Well, here I am, last weekend in Tam Ky. I'm excited to go home, I'm already making lists for what kind of food I want to devour once I get there
(smoked salmon on a bagel, nachos, something with stuffing, bbq, a familiar burger)
and I'm looking forward to the friends that I haven't seen in 2 months, sometimes more.
We are planning on stopping into the orphanages one more time. It's going to be weird saying goodbye. I mean, I did say my biggest goodbye to Hong a week and a half ago, but I still really loved the rest of the kids.
Our cooks are amazing too. I dont think I've talked about them enough. Grandma is quite traditional, she speaks hardly any english but can get her point across with a lkot of pointing and gentle laugh at the end. Her calm demeanor and sweet sniff kisses are enough to show us her personality. (Just yesterday she said Ba yeu Dani which mean grandma loves me!) You can't push Grandma around though, a little while ago, a man grabbed her chest at the beach and she punched him right in the face.
Mrs Haun is Grandma's daughter in law and stands about 4'8. She is trying very hard to learn english, and has gotten pretty good at it. We know that it's time to eat when we hear her bellow 'everybody!'Otherwise, it took a few daystounderstand her pidgon english, but after a few weeks I can communicate with her no problem. Her sentences are adorable, eg. Dani eat very small! you no like eat? (meaning why arent you eating very much, do you not like the food?)
I'm going to miss the two of them a lot.
At the same time, I miss my own grandmother, my friends and my family... I think I'm ready to go back.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Sunday, June 22, 2008
A Quiet Sunday Afternoon. (not published till Friday Afternoon... oops)
Things have been pretty crazy around here recently. The older kids from the B.O. left on Thursday for Hoi An, just a few days after Hong left. This leaves the Baby Orphanage with a lot of crying mothers, 2 lonely children who will be adopted soon and a bunch of kids under the age of 5 (including 2 children who were seperated from their older siblings). The orphanage has changed from being my favorite place to go, to my least favorite of the orphanages.
We visited the Hoi An orphanage... and it's horrible. In one room there are 30 children with birth defects (most due to agent orange). It was a horrible sight, they were confined to their beds, some tied down, most of them werent wearing underwear. One child had a head that was larger than their body. I guess the swelling expanded it, but it looked like something out of a Sci Fi movie.
Some of our kids were doing better than others adjusting to the new orphanage. Kieu, thankfully was doing fine, a little quiet, but she's ok. I was thoroughly worried that she would be called autistic again and them send her somewhere away from her friends. But others, not so much. Lieu and Lan were very upset, crying asking Carrie to take her home, Diem wouldn't get out of her room and see us or eat the fruit we bought. She was scared to leave because a few days earlier, one of the mother's beat her with a stick. It was really hard for all of us, I dont think that a single one of us got through that day without crying.
I came back on Saturday, watched some movies with Rosie and just had a quiet night in, eating ice cream and mixing up some Tang. Rosie went to the Catholic Church in Tam Ky (she knows the traditions but not all the words in Vietnamese). So here I am, quiet afternoon, reading some comics and listening to 'Danielle's Faves' which I uploaded to the computer. It's not too bad.
We visited the Hoi An orphanage... and it's horrible. In one room there are 30 children with birth defects (most due to agent orange). It was a horrible sight, they were confined to their beds, some tied down, most of them werent wearing underwear. One child had a head that was larger than their body. I guess the swelling expanded it, but it looked like something out of a Sci Fi movie.
Some of our kids were doing better than others adjusting to the new orphanage. Kieu, thankfully was doing fine, a little quiet, but she's ok. I was thoroughly worried that she would be called autistic again and them send her somewhere away from her friends. But others, not so much. Lieu and Lan were very upset, crying asking Carrie to take her home, Diem wouldn't get out of her room and see us or eat the fruit we bought. She was scared to leave because a few days earlier, one of the mother's beat her with a stick. It was really hard for all of us, I dont think that a single one of us got through that day without crying.
I came back on Saturday, watched some movies with Rosie and just had a quiet night in, eating ice cream and mixing up some Tang. Rosie went to the Catholic Church in Tam Ky (she knows the traditions but not all the words in Vietnamese). So here I am, quiet afternoon, reading some comics and listening to 'Danielle's Faves' which I uploaded to the computer. It's not too bad.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Hong's Last Day
So apparently Ive been spelling her name wrong the whole time. It's "Hong" with some accents. Anyways, she left Monday afternoon with her new American Family. I got to play with her all morning (to see pictures, click here)
I was really sad when we left after our moning session and I thought it was my last time seeing her because she was supposed to leave that afternoon.
