Terrible Tuesday!

Today is the first day I officially disliked Vietnam.

Up early again! I don’t think I have mentioned this but they “lock us in” at night. It is actually kind of scary and definitely against fire code (Mom, don’t worry there is a ledge out my window). They close the big metal gate (because there is no front door) and padlock it! So, every morning when we get up to run we have to wake up the guy to let us out! Khaly told him we were sorry and that we were going to need to have it opened every morning but he said it wasn’t a big deal. They live in the bottom floor of the hostel but it is strange because it is completely open! I guess it has to be because they need to see who is coming in and out. Anyway I always feel bad waking that guy up!

I knew it wasn’t going to be a good day for exercising when I was dying for it to be over after walking out of our hostel! I did my four laps again, but this time tried to add some actual jogging in the middle. Ugh working out! After I was done I made my way to the aerobics class and ran into Ken who said, “Ok don’t move you just have a caterpillar on your shirt”. I was telling him how I ran but very slowly and we joked that even a caterpillar caught up to me! Oh well I am trying.

We did aerobics which was just ok..I couldn’t wait to be done! I came back to shower and had a skype date with Lorna! Yaaay it was wonderful! We were saying how this is the LONGEST we have ever gone without talking to it was so nice to catch up.

Ken went to the orphanage early so Khaly and I caught the bus and it was AWFUL again! It was hot and SO loud and bumpy. I am already tired of the horns, the noise, the people, the everything. I thought my like for Ho Chi Minh would have lasted longer, but everything I once enjoyed (the craziness) is now aggravating. I only lasted 9 days! The bus ride gave me an awful headache between the heat and noise and stop and go. The bus driver literally slams on the brakes so you go flying forward. Not ok. Who knew I would miss the Beijing subway?

We got to the orphanage and played with the kids for a bit before we got ready for meal time. Half way through the meal about 20 teenagers came in. I think they were from an organization or maybe a school or something. They started passing out treats for the kids, which was great, but not the right timing. They would just come over while we were feeding them and kick us out to hand the kids treats. I appreciated them coming to visit but it was just at the wrong time. I was feeding my blind boy (working on how to spell his name) and they just kinda pushed me out to give him treats! I felt like a mom and wanted to say, “Thanks but he needs to finish his meal first!” The same thing happened to Khaly! But like I said it was nice of them to show up it just messed up our normal routine.

When we were done Ken wanted to stay for lunch but Khaly and I were ready to leave! On our walk back to the bus she got a call from Hang, who said the boys shelter no longer needed us. I guess they will be doing other activities (singing and dancing) and don’t need teachers until January. The news was frustrating. I didn’t actually enjoy last week, but we had gone out and bought a lot of supplies so I was excited about this week. The three of us had been talking and planning and now last minute they didn’t need us? I don’t want to sound snobby but I feel like learning English (or any language) is more important than singing and dancing. It was also a bit strange because when we asked Hang if we could be flexible (do projects on different days) she told us she had a one year contract with the boys shelter so we needed to be there Tuesday and Thursday afternoons unless we let them know a week ahead of time. But now all of a sudden they canceled? I think Khaly and I were both frustrated, but also because the whole situation seemed shady.

I was, however, a bit happy to have the afternoon off. My headache only got WORSE on the bus ride home! Khaly and I think every bus ride gets worse, even though we don’t think it’s possible! This guy was literally SLAMMING on the breaks (people made gasping noises) everyone is honking, ugh it was not enjoyable. I was NOT a happy camper at the bus station. I knew I was hungry and tired and thirsty and needed to eat something FAST. Luckily, I could just tell Khaly I was grumpy so we went to the market and she ordered me a meal. I felt awful because at the market everyone is so aggressive and I usually try to be nice but today I felt like I was pushing people off of me and just ignoring them! Hopefully they will learn not to mess with a tired, hungry, motion sickness Julie.

I felt a LOT better after I ate this pork and rice dish. I also got a strawberry smoothie which was nice and cool. I still had an awful headache though (the noise and smell of the market didn’t help) so Khaly and I decided to come back and nap! We both needed a nap but I knew I needed to sleep off this headache. I actually did sleep for a bit which was nice and when I woke up my headache was half gone so I slept some more to get rid of the rest. Luckily it went away! Oh the wonders of food, water, AC and some rest!

Khaly and I then went to get a coffee and plan our trip! So here is the deal..we were thinking about going to the Mekong Delta. We have heard a lot about it and it’s a trip we see advertised a lot. After doing some research it sounded like we had to do the 2 day tour. We started asking around (Jemma, Ken, etc.) and nobody seemed thrilled! Everyone that went said it was ok..and half the people said it was AWFUL! It sounds like nothing too special.

Once we got talking to people it sounded like Halong Bay is the place to be! It is in northern Vietnam and people say it is BEAUTIFUL and worth the trip! We started researching..and this is what we found. We decided we would do a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday trip since it would be less busy during the week and we can also volunteer on Saturday here so we would only be missing one full day of volunteering. We could get a round trip flight (about 2.5 hours) from Ho Chi Minh to Hanoi (the capital of Vietnam). We were thinking we could leave early in the morning on Sunday (December 13th) to spend a full day in the capital exploring. After some more researching (Mom you would be proud) I found that everyone says if you go you have to do a junk boat. I know, I know, princess Julie was like excuuuuuuuuuse me? But they are boats (like mini hotels) that go throughout the bay and you spend one night. So after more research it sounds like you really get what you pay for (some people complained about rats and cockroaches). I found a really good deal on a beautiful junk boat! I think the plan is to book Monday and Tuesday on the junk boat and then fly back Tuesday night! We have to do some more emailing tomorrow but I am VERY excited!

Ken, Khaly and I went back to my favorite place for the pizza buffet! I love it! Although I wasn’t impressed with the pizza, but I love the watermelon and pineapple they have! We had a great dinner and then I went to pick up my laundry and we got a few snacks for the deaf kids tomorrow.

I got back and was unpacking my laundry when I realized one of my workout shirts was missing. I went back to try and explain. He said the other load he did my laundry with did not have anything extra in it (we looked). He also said on my slip it says how many items I have, so I needed to bring everything back. Needless to say I was not happy. I went back and saw my slip had 15, but 15 what? I either had too much or too little, depending on if he counted socks, etc. So this time I went back with Khaly (my enforcer) and basically what he said was, he didn’t know where it was but he would call the hotel where the other laundry was sent. The missing shirt wasn’t a big deal ($4 and I could get another) but it was the principle and the fact I didn’t want to lose anything else. I had Khaly ask how he counted and this is when it got annoying. Sometimes he counted socks, sometimes he didn’t, sometimes things are clipped together, etc. and he said they just “remember”. I told Khaly to tell him that next time I came we would count together. I wanted to tell him I was never coming back, but it’s the closest laundry. He also said to come back tomorrow and he would give me some money, which isn’t a big deal, I just want to make sure I don’t lose anything else!

Oh Vietnam!

Hugs and kisses from the girl who HOPES she will LOVE Vietnam tomorrow!