Xin Chao!

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One more holiday
We are biking to the beach
Lots of games to play.

It seems like ages since I've been in Vietnam and it hasn't even been a week. I think it is partly because we really haven't been doing anything since we got here in Tam Ky. I'm psyched and excited to start with our placements tomorrow. Like I may have mentioned, the workload looks pretty light. I think three days a week I'm finished up by lunch time! But that is okay. It will give me lots of time to do stuff that I never have time for like read and perhaps finally finish that cross-stitch thingy (eh, Anita!)

Oh, before I forget, here's the mailing address for the place I'm staying at for the next 6/7 weeks here in Vietnam.

01 - Huynh Ngoc Hue - Tam Ky - Quang Nam - VN
(Uy Ban Cham Soc Suc Khoe Can Bo)
Attn: Bonnie Eng

Hopefully I just transcribed that address correctly! I've no idea how to transcribe the accents/tones but I've been told it will make it here without them.

Let's see, I'll start writing some of my observations from the last couple of days...

* I predict that Tam Ky will look like a very different place in five years time. Why, do you ask? It is because it seems like every other building/home/establishment has a pile of dirt and/or bricks in front and "construction" is taking place. There are an awful lot of ditches being dug out as well. It would be interesting to see how things change and develop here over time. They are giving Vancouver a run for the money in terms of cafe's. For a small town there sure are a lot of places you can go to get a coffee.

* Curiousity. Everyone seems highly curious of our presence. I think I wrote a bit about this at the market yesterday. Walking down the street many people passing by will yell out "hey, hello!" and try and start a conversation. Usually the "hello's" are followed by a ton of giggles. I think it is just because there aren't that many foreigners that pass through Tam Ky Town.

* I will never master the Vietnamese language. It is so hard to pick up on those tones. Yes, I am tone challenged! I think I'll only be able to pick up on three of the six tones of the Vietnamese language. One of those tones being "no tone!" Yesterday's two hour lesson was so taxing on my little brain. I guess part of that had to do with the fact that I haven't been using my noggin too hard as of late. The instructor was so encouraging though. We'd repeat some words or sentences and then his response was usually something along the lines of, "above excellent!" or "perfect Vietnamese". Too funny. I hope that we get a few more language lessons because to be honest I don't really remember all that much other than "Toi la Bonnie." Which I think means my name is Bonnie. "Cam on" = thank you. I no doubt will be referring to and relying on my cheat sheets. 😊

* Food. It's been really, really great! We had pho for breakfast this morning. Lunch and dinner usually consists of a fish dish, chicken or pork dish, veggies, soup and fruit to finish it all off. Yummy! I'd better watch the consumption though because if I go to Hoi An and get some clothes made they may not fit me! lol

* More on food. It is interesting to hear everyone's eating preferences. For example, I'll eat almost anything. One person will eat everything but red meat. Another eats anything but pork. Another is vegetarian but will eat seafood. There's a vegetarian. And then another who will not eat seafood but will eat chicken. It was so funny when the chef asked if we have any special dietary needs and all of this came out. I’m sure the chef was more than baffled after talking to all of us.

* Cold showers. Now that is a good wake up call for the morning! I don't think I'll be able to get used to them but it does make for a quick shower..in and out in a flash or risk hypothermia! It'd be better if the weather was a touch warmer. That way the showers wouldn't seem so ice cold. The "water heater" I think is just a dummy unit in my opinion! But I'll stop my complaining because maybe I just have to test my patience a little and wait for some water to heat up!

Well, it is almost time for lunch so I'd better sign off now. There will definitely be more to report when I finally start my placement tomorrow. Oh yes, and we will be biking to the beach this afternoon. That will certainly be an adventure that you'll no doubt be reading about soon!

Love,
Bonnie

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Comments

[anonymous]

Update
Hi B, Wow, having Pho every morning must be wonderful. Not having to do your own cooking or grocery shopping. The whole family came down with the flu the day after you left. I've had a very light case but it is pretty tiring having to take care of a bunch of babies. J was pretty good, the first day she made N lunch, gave him a shower and then did the laundry. She did call me in a panic as the laundry detergent fell through the hole (it's suppose to). Now that I know she can do all that, I'm going to give her more responsibility. Anyways, will keep this short as I'm sure you don't want to spend all your time reading e-mail. Later, Y - Y