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Published: December 4th 2012
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Sunday was the earliest start yet. I was meeting Be, HIV project manager, at the central bus station at 8am. Naturally I woke up at 6am, thinking I had heaps of time, only to fall back asleep.
When I woke at 7:40, I rushed to Ben Thanh (markets near bus station where only tourists shop - relatively more expensive). There I met Be and two of the HIV interns (who are leaving soon) - a Japanese guy and a Swiss girl.
We were catching the bus to Saigon's Technology University, unfortunately missing our stop. Be was very embarassed, but we didnt mind that much. The Technology University is very large (though not as big as Usyd) and is solely dedicated to computer sciences, engineering and I.T. (I was told it was 85% male, some things never change).
Their football field had the smallest penalty area i had ever seen (about half the size of the goal area). There is a focus here on sustainable development which is perculiar (and a good sign for the future) given that environmental awareness is comparatively low (given that Vietnam's main priority is to kickstart their economy).
The two interns conducted the
workshop (I was there as an observer, to see what would have to be covered for the workshops when they have left). Most of the content was similar to sex education we receive in Australia in Year 6, since it is still taboo in Vietnam to discuss these issues, the students (18/19) had a very limited understanding, particularly in regards to HIV. Discrimination is still prevalent, as described by the Japanese intern who had visited an orphanage where HIV positive children are kept segregated from other children in the village.
I spoke with one of the students, who wished to practise his English and we had a good chat about various differences between our countries. The entire workshop was very interactive which allowed the students to practise their English. Their English was quite good, especially since that it is not mandated for students of technology disciplines to learn English (unlike for most of the FTU AIESECers who study economics).
Afterwards, we headed to a nearby place for food (and iced tea) which was egg, beef, spinach and rice. I must confess I wasn't a big egg fan before I arrived in Vietnam, but the way they cook it
makes it very tasty. But the special treat was a plate of watermelon afterwards. The climate here, being so tropical, is naturally perfect for all my favourite fruits.
After lunch, we decided to head to a karaoke place (of course). They all have exceptional voices and I can barely sing at all. Corinne (the Swiss Intern) and I found the song selection very funny cause it was really cheesy, soppy stuff of boybands like Westlife. Hieu seemed to know all of them quite well :P
Karaoke was followed by a walk to the Post Office where we would meet Victor. Victor is an AIESEC intern from Brazil who rented a motorbike, left it in unsecure parking and lost it (presumed stolen). As such, he had one week to raise the money to pay off the owner of the motorbike ($500). He managed to do it through selling postcards and telling people about his story (which led him to develop a new found respect for street vendors - he always wishes them luck even though he doesn't purchase their wares). He has spent most of his youth overseas, going from continent to continent on different AIESEC internships. When we
saw him, he was counting out the money (10million Vietnamese Dong) in lots of small notes for the owner.
He was still smiling and happy, even though he was losing a significant amount of money. Though it must be said, he was getting his passport back (which is held as a bond by motorbike owners). He cracked a few jokes saying the owner should buy us all coffee (needless to say the owner wasn't amused).
Victor took a number of us (all AIESEC interns on various projects) to a Hindu temple which he spent a lot of time at, meditating. The tile artwork was extremely intricate. The top of the temple had a great view of the tallest tower in Saigon (which costs 10dollars to be taken to the top level) and the sunset. The Hindu influence certainly seems strong on Vietnamese culture in terms of values, even though there are few practising Hindus in Vietnam.
We headed off to bui vien (the street with bars and clubs that I went to on Tuesday). In the park, near Ben Thanh markets, hundreds of people of all ages were playing a hacky sack type juggling game except using
a shuttlecock-esque device. Vendors were selling them throughout the park.
As we finished our drinks, we noticed a man on a pink bike trying to get it started. Each time the engine spluttered to life, he kept talking to presumably his friends and the engine would die again (we all found it quite funny). Eventually he got it started and we all cheered.
We headed for one of the small food places and got some beef and noodles (simple but satisfying). We said our goodbyes (since it was nearing the time when buses ceased for the evening) and one of them, Julius, gave me his business card (quite common in Vietnam).
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