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Published: August 7th 2008
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Out of town
Coastal view as we leave Danang city limits and begin the climb into the Hai Van Pass. In the few weeks prior to our trip home (blog posting to follow), we played hosts to my brother Tyler and his girlfriend Jolene. Danang was the final stop on Tyler and Jo’s three-month travels that included Argentina, Peru, London, Paris, Amsterdam, Greece and Thailand.
During their visit, we tried our best to show them the highlights: navigating through traffic on a motorbike, shopping for tailored clothes in Hoi An, eating seafood on the beach, slurping noodle soup at streetside stands, sampling all flavours at the shred ice hut, awkwardly and enjoyably interacting with the locals, the pain/pleasure of a Vietnamese massage, etc.
A real highlight of their visit for me was when they observed one of kindergarten classes. While we are physically half a world away from home, I often feel that how we live and spend our days is equally far from
who we were at home, as well. That’s mostly because I’m now a teacher - and a kindergarten teacher to boot. While we can post pictures and write blog postings and tell stories about all the experiences we've had, it can't match having someone live it with us. And having Tyler and Jolene inside my
Pinkish pool
Sunset over the swimming pool at our hotel in Hue. classroom walls, watching me sing and dance and try to entertain and educate 16 children for two hours was an experience I didn’t think I would get to share with those who know me best, like my brother. Their feedback meant more to me than an above standard CELTA assessment or the observation of fellow teachers.
Anyway, moving on…
The most memorable part of their visit was a three-day trip to Hue, the ancient imperial capital of Vietnam.
Together, the four of us rode our motorbikes three hours north, over the Hai Van Pass and through a series of small towns, stopping here and there to fuel up on gas or beer and to give our backsides a little relief.
We arrived on Monday afternoon and checked into our overpriced mid-range hotel within the 2m-thick, 10km-long walls of the Citadel, where the majority of Hue’s sites and a good portion of the population reside. That night we went for a seven-course meal at a Lonely Planet pick within the Citadel walls. Hue is known for “fussy” foods, which we experienced as elaborately-plated or -crafted cuisine, such as spring rolls served on toothpicks stuck into a large
Imperial Enclosure
Entrance to the Imperial Enclosure, the citadel-within-the-citadel. peacock-shaped centerpiece and a dessert moulded to look like flowers.
Tuesday was the day for exploration - and it was HOT, about 40 degrees. In the morning, we visited the Imperial Enclosure, which once housed the emperor’s residence and other state buildings. With little shade inside the complex, we were literally melting and so moved quickly through the UNESCO World Heritage Site. All we could think of was diving into the pool at our hotel, but after a group discussion, decided we needed to make the most of our only full day in Hue and set out to find a boat for rent.
We did find a boat, fully stocked with beer, which took us up the Perfume River to visit the Thien Mu Pagoda and the Tomb of Tu Duc before heading back to the hotel for naps prior to dinner.
That night, we hit a local night club, Anh Ngoc, and later visited an after hours bar (after midnight qualifying as “after hours” in Vietnam) called Brown Eyes where the DJ let us completely decide the playlist for the night. We fueled ourselves with vodka and red bull and danced the night away. It was
Yellow brick road
Within the Imperial Enclosure, which is undergoing major restoration due to extensive bombing during the French and American wars. the most fun we’d had in months.
To keep the final part of our trip to Hue brief and not unnecessarily descriptive, we woke up Wednesday morning to learn that Tyler was very sick. After much deliberation and increasing illness, we had no choice but to rush him to the hospital - he either had alcohol poisoning or severe dehydration. After six hours, several tests and 1.2 million VND (about $80 CAD), Tyler was released. By this point, Marc and I had to cancel our evening classes, Tyler and Jolene had to reschedule their flights back to Canada and we were all forced to stay an extra night. No one cared, as my brother was okay.
While the whole scenario was extremely frightening, there were many laughs to be had afterward - like the Vietnamese doctor who was eager to practice his English with Tyler in the midst of his emergency treatment, wondering what his $1.2 mil will buy for the hospital and the absurdity that his blood alcohol level of 0.14 measured 14 hours after he had his last drink was termed “normal” by the doctor.
Ah, good times.
Enjoy the pics,
The Smiths
Tough guy
Tyler looking tough in his infamous hooded tank top, ha, ha, ha. Not so tough after a few drinks, hey Ty? Ooooh...zing!
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