Do it your Hue (sounds like Way)
We are now in the ancient captial of Viet Nam. What glorious city. Mainly I like because it is not as humid (did I mention it was hot and humid here?) But this place has personality... and our hotel has 4 stars. Which means we are not sleeping on beds harder than bricks, we have shower curtains, water pressure, toilet paper, NO two inch cockroaches, and last but not least there is a pool! Sure I sound like a snobby Western, but, oh sweet Momma, there is nothing like a softer bed to sleep on!!!! The country id also starting to look more like it does in all those American films. You know what I'm talking about... Jungle, beach, natives living in huts and of course as we have seen all along, rice paddies. Did I mention humidity?
I'm Melting
Well I actually wrote this a day or so ago, but the small town we were in didn't have the most reliable internet- so I have to rewrite it... (at least what I can remember, anyway).
We saw Khe Sanh today. A man sold dog tags. The color of the earth could only be only be described as a shade of blood, literally. I've been to historic battle fields before, but for the first time in my life I actually knew of someone who fought there. One of the professors of my China program was in a medical position. He shared his stories with us students then, but only now do his "stories" have a real meaning. I am filled with a lot of sadness and confusion. Why? The United States dropped more than 15 million tons of explosives on Vietnam- the equivalent of the power of 400 Hiroshima-sized atomic bombs- over the entire country in an attempt to prevent a Communist victory (Duiker). On the other hand the Vietnamese people are eager for peace and a normal relationship with the U.S. This is not because they have short memories or do not harbor a certain amount of anger or bitterness toward the U.S. government. Rather it is rooted in the historic Vietnamese tradition of making peace with enemies (Ngo). And then there is just knowing someone who was there because it's just what he was suppose to do. I'm confused because I want to side on the American's but also on that of Vietnam. One of the Vietnamese directors had to hide for NINE years while growing up here due to the war. Could you imagine being in hiding for almost ALL of your childhood? Could you imagine giving up your your life between the ages of 18-25 for a war that couldn't be won?
Good morning Vietnam!
After a couple of days in a bus we are at the 17th parallel- aka the DMZ or the middle of the country! Hanoi was pretty great, it reminded a lot of Kunming (the city in China that I was at the longest). We got to see Ho Chi Minh (literally, these communist countries preserve their leaders and show them in a glass case), he sends his love! The homes here are not all like I expected them to look like. They are actually pretty nice for such a poor country, though that could be because we only see the ones near the road. The countryside is SO beautiful! And now that we are in the narrow part of the nation their is the South China Sea to one side of us and Mountains to the other. Speaking of the sea, we went to the beach two days ago. It was interesting to say the least. You know when we go to the beach its a time for relaxation and fun- here its the same only there are people constantly walking up to you trying to sell seafood or other goods. And I mean constantly. The saddest part was seeing children pick at the food that others had left behind. Its really hard not to want to just give them a wad of cash sometimes.
The group that I'm traveling with are really great- unlike my last trip like this all the people actually are here by choice which makes such a difference in their attitudes. I hope to write some more this evening as we are getting ready to leave in a few!!!
From Asia with Love
After about a million hours on various airplanes all over the Pacific Ocean, I'm finally in Hanoi! Yay! I will write more tomorrow (I hope).... I would say that I miss y'all, but I love it here WAY too much! I never realize just how much I missed being in Asia and how much it feels like home. (Oh, Kuala Lumpur was very cool. I have a picture of myself in front of the Petronas towers (the building in that Sean Connery film) and went shopping a very upscale mall- there was Hermes, Gucci, Burberry, etc... ahhhh. Such good times!!!!
Thai video
The Rockstar sent me this about Thailand- Its funny and kind of informative! I leave in 2 hours!! eek!
http://youtube.com/watch?v=3eRE2aH7NI0&search=Gerhard%20Reinke%20
Just 3 days away to Southeast Asia!