Thankfully when we arrived in the afternoon do give the kids a special meal(they are so malnourished sometimes we cook something huge to help out)she hadn't left yet. As we drove in, the van to take her away was sitting in the parking lot. We kinda blocked the van in, and I chatted with the parents for a bit. (chatted-uncasually with tears in my eyes).
They seemed really ok. The father kept telling me that he thought we were doing a good thing helping the children out, and the mother reassured me that Hong was going to a good place. They started asking me questions about her, which made me even more sad. Like, they don't even know her yet. They have no clue how wonderful she is. I told them how quiet and sweet she is, that she tends to shy away from other kids, doesn't speak english very well but is very excited to go to America. The father laughed and said 'we were worried about having to drag her away, but she walked right out and sat in the van'. She sat there with her bag in hand (she loves keeping things in bags) and blew me kisses and waved goodbye.
After the door closed, one of the kids ran up to me, book in hand, and was like 'mai mai' (they call me 'american' in vietnamese). Hong nearly left her book behind. I didn't sleep all Sunday night because I was so fidgety so I sat at the computer and printed pictures off of her, some friends, Carrie and I so that she would have some pictures of her time at the orphanage. Thankfully, they opened the door back up and Hong looked really excited to have her book back.
Well, she's off to a new place, new family, new everything. I'm excited for her, I know this is the best opportunity for her. I hope everything works out really well.
hug
I'm adding a link for the pics of our trip to Hue. Go back and take a look if you are interested.
I was really sad when we left after our moning session and I thought it was my last time seeing her because she was supposed to leave that afternoon.
Thankfully when we arrived in the afternoon do give the kids a special meal(they are so malnourished sometimes we cook something huge to help out)she hadn't left yet. As we drove in, the van to take her away was sitting in the parking lot. We kinda blocked the van in, and I chatted with the parents for a bit. (chatted-uncasually with tears in my eyes).
They seemed really ok. The father kept telling me that he thought we were doing a good thing helping the children out, and the mother reassured me that Hong was going to a good place. They started asking me questions about her, which made me even more sad. Like, they don't even know her yet. They have no clue how wonderful she is. I told them how quiet and sweet she is, that she tends to shy away from other kids, doesn't speak english very well but is very excited to go to America. The father laughed and said 'we were worried about having to drag her away, but she walked right out and sat in the van'. She sat there with her bag in hand (she loves keeping things in bags) and blew me kisses and waved goodbye.
After the door closed, one of the kids ran up to me, book in hand, and was like 'mai mai' (they call me 'american' in vietnamese). Hong nearly left her book behind. I didn't sleep all Sunday night because I was so fidgety so I sat at the computer and printed pictures off of her, some friends, Carrie and I so that she would have some pictures of her time at the orphanage. Thankfully, they opened the door back up and Hong looked really excited to have her book back.
Well, she's off to a new place, new family, new everything. I'm excited for her, I know this is the best opportunity for her. I hope everything works out really well.
hug
I'm adding a link for the pics of our trip to Hue. Go back and take a look if you are interested.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Decision is final....
She is leaving tomorrow.
Man this has been a rollercoaster for me. One little girl, I dont know why such a little girl makes such a big difference in my life. One, beautiful little 8 year old girl. Her American family is picking her up early tomorrow morning. You can tell she doesn't know what to think about it. She will miss her friends, (who are kinda jealous) but knows she has a crazy adventure in front of her.
I'm excited for her, I know I should be, but its so sudden. I wish I knew earlier, I'm trying to think of a goodbye present, or print off some pictures and stuff. I wish I had known earlier so I could have gotten real pictures printed off instead of crappy black and white ones.
I should be more excited for her. It's not about me, not about me, not about me. She's off to a place where she will get fed a ton more, and have a real little sister, and two parents to look after her. I just wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. I thought I was leaving first. I guess this is exactly what the kids go through every time one of us goes home, eh? We go, they stay...
Man this has been a rollercoaster for me. One little girl, I dont know why such a little girl makes such a big difference in my life. One, beautiful little 8 year old girl. Her American family is picking her up early tomorrow morning. You can tell she doesn't know what to think about it. She will miss her friends, (who are kinda jealous) but knows she has a crazy adventure in front of her.
