When We Met Sally

• Wednesday
• Slept in because we had nothing till 10. The only time in the next few weeks this will be possible. As much as I love being here, I miss being able to have a morning or two a week to sleep in. We discussed our book. Technically it's prose poetry but it's still an interesting read since most Westerners would have no idea what the characters are talking about most of the time. 
• We were invited to have lunch at one of the teachers houses. I was really scared that we were going to be served dog but instead we got shrimp cakes made out of sticky rice (they call those cakes over here), beef salad, pork noodle soup and grapes. We all wanted to slip into a food coma afterwards but we had to go on a field trip. 
• Our guides met us right by the teachers house and we rode in the van with them. Most of us started talking with them, Niko was very excited to find out one of them was studying German since he speaks it 'fluently'. We went on a tour of the old district in stretch golf carts and part of the way through the trip the Winos' cart got a flat tire and we had to wait for a replacement vehicle to show up. The girls we were with were very friendly and liked to take our picture. And then get in the picture. Move a few feet and take another picture. It got somewhat tiring. Then we went back to the beginning of the 'tour' and they took us out for cake. Most of us got something in addition to the cake so we were there for some time. One girl just rubbed me the wrong way from the moment I met her and since I can't remember her name I've taken to calling her Sally. 
• Sally found out we had no plans in the evening and made the group take us out for cheese sticks. We were stuffed from lunch and whatever we had consumed at the cafe but the cheese was so good we all got one down. Then our guides convinced us out for karaoke. We went in a cab to a close by karaoke bar and had a bit of cultural shock. Your group gets your own room and you can scream or dance your heart out for as long as you want. I got to show off my Gangnam Style dance skills and sing "Beauty and the Beast." Lilith spend the whole time sitting on the couch glaring at us all.
• After we left the bar they wanted to take us out for food. They didn't give us a choice in the matter. Again we took a taxi to the really close by restaurant where most of us ate these delicious rice pancakes with chicken inside them and shaved shrimp on top. We were finally released but then they suddenly wanted us to split the day long bill. Sally is trying to plan more time with us but I was glad to get away from her. For now.
• One thing I did edit out was how completely disgusting and rude Lilith was today. She actually belched at one of the Vietnamese students. Her behavior ranged from obnoxious to 'I was raised in a cave by monkeys'. The students were very concerned that she wasn't having fun.
• Thursday
• We were dragged out of bed super early to go on yet another field trip. This group was the opposite of yesterday, they didn't want any pictures and at points we were divided into the English speakers and the Vietnamese speakers. They didn't explain where we were going and after we left the first place we visited I was told it was the palace of the King before the French came in and knocked it down. The coolest part was the bomb shelter. Other than that it started raining and all of us were tired and somewhat anti-social. 
• The second place we visited was called the Temple of Literature. One of the landmarks of Hanoi was there, along with many girls in the traditional Vietnamese costume taking pictures. We ran into some other native English speakers and realized how much of an accent different parts of America have. 
• We were brought back to the school and had lunch. Interesting cultural experience: Donna and I ordered ovaltine milkshakes and we got this weird yogurt drink back. Going to avoid that drink next time. Ate all of my meal using chopsticks. Mine was chicken that was still on the bone and steamed rice but I rose to the challenge and completed it. 
• We thought our teacher was a half hour late but we were a half hour early. I have to chug two cups of coffee to stay awake during class because of her teaching style. She seems really nice but I will be glad to be done with Vietnamese as soon as possible. 
• Came back to the hotel and napped for a few hours. Yesterday was definitely more interesting. 

Woman selling goods in the street.

Our lead guide, Deanna and Donna in the backseat of our stretched 'golf cart'.

Caught the Princesses posing in a perfect as we drove by. The girl in front is Sally. 

The ducklings on top of the cafe. It was super bright out so I'm not sure why it looks like the sun is setting. 

Some of Hanoi from the top of the cafe. 

The Winos at the cafe, finishing off some sweets. 

Us at the cheese stick restaurant. They gave you sticks to put the cheese on along with ketchup (a word some of the students didn't know) and chili sauce. Ketchup was more popular.

The first place we went to. This is just the first part, there was more behind it. 

I greatly enjoyed this pot. 

A landmark of Hanoi. The king would sit in the gate and read poetry and philosophy to the people. It was the first school in Vietnam.

They used to write the names of doctors on these tombstones which are on the backs of turtles. The problem is the names are written in Chinese so the young people can't read what it says.

The traditional dress of Vietnam. 

A wishing wall. You write your wish with your finger. I hope it understood English. 

Picture Count: 9                    They may have taken pictures of us today but I didn't notice.