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Published: June 30th 2007
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Saturday 30 June
Woke up this morning to the sound of the continually honking of the horns (let me through please) and the motor bikes zipping in and out. It is quite early and already the roads are very busy with people travelling to work or taking their children to school or day care centres. The smell of the food being cooked out on the pavements is making me hungry. Tung collected me and I popped into the DaNang orphanage for malnourished children and one of the little boys that was there last year, raced over to me and grabbed me and hugged and smiled. What a wonderful feeling to think that he still remembered me. The "mothers" were very excited to see me as well. I only had a brief visit there to say my hello and then headed to the volunteer house for breakfast with the volunteers there. After breakfast a few of us went to the orphanage and stayed and gave the babies and toddlers cuddles.
I went to the hotel with another motor cyclist as not sure what happened in the conversation I had with Tung but he did not turn up which is quite unusual so
I guess his "sorry, sorry" meant that he could not pick me up. I decided to change hotels so as to be closer to the orphanage. Next thing was to get all my luggage from A to B. My case was still extremely heavy but after a few tries to fit it on the front of the bike (Brenda actually was right on this one) the driver decided it would be better on the back so he raced off to get some twine and after that piece of luggage was secure, the other bag fitted on the front and off he went to the hotel and then he returned to take me and the rest of the luggage. Stayed at the DaNang Hotel and was a huge room. As well as the king bed there was also a lounge suite so I was able to spread my things out and do some sorting out.
I then walked down to the orphanage and fed and changed a couple of the babies before I got Uyen, another motorbike rider to take me to the volunteer house. It had started to rain and I couldn't find my raincoat so he stopped and got
one for me. Dinner was a huge spread as usual. Met some more volunteers that were arriving from other parts of the world. Uyen then took me home to meet his wife and son and then back to the hotel and eventually put myself to bed.
Sunday 1st July
Well, this is the day that we all start our programs officially. Was picked up and taken to a cafe where there were over 30 volunteers to commence their programs. After a scruptuous breakfast spread the orientation commenced. It was a very special occasion as Global Volunteer Network had its 3rd anniversary. Viet, our Manager, was very proud of the progress that GVN has made in those three years. He told us how he was the only one that was attempting to get the programs up and running and now he has some staff to assist. He has certainly done a wonderful job and you can tell that he was quite emotional on reflecting the beginning of GVN in July 2004.
We stayed at the orientation session and was given a 2 hour lesson on the language. I certainly find it difficult with the 6 tones of Vietnamese language but hope
to add to my vocabulary.
We were all excited to be going to the different areas of placements and our group left at 4.20pm for Hue, north of DaNang - 2 hours drive. As usual, we were in very thick traffic but as we headed out into the countryside it thinned. The scenery along the way was just magnificent. We passed through many little villages, wonderful views back to DaNang and there were mountains all around. In one particular spot looked quite spectacular with a double rainbow beaming down. We passed through Lanco Beach and I had fond memories of a lovely weekend I had with two volunteers from last year, Sandie and Ros. Passed through a 7kms tunnel and then out into the bright sunshine. Along the way, the rice fields were just the greenest of green and many workers were bent over tending the rice. Lots of water buffalo and palms and banana trees and other thick foliage - one minute you were high up on the Hai Van Pass and then next travelling along the sea. Just beautiful.
We arrived in Hue and crossed over the Perfume River - more fond memories for me - and brough
to our "home" for the next month.
Next thing - yes, you may have guessed - another feed and then Hilary, David (reluctantly leaving on Tuesday as has just finished his placement here) and Nicola went kite flying, Barrett, Suzanne and I stayed back. Both Barrett and Suzanne were feeling quite tired so went to bed. There is another volunteer, Duc who is also on the program but he is staying with his grandparents. He lives in America and has returned to Vietnam after six years.
When the kite fliers returned, they continued with an ongoing jigsaw puzzle and I went through names for this little week old girl who is nameless at the moment. I chose a name yesterday, but misunderstood that they asked me for a Western name for her and I had cleverly picked two Vietnamese names. It is quite a lengthy process trying to come up with an appropriate name and its meaning. I have chosen Olivia Grace - Olivia meaning "peace" - from the olive branch (my mother's name is Olive and she will be 99 this month) and Grace means "blessing from God" so hope that Olivia Grace is accepted.
So, tomorrow it is
off to see our new "working" places and to meet the children and see the babies.
It is quite late now and as usual the last one to bed so I had better just leave here and go to bed. It is quite warm and don't feel at all tired but tomorrow may be a different story.
Bye for this time.
Image captions:
1. In Danang
Danang surrounds
2. In Danang
This is the reason I am in Vietnam - to volunteer at the orphanages
3. In Danang orphanage
The Vinamilk is a real hit with the little ones
4. In Danang orphanage
This is little Olivia Grace - the week old baby that didn't have a name so I was asked by the orphanage to give her a Western name
5. In Danang
Big celebration for the organisation I am volunteering through. It is their 3rd anniversary.
6. Travelling to Hue
Heading through the tunnel - 7kms long - between DaNang and Hue
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