I'm excited for her, I know I should be, but its so sudden. I wish I knew earlier, I'm trying to think of a goodbye present, or print off some pictures and stuff. I wish I had known earlier so I could have gotten real pictures printed off instead of crappy black and white ones.
I should be more excited for her. It's not about me, not about me, not about me. She's off to a place where she will get fed a ton more, and have a real little sister, and two parents to look after her. I just wasn't ready to say goodbye yet. I thought I was leaving first. I guess this is exactly what the kids go through every time one of us goes home, eh? We go, they stay...
Weekend in DaNang: Day 2
The parentals are requesting pictures.
I figured I would start everyone off with a picture of my future husband. His name is Chan, he works at Pizza Plus, he is twenty five, can do sign language, read and write in English AND Vietnamese. I think I count that as knowing three languages.
He is the funniest person that I have never heard speak.
Anyways, We went to Pizza Plus (a restaurant in DaNang which hires young people who are hearing impared, teaches them sign language and cooking/serving skills). Amazing place. This was my second time there, hanging out with Nga (a girl who used to live an orphanage we work at) and Chan, the beautiful waiter boy who entertained us all the last time we went. I love it there. The food is decent, but the atmosphere is beautiful. I don't know what else to say.
To see more pictures of my weekend, click here
P.S. No I'm not actually getting married, I am coming home in two weeks... don't worry dad, you are still my number 1. Happy Father's Day!!!!
Weekend in DaNang: Day 1
While all my Canadian friends went to Nha Trang, I spent the weekend with a few Australians (Carrie and Paul). We started off with a crazy bus ride and a woman threatening to kick us off unless we pay more than everyone else on the bus.
Our hotel didn't work out because they gave us two single beds for three people. I mean, I don't mind sharing a normal sized bed, but Carrie and I didn't feel like spooning that night. The front desk staff refused to give us a new room, or tell us where another hotel was close by.
We left, went to Tam's Bar (owned by a lady Paul already knew) and asked her for some help. This woman is amazing, she has taken in about 7 children into her home, owns a restaurant, and uses the profits to help people who live up in the mountains, buying them clean water and showing them how to farm. We asked her to help us find a new hotel where the three of us could stay. She stayed silent for a moment, (I got worried we were intruding) and she jumped up and left.
A few minutes later she said that she got us a nice room in a hotel just down the street. Done deal.
I met a 16 year old American boy who was adopted from Vietnam when he was 2 who worked at Tam's place and he told me he would take me out surfing the next day.
So I was up, (not so early) and out in my bathingsuit, tank top and ready to go. The board I used was huuuge (the little guy carried it for me) but apparently the bigger the board, the easier because it is more likely to catch a wave (or just float). So I paddled around for a while, learned how to stand up. The waves were really small so I didn't do anything impressive, but I went home after a few hours with a bit of a sun burn and a huge board burn on my stomach. Yeah, I'm that cool.
Our hotel didn't work out because they gave us two single beds for three people. I mean, I don't mind sharing a normal sized bed, but Carrie and I didn't feel like spooning that night. The front desk staff refused to give us a new room, or tell us where another hotel was close by.
We left, went to Tam's Bar (owned by a lady Paul already knew) and asked her for some help. This woman is amazing, she has taken in about 7 children into her home, owns a restaurant, and uses the profits to help people who live up in the mountains, buying them clean water and showing them how to farm. We asked her to help us find a new hotel where the three of us could stay. She stayed silent for a moment, (I got worried we were intruding) and she jumped up and left.
A few minutes later she said that she got us a nice room in a hotel just down the street. Done deal.
I met a 16 year old American boy who was adopted from Vietnam when he was 2 who worked at Tam's place and he told me he would take me out surfing the next day.
