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Published: January 8th 2014
So, I made my escape to the place I originally intended to go to..Vietnam. All of the blogs and internet research that I have read about this country was absolutely correct so far! It is a truly amazing place with amazing food and people, in fact I have been so busy exploring the food stalls and restaurants I really haven't done anything else lol.
I got hired at the end of November for a position starting at the beginning of January teaching elementary students on a 1 year contract for what is turning out to be a pretty good company and even better recruiter! Callie is her name and she is truly awesome and has shown me so much since I arrived here and taken care of any issues I have come across. She's not the typical recruiter, she isn't just concerned about making a commission or whatever she's literally been to my house everyday since I got here to go have breakfast and chat or taking me around the city and showing me the ropes. The reason I am saying this is so if you decide to teach here in Vietnam and come across her as a recruiter she
Pork and Vegetable stir fry won't bullshit you at all she's great trust me! Anyway the school I work for provides a nice house and even a motorbike to get around between schools etc etc. I have ridden dirt bikes and 4 wheelers before but this scooter/motorbike is trickier for some reason for me lol. I feel like an ass when I see these old women and even kids flying by on theirs and I'm embarrassed lol. I took it out for the first time today and the grip accelerator is crazzzy touchy and almost wrecked the thing first time out lol, maybe I'll start off in 2nd next time.
I had my orientation with the school I'll be working for and it is TOTALLY not what I am experienced in or have done before so it's a bit..I don't know...I just felt like for 1, the system is ridiculous as far as teaching kids English it's basically a creation of some theater nut who involves singing and dancing as well as hand gestures to teach English, sure it's fun for kids, but are they learning?? I have to question that as a teacher, but I signed a contract and for this area it's
good money that I can save for my Asia adventures so I'll have to just suck it up and do it I guess.
The people are VERY VERY nice and accommodating here in Can Tho and Vietnam in general. I love the vibe I get here and know I'll like living here even though I seem to be from Jupiter considering the lengthy stares and random "Hello's" I get from a far as I walk by not to mention the giggles. I did find out an interesting fact about why so many people wear the masks when outside here, I figured it was due to the fumes and dirt as you drive the motor bike filled streets, turns out the Vietnamese cherish the white skin and HATE the sun!!! Not sure if it has always been a cultural thing or it was influenced somehow by the French or Americans that were here before. Either way it's pretty crazy when it's 85 F outside and people are covered completely from wearing socks and gloves along with masks when on a motor bike. I love the sun and love to get some color any chance I get, Maybe I am from
RiceJupiter because I'm so different lol.
Well I'll be starting work this weekend so the blogs will be less frequent until I have some time to travel to other places here. Thanks again for taking time to read! Enjoy the food pics!
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A Small Swede in the Big World
Per-Olof Persson
Good Luck...
...and have fun in Vietnam!