Monday, December 7, 2009

Lazy Day!

Oh sleep, how I have missed you! I knew neither Ken nor Khaly would go running this morning so I took the morning off too and slept in until 9:00am! What a beautiful thing!
I enjoyed lounging around and not feeling like I needed a nap at 9:30am. I was able to skype my mom which was so nice! Every night I want to skype but I am SO tired that I usually just go to bed! So it was nice to actually be AWAKE and able to catch up and SHE was the one who was tired.

I also decided to change my flight leaving Ho Chi Minh City. I have had enough and am leaving tomorrow! Ok no just kidding, I really do love it here. Before I get into my flight situation, I really do want to say I am LOVING it here! A couple people have said, “Oh it sounds like you aren’t happy” and after re-reading my blog I was like shoot it does sound like that. So here are my feelings about Vietnam.

I hate that when I wake up at 5:30 to work out it is ridiculously hot out. I hate knowing it will only get hotter. I hate that while running in the park I have to dodge the garbage (which is everywhere) and hurdle dead rats. I hate the one corner of the park that ALWAYS smells like urine (I have learned to hold my breath). I hate that the entire city smells like garbage. I hate that I am always covered in bugs. I hate seeing a mosquito and wondering if it will bite me and kill me. I hate being hounded by motorbikes wanting to drive me somewhere or people trying to sell me things. I hate that I can’t communicate with anyone. I hate the bus. I hate how hot and sticky it is. I hate how everyone yells and they play awful music. I hate the stop and go traffic, and more importantly, I hate when the bus driver slams on the breaks. I hate that hundreds of people in Ho Chi Minh City have to come to the soup kitchen to get food. I hate knowing there are hundreds more who are still starving. I hate the way the orphanage breaks my heart. I hate knowing there are children that don’t get the love and attention they deserve.

But somehow, all those hates turn into one big love. I love it here. I love the volunteer work I do. I love knowing that some people won’t go hungry and I love the kids at the orphanage. So, as much as I do (and sadly will continue to) complain, I absolutely, positively, love it here.

Ok back to my flight! I was supposed to leave on Sunday December 20th @ 11:40am. Now I spent literally every day this summer planning all of this and so far I have been pleased with my work, but I still can’t understand why I booked my flight for Sunday and not Saturday. Since I will start volunteering in Cambodia on Monday December 21st, I will really just get to my room before I start. I like having a day (at least) to settle in and learn the area. Since I will stop volunteering in Vietnam on Friday anyway, I don’t know what I thought I would do on Saturday! On top of that, I believe Ken, Khaly and Jemma will all be gone by then! So I thought I would call and see how much it would cost to change my ticket! I figured it was silly to spend the day in Ho Chi Minh (with no friends) when I could be settling into Cambodia. So I called (and the whole conversation was very confusing) but I got my flight changed to Saturday @ 4:30pm for free! Who knew?? Although watch me get a massive credit card bill! Anyway I am very excited because this makes a lot more sense to me.

After organizing my life a bit I took a shower and headed out! I want to book a tour to see the Cu Chi tunnels on Monday. I have looked at a lot of different tours but haven’t found anything great. I was VERY spoiled in Beijing by getting a private tour guide, but since I am splurging to go to Hanoi and Halong Bay I just want to do a cheap group tour. Literally every building in the backpackers district is a tour book agency, but I did do some research to find the legit ones. Basically, half the people love it, half the people hate it. But I did get three brochures so I will look them over and book tomorrow!

I decided I would just have PB&J for lunch, and as happy as I would have been sitting in my room I did figure I should go out and get some more fresh (as fresh as it gets here) air. I decided I would take myself to the park to eat lunch and do a bit of reading. I found a nice bench and had eaten a quarter of my sandwich when a guy came up to me (about my age I think). He told me he was a student learning English and asked if he could practice with me. I was in the middle of eating my lunch and had read enough about these “scams” so I told him I was meeting a friend in 5 minutes. I have learned (very quickly) how most of the world views Americans and I didn’t want to be mean, so I told him I would give him my number and he could call me. I had only taken another bite before a woman came up to me and kept asking if I wanted a pedicure. I had to ignore her before she would leave (which I hate doing) I think I had gotten through half my sandwich before another girl came up to me (same English story). Although she didn’t speak English as well so I don’t think she really understood when I said I had to meet a friend but here is my number…. The sad thing is, I am sure they were great people who really just wanted to practice English. But I was raised not to talk to strangers (right Mom and Dad?) so I left! I was sad to be driven out of the park, but it was too exhausting trying to relax!

I came back to finish my lunch and then Khaly and I went out to get our bangs trimmed. I knew I needed to take advantage of her language skills before she left! Luckily we found a good place and all was well! The woman took FOREVER on both our bangs, and while mine are different than usual it is fine! I also sprung for the shampoo and head massage and it was WONDERFUL!

When we were walking back all of a sudden I could tell someone was running at us (it was kinda scary) but it was Matt (one of the volunteers from the orphanage). We joined him and Talon and Talon’s mom (all volunteers) while they were finishing their meal and we got smoothies. We were going to go bowling and to Pizza Hut (well at least I was) but some people stayed out a liiiiittle too late last night so nobody felt like going. I was bummed because I was CRAVING Pizza Hut, but I guess it will have to wait!

I came back to rest for a bit before meeting Khaly for dinner. We just had quick dinner (we were both tired from our lazy day)! I was able to upload my first week of Vietnam pictures, so check them out! The videos take DAYS to load..but those will be coming soon as well!

Hugs and kisses from my lazy day!

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