So I was up, (not so early) and out in my bathingsuit, tank top and ready to go. The board I used was huuuge (the little guy carried it for me) but apparently the bigger the board, the easier because it is more likely to catch a wave (or just float). So I paddled around for a while, learned how to stand up. The waves were really small so I didn't do anything impressive, but I went home after a few hours with a bit of a sun burn and a huge board burn on my stomach. Yeah, I'm that cool.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
She loves me, she loves me not, she loves me she loves me not, SHE LOVES ME
I am really upset about the kids moving, but I had an awsome day with the kids so I wanted to write it in a seperate entry. Huong and I chilled out again today, she's getting better at not being jealous of the other kids that want to play with me too. Before, she would get mad at me, but now she's a bit better. She showed me pictures today of the American family who is adopting her. Her house is beautiful and they already have a younger Vietnamese girl to be her sister. Huong seems to think that I am from where her 'family' is from, (she calls me mai which means american). I do my best to correct her, saying my name is Dani, not American. Somedays it works. Anyways, she sat on my lap, showed me pictures of her mother, father, sister and house-to-be with a very excited look on her face.
Carrie (who speaks a little Vietnamese) asked Huong if she loves Co (teacher) pointing at me and Huong nodded her head enthusiastically. SHE LOVES ME!!! haha I think it's wonderful.
Also, one girl Phoung, was saying Co sao, Co sao which means 'teacher ugly, teacher ugly' and Huong replied 'Dani dep, Dani dep' (dep means beautiful). I love her soooo much. Sigh, getting attached to the kids was much too easy.
I'm glad she will be around for my last few weeks... it might make the other kids leaving a little little bit easier.
Update on the kids moving
This whole situation with the kids leaving soon has been very confusing for me. They were supposed to be gone on the first of June so I thought I did my goodbyes etc, but every day I showed up, the older kids were still there, at the Baby Orphanage.
Apparently they are now leaving in 5 days. I'm glad I had more time with them, but we are all a little upset about them going to a new place in Hoi An. Carrie and some of the other volunteers went and checkedthe place out... and it wasn't so good. They had 30 kids with different types of mental and physical disabilities all in one small room, tied to beds and stuff. I don't know what the rest of the facility is like (except it's huge) but I hope they will do alright there.
I'm scared for some of the kids because they are seperating from their best friends, family and especially one volunteer, Carrie. She loves the kids, has been here since September and they keep asking her if she is moving to Hoi An with them... which she can't.
From the sounds of things, Huong (my fave) is staying at the Baby Orphanage because she is getting adopted soon by an American family.
Kieu is leaving though. I couldn't believe they would do that to her. She is finally getting out of her shell, talking to me, hugging me, coming out to the common room to see the rest of the kids, and they are taking her away from her friends, and all the people she is comfortable with. She has a few little friends she will be leaving behind, and I just can't see such a drastic change being good for her again, she might go right back to how she was before: completely unresponsive.
Apparently they are now leaving in 5 days. I'm glad I had more time with them, but we are all a little upset about them going to a new place in Hoi An. Carrie and some of the other volunteers went and checkedthe place out... and it wasn't so good. They had 30 kids with different types of mental and physical disabilities all in one small room, tied to beds and stuff. I don't know what the rest of the facility is like (except it's huge) but I hope they will do alright there.
I'm scared for some of the kids because they are seperating from their best friends, family and especially one volunteer, Carrie. She loves the kids, has been here since September and they keep asking her if she is moving to Hoi An with them... which she can't.
From the sounds of things, Huong (my fave) is staying at the Baby Orphanage because she is getting adopted soon by an American family.
Kieu is leaving though. I couldn't believe they would do that to her. She is finally getting out of her shell, talking to me, hugging me, coming out to the common room to see the rest of the kids, and they are taking her away from her friends, and all the people she is comfortable with. She has a few little friends she will be leaving behind, and I just can't see such a drastic change being good for her again, she might go right back to how she was before: completely unresponsive.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Hue-y
Hue was beautiful, I really wasn't sure what to expect for the festival, but we sure had fun. We arrived on Friday and wandered around the town which was lit up beautifully and decorated all over. Large water lillies and horses were hanging from the street lights, but we couldn't find any kites! Apparently the kite part of the festival is no longer important, but it is still a celebration.
We drove for hours to get there, and went through a looooong tunnel straight through a mountain, it poured rain up through the mountains, but our driver is pretty cool and we arrived safely. We went into our hotel (2 stars) and were amazed with how gross it was. Now I usually travel with my family and they tend to get decent hotels... this was not. Under the bed has not been swept in years, there was water damage all over the walls, which smelled like mold, and there were cigarette burns in our sheets. We made the best of it by throwing our sheets in a corner, getting new ones from the front desk and hoped for no bed bugs.