So I'm finally in my new place (I LOVE my new housemates!). I take the final for my class tomorrow, then I'm off to Louisville and Saturday I leave for L.A. for the BIG flight to Kuala Lumpur. Check out this
site for more info about my trip, though I'm going to post my itinerary below:
22 JULY 06 SATURDAYFlight from Louisville to Memphis, then Memphis to L.A. 12:30- 4:25 (don't you just love those time changes!)23 JUL 06 SUNDAY
1:40 AM Depart L.A. for Kuala Lumpur
12:15PM Arrival at Kuala Lumpur International Airport- Overnight in Kuala Lumpur
24 JUL 06MONDAY
KUALA LUMPUR-HANOI
10:00AM
Departure for Hanoi on Malaysia Airlines Flight #752
02:25PM
Arrival at Hanoi Noi Bai International Airport Mr. Dinh Quang Thu, Head, Office of International Relations, Hanoi University of Education, will meet the group
04:00PM
Arrival and check-in at Ho Guom Hotel
07:00PM
Dinner at Dinh Lang Restaurant
Overnight Hanoi
25 JUL 06 TUESDAY
HANOI
08:00AM
Breakfast at Ho Guom Hotel Restaurant
09:00AM-12:00PM
Courtesy call and meeting with HUE Rector Dinh Quang Bao and other University officials
12:30PM-02:30PM
Lunch at a Hanoi-area restaurant(details to be announced later)
02:50PM
Return to Ho Guom Hotel
03:00PM-06:00PM
FREE TIME ( NO SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES )
07:00PM
Dinner at Hanoi-area restaurant(details to be announced later)
08:00PM
Water puppet show
Overnight Hanoi
26 JUL 06 WEDNESDAY
HANOI
07:00AM
Breakfast at Ho Guom Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM
Departure for Ministry of Education or Ministry of Foreign Affairs (details to be announced later)
09:00AM
Meeting with Ministry of Education or Ministry of Foreign Affairs officials (details of meeting and agenda to be announced later)
12:00PM
Lunch at a Daewoo Hotel Restaurant
02:00PM
Return to Ho Guom Hotel
04:30PM
Visit National College for Early Childhood Education and courtesy call on Rector and other College officials
05:00PM
Return to Ho Guom Hotel
07:00PM
Dinner at Indochine Restaurant
Overnight Hanoi
27 JUL 06THURSDAY
HANOI-CUA LO
07:00AM
Breakfast at Ho Guom Hotel Restaurant
09:00AM
Departure for Cua Lo
12:00PM
Lunch en route in Thanh Hoa
04:00PM
Arrival and check-in at Hon Ngu Hotel
06:30PM
FREE TIME (NO SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES)
07:00PM
Dinner at Hon Ngu Hotel Restaurant
Overnight Cua Lo
28 JUL 06FRIDAY
CUA LO-DONG HA-LAO BAO-DA KRONG
07:00AM
Breakfast at Hon Ngu Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM
Departure for Dong Ha (capital of Quang Tri province)
12:00PM
Lunch en route in Dong Hoi (Quang Binh province)
01:00PM
Resume trip to Hue with stopover at Ben Hai river, Hien Luong Bridge, 17th Parallel and DMZ (North-South temporary demarcation line in accordance with the Geneva Accords of 1954)
04:00PM
Arrival and check-in at Phuong Dat Hotel
04:00PM
Visit Dong Ha town center and public market
07:30PM
Dinner at Phuong Dat Hotel Restaurant
Overnight Dong Ha
29 JUL 06SATURDAY
DONG HA-KHE SANH
07:00AM
Breakfast at Phuong Dat Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM-09:30AM
Visit Madam Nguyen Thi Binh Museum; seat of revolutionary government in South Viet Nam during War of National Liberation
10:00AM
Visit Da Krong bridge, Ta Con museum and Khe Sanh battlefield, all along the legendary Ho Chi Minh trail
12:30PM
Visit Lao Bao Trading Center (near Laos-Viet Nam border)
02:00PM
Lunch en route at a local restaurant (after lunch, take a side-trip to La Vang Holy Land and Quang Tri citadel)
07:00PM
Dinner at Phuong Dat Hotel Restaurant
Overnight Dong Ha
