks to Shari for representing us there,
Getting use to the travelling life,
Barbara
Bangkok airport is only 4 years old , a surprise in steel, concrete nad contemporary design. Immigration was a breeze, and then we found ourselves at our Bangkok oasis: The Novotel hotel. Just 5 minutes from the airport, modern and new, quiet as well. Beautiful pool and fitness area protected from the hustle bustle of the airport. We actually worked out, swam, and just woke up from a 4 hour nap. Ready for the next leg of the trip .......on to Hanoi and our volunteer adventures. our orientation starts tomorrow am. Looking forward to seeing our friends and fellow travellers, Terry & Roberta.
So far cell and internet access seems fine......great to hear from everyone, as we realize just how far away we are.
Congrats to Evan tomorrow on his white coat ceremony and thanks to Shari for representing us there,
Getting use to the travelling life,
Barbara
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Well.......almost ready to roll! and....Phil needs a tie
Well, after 15 months of planning, emails too numerous to count, endless discussions of just how many shirts to bring, we seem to be packed and almost ready to go. The duffles are stuffed, the backpacks are full of essential items . Just some small things to finish up tomorrow morning. A quick yoga class and then off to the airport in the afternoon.
I must say it seems a bit surreal to finally be leaving. The whole Wind Crest community has been unbelievably supportive as I got hugs and best wishes today. Phil's team showed their support by giving him a new pair of flip flops. Dono, the mammoth guinea pig is happily ensconced with our friend Allie who is giving him more love and cuddles than he ever gets at home. Alice & Martine will be enjoying Chez Genesee while this weekend while Alice is visitin(sounds like there might be some wedding dress shopping coming up as well)
we've checked in with family and friends..... hoping to keep in close touch with email and text messages.
One last thing....I decided maybe I should check the Global Volunteers packing list (nothing like the last minute) and discovered that Phil needs a tie(now that was a shock), so he'll be throwing one in for Terry as well.
On our way......and thanks to all of you who have encouraged , cajoled, and supported us....and to all of you who will be caring for our patients, and our home while we are gone. Next post likely from either Los Angeles or Bangkok(12 hour layover there)
Just about packed........
Barbara
I must say it seems a bit surreal to finally be leaving. The whole Wind Crest community has been unbelievably supportive as I got hugs and best wishes today. Phil's team showed their support by giving him a new pair of flip flops. Dono, the mammoth guinea pig is happily ensconced with our friend Allie who is giving him more love and cuddles than he ever gets at home. Alice & Martine will be enjoying Chez Genesee while this weekend while Alice is visitin(sounds like there might be some wedding dress shopping coming up as well)
we've checked in with family and friends..... hoping to keep in close touch with email and text messages.
One last thing....I decided maybe I should check the Global Volunteers packing list (nothing like the last minute) and discovered that Phil needs a tie(now that was a shock), so he'll be throwing one in for Terry as well.
On our way......and thanks to all of you who have encouraged , cajoled, and supported us....and to all of you who will be caring for our patients, and our home while we are gone. Next post likely from either Los Angeles or Bangkok(12 hour layover there)
Just about packed........
Barbara
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