We had a little mishap on our first night; we were following a map of the city and tried to go in to the square (where all the action was) through the first entrance we found. We were a little confused with the looks that the security guards in green uniforms were giving us but continued on. One guard put his hand up and commanded us to "STOP". Apparently we were trying to sneek in on the private communist party and they did not appreciate it at all. I was scared that we were going to get in big trouble, but we were just escorted out and directed towards the "citizen's" entrance.
We walked around for a while, saw some beautiful buildings, sat on some cannons, went home no problem.
The next day was beautiful, we went on a boat tour, stopped by an old "king'" tomb. (Quotations marks are there because it is quite possible it was a woman pretending to be a king, which I think is wwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cooler) haha. We also went to a Buddhist meditation place which was really beautiful too.
Anyways, next weekend Da Nang?
We drove for hours to get there, and went through a looooong tunnel straight through a mountain, it poured rain up through the mountains, but our driver is pretty cool and we arrived safely. We went into our hotel (2 stars) and were amazed with how gross it was. Now I usually travel with my family and they tend to get decent hotels... this was not. Under the bed has not been swept in years, there was water damage all over the walls, which smelled like mold, and there were cigarette burns in our sheets. We made the best of it by throwing our sheets in a corner, getting new ones from the front desk and hoped for no bed bugs.
We had a little mishap on our first night; we were following a map of the city and tried to go in to the square (where all the action was) through the first entrance we found. We were a little confused with the looks that the security guards in green uniforms were giving us but continued on. One guard put his hand up and commanded us to "STOP". Apparently we were trying to sneek in on the private communist party and they did not appreciate it at all. I was scared that we were going to get in big trouble, but we were just escorted out and directed towards the "citizen's" entrance.
We walked around for a while, saw some beautiful buildings, sat on some cannons, went home no problem.
The next day was beautiful, we went on a boat tour, stopped by an old "king'" tomb. (Quotations marks are there because it is quite possible it was a woman pretending to be a king, which I think is wwwwwwwwwaaaaaaaaaaaaaay cooler) haha. We also went to a Buddhist meditation place which was really beautiful too.
Anyways, next weekend Da Nang?
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Kites are fun
So I'm headoing off to Hue in a couple of hours. There is a Kite Festival that happens every two years and it is pretty huge. Singing, Dancing all over the city, I'm pretty excited to go.
This past week has been pretty awsome. The new volunteers are totally kickass and I'm enjoying getting to know them. Kieu is getting better day by day. (I'm trying not to get my hopes up though). Today she even met me in the common room. She's sitting on my lap, remembers our handshake after she's done a puzzle and gives me kisses. Today all of us girls hung out in the back room. Huong is starting to get along with the other girls better.
Today was halirous! We were all sitting around and one girl started waving her hand in front of her nose. I took a big whiff and found out that one of the girls totally farted! It stunk really badly so all the girls started waving their hands in front of their noses. After a second, Trinh hopped up and started wiggling her butt at us, claiming that it was totally her.
I laughed so hard I couldn't stop. I just couldnt. The girls were rolling on the floor, giggling and waving their hands in front of their noses.
I guess kids everywhere think farts are funny. International Humour.
This past week has been pretty awsome. The new volunteers are totally kickass and I'm enjoying getting to know them. Kieu is getting better day by day. (I'm trying not to get my hopes up though). Today she even met me in the common room. She's sitting on my lap, remembers our handshake after she's done a puzzle and gives me kisses. Today all of us girls hung out in the back room. Huong is starting to get along with the other girls better.
Today was halirous! We were all sitting around and one girl started waving her hand in front of her nose. I took a big whiff and found out that one of the girls totally farted! It stunk really badly so all the girls started waving their hands in front of their noses. After a second, Trinh hopped up and started wiggling her butt at us, claiming that it was totally her.
I laughed so hard I couldn't stop. I just couldnt. The girls were rolling on the floor, giggling and waving their hands in front of their noses.
I guess kids everywhere think farts are funny. International Humour.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
A Day out with the Home of Affection
I was super excited today when we were planning on taking the children from Home of Affection out for a day. They don't get a chance to get out of the orphanage often so it was pretty special. It took a while to get permission from the orphanage director but we were able to get permission for the kids to go to a mini amusement park, then a pool and eat out at a noodle house. The amusement park was fine, some sketchy rides, and a big fun room of balls. Then we went to the pool.