30 JUL 06 SUNDAY
DONG HA-HUE
07:00AM
Breakfast at Phuong Dat Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM
Departure for Hue (imperial capital of Viet Nam)
10:00AM
Arrival and check-in at Century Hotel in Hue
12:00PM
Lunch at Tropical Garden Restaurant
01:30PM
Visit imperial Citadel with and its ten fortified gates
03:30PM
Visit Tomb of Emperor Minh Mang (currently under restoration, through the auspices of UNESCO and a consortium of US philanthropic organizations)
06:00PM
Swimming at Thuan An beach
07:30PM
Dinner at Century Hotel Restaurant
Overnight Hue
31 JUL 06MONDAY
HUE-DANANG
06:00AM
Breakfast at Century Hotel Restaurant
07:00AM
Departure for Quang Ngai province (via Danang)
08:30AM
Stopover and swimming at Lang Co beach
09:30AM
Resume trip to Danang
11:30AM
Lunch at Phi Lu Chinese Restaurant
01:30PM
Resume trip to Quang Ngai
04:30PM
Stopover at My Lai/Song My Village Museum
06:00PM
Arrival and check-in at My Tra Hotel
07:00PM
Dinner at My Tra Hotel Restaurant
Overnight My Tra
01 AUG 06 TUESDAY
DANANG-NHA TRANG
06:30AM
Breakfast at My Tra Hotel Restaurant
07:30AM
Departure for Nha Trang
12:00PM
Lunch at a seafood restaurant en route
04:00PM
Arrival and check-in at Vien Dong Hotel
04:10PM- 7:00PM
FREE TIME (NO SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES)
07:00PM
Dinner at Vien Dong Hotel Restaurant
Overnight Nha Trang
02 AUG 06WEDNESDAY
NHA TRANG- DA LAT
07:00AM
Breakfast at Vien Dong Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM
Departure for Da Lat (with brief stopover in Phan Rang)
12:00PM
Arrival and check-in at Golf #1 Hotel
01:00PM
Lunch at Than Thuy Restaurant on the banks of Xuang Huong Lake
02:00PM
Visit Lang Biang Mountain, home of the Lat an ethnic minority group
06:00PM
Dinner at Hong Ngoc Restaurant
Overnight Da Lat
03 AUG 06THURSDAY
DA LAT
07:00AM
Breakfast at Golf #1 Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM
Visit Da Lat University and courtesy call on Rector Nguyen Huu Duc and other University officials
11:00AM
Stopover at Prenn Waterfall
12:00PM
Lunch at open-air restaurant en route
02:00PM
Visit Emperor's Palace and Love Valley
04:00PM- 06:30PM
FREE TIME (NO SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES)
07:00PM
Dinner at Golf #1 Hotel Restaurant
Overnight Da Lat
04 AUG 06FRIDAY
DA LAT-HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
07:00PM
Breakfast at Golf #1 Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM
Departure for Ho Chi Minh City
12:00PM
Lunch at Lien Do Restaurant en route
03:30PM
Arrival and check-in at Vien Dong Hotel
06:00PM
Departure for Binh Quoi Cultural Village
07:00PM
Cultural presentation (Vietnamese traditional wedding ceremony)
08:00PM
Dinner at Binh Quoi Cultural Village Restaurant
09:00PM
Return to Vien Dong Hotel
Overnight Ho Chi Minh City
05 AUG 06SATURDAY
HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
07:00AM
Breakfast at Vien Dong Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM
Departure for Tay Ninh province (near Viet Nam-Cambodia border), home of the Cao Dai, a home-grown and "exotic" Vietnamese religious sect
12:00PM
Lunch at a restaurant in Tay Ninh, en route
02:00PM
Visit Cu-Chi Tunnel complex, home and headquarters of resistance and NLF fighters during the French war of reconquest and the American war
04:00PM
Stopover at Cholon Market in Cholon, HCMC, Viet Nam 's famed Chinatown
07:00PM
Dinner at Van Xuan (Ten Thousand Springs) Restaurant
Overnight HCMC
06 SUN 06SUNDAY
HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
07:00AM
Breakfast at Vien Dong Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM-06:00PM
FREE TIME (NO SCHEDULED ACTIVITIES)
Overnight HCMC
07 AUG 06MONDAY
HO CHI MINH CITY (SAIGON)
07:00AM
Breakfast at Vien Dong Hotel Restaurant
08:00AM
Visit HCMC University of Education and courtesy call on Rector and other University officials
11:30AM
Lunch at storied Continental Hotel Restaurant
02:00PM
Visit Reunification Palace, former American Embassy in the “Republic of South Viet Nam” (a building in the same complex was inaugurated as the new US Consulate-General in Ho Chi Minh City by then Secretary of State Madeleine Albright in 1998), the War Museum, Fine Arts Museum and Notre Dame Cathedral
07:00PM
Farewell dinner and exchange of gifts at Royal Rex Court Restaurant
Overnight HCMC
08 AUG 06TUESDAY
HO CHI MINH CITY-KUALA LUMPUR
06:30AM
Breakfast at Vien Dong Hotel Restaurant
07:30AM
Assembly at Vien Dong Hotel lobby, payment of “incidentals” and check-out
08:00AM
Departure for Tan Son Nhat International Airport
09:00AM
Check-in, payment of airport departure tax and completion of other pre-departure immigration formalities at Tan Son Nhat International Airport
11:00AM
Then I'm off to visit my old room mate in Bangkok, Thailand!
The Hippies that Live Here are Wrong about Not having A/C
- Every time you move your body, you sweat
- Fans are NOT "close enough"
- What's the point of taking a shower when you start to sweat the instant you step out
- Humidity makes the sheets on your bed feel like they are always wet
- No, wait, your sheets ARE wet- with sweat
- Water into sweat time: 30 seconds
- I'm buying more gas than ever before just so I can sit in my car with the a/c on
- Time before hair spray fails: 20 minutes
- Dog hair sticks to sweaty legs, as does grass, hair, dust and lint
Single White Female
I've been answering ads for housemates from the newspaper. It has been interesting to say the least, but I found a place! Yay! My search only took two days but I made the right choice by picking this house with 3 other ladies and one guy. I saw a sign in their window yesterday while walking to school and left a note on their door (no phone numbers where given). The guy called me and I went over there later that night, with wine in hand. I open the door say my name and "I brought wine!" Everyone cheered (they had some friends over) and two hours later they took the sign down from their window. The house is really nice- completely refinished on the inside, has a/c, cable, internet and 4 really fun-loving people that I will live with for the next year. Plus, it's super close to both the campus and the bars. Downside is no closets and parking close to the house- and the rent is a bit more than I would have paid for my current place, but it is still much cheaper than living in the apartment complex I was in before. So this weekend I'm moving- yet again.
Home sweet, Home???
I have completely moved into my new place, which is why I haven't been posting anything on here lately. I now live in a house, have a bigger bedroom and no a/c. And after only a week I have everything in its place, except for decorations (pictures on the wall and such). I came Louisville this weekend to party with friends and relax by the pool- when I was awakened by a phone call this morning by my new housemate. The landlord is selling the house that I JUST moved into!!!! I have been there for 9 days and now I have to find a new place. Oh and I'm leaving for Southeast Asia on the 21st, so I might have to move before that. This gives me a whopping 12 days! Ugh.