It's normal for the kids to not have real bathingsuits so we all swam in our shorts and t-shirts. From the beginning we figured out that the local kids might be a bit of a problem. Catrina started taking her dress off and some boys that were dropped off by their 'normal' families started pointing and laughing at her. I just hopped in with a tank top and a pair of board shorts and didnt really notice what was going on around me. It wasn't until they started picking on our cook's young teenage son neighbor's son (who is severely mentally challenged) that I figured out what kind of kids we were dealing with. I was at the other end of the pool and they started pushing him around, then pulled his swimming shorts and underwear down to his knees. He was so embarassed he just pulled them up and ran away.
I felt so horrible because I couldn't do anything about it. I shouted at the teenagers that did it, and glared at them but they just shrugged their shoulders because they didn't know what I was saying.
Later on in the deeper end, I was showing Linh how to swim. She's 14 years old, has really good english and is just a sweetie. While I was teaching her to swim the same boys were pointing and laughing because she couldn't swim yet, but I told her to ignore them. Then, one boy swam under the water, grabbed her feet, then came up above the water and started hitting her. I grabbed his arm and yelled 'Dun Lai' which means "STOP IT" but I guess my pronounciation was wrong or something and he waived his hands and shrugged his shoulders like he didn't understand.
I hate not being able to say anything to kids while they are being jerks. I know we have ignorant kids in Canada, but at least if they are being really rude or hurtful to someone, I can rip a piece out of them and tell them to stop. This time I just had to watch and talk gibberish to them while they laughed.
I looked at Linh and said "i have to get out of here" and hopped out of the pool. I told David that "I want to go home" and he drove me back to the GVN house so we could get ready for the Economic Zone a little earlier.
I'm still not over it. I wish that Linh had stood up for herself, it makes me wonder what kind of shit the kids go through when they are at school and if she really thinks that she doesn't deserve better than that because she doesn't have any parents?
I don't know... but it's really hard.
It's normal for the kids to not have real bathingsuits so we all swam in our shorts and t-shirts. From the beginning we figured out that the local kids might be a bit of a problem. Catrina started taking her dress off and some boys that were dropped off by their 'normal' families started pointing and laughing at her. I just hopped in with a tank top and a pair of board shorts and didnt really notice what was going on around me. It wasn't until they started picking on our cook's young teenage son neighbor's son (who is severely mentally challenged) that I figured out what kind of kids we were dealing with. I was at the other end of the pool and they started pushing him around, then pulled his swimming shorts and underwear down to his knees. He was so embarassed he just pulled them up and ran away.
I felt so horrible because I couldn't do anything about it. I shouted at the teenagers that did it, and glared at them but they just shrugged their shoulders because they didn't know what I was saying.
Later on in the deeper end, I was showing Linh how to swim. She's 14 years old, has really good english and is just a sweetie. While I was teaching her to swim the same boys were pointing and laughing because she couldn't swim yet, but I told her to ignore them. Then, one boy swam under the water, grabbed her feet, then came up above the water and started hitting her. I grabbed his arm and yelled 'Dun Lai' which means "STOP IT" but I guess my pronounciation was wrong or something and he waived his hands and shrugged his shoulders like he didn't understand.
I hate not being able to say anything to kids while they are being jerks. I know we have ignorant kids in Canada, but at least if they are being really rude or hurtful to someone, I can rip a piece out of them and tell them to stop. This time I just had to watch and talk gibberish to them while they laughed.
I looked at Linh and said "i have to get out of here" and hopped out of the pool. I told David that "I want to go home" and he drove me back to the GVN house so we could get ready for the Economic Zone a little earlier.
I'm still not over it. I wish that Linh had stood up for herself, it makes me wonder what kind of shit the kids go through when they are at school and if she really thinks that she doesn't deserve better than that because she doesn't have any parents?
I don't know... but it's really hard.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
They are leaving!
This picture is of me being happy...with my girl Huong. This will soon change. Why? Because the kids are leaving! I'm just building up my relationship with the older kids at Baby Orphanage (Including my girl Huong) and now all the kids over the age of 6 are leaving. I am seriously upset about this. I'm totally going to miss her.
I didn't expect to fall for a kid so quickly here, especially since communication is limited, but seriously, when you spend your whole day with them, and they give you hugs, kisses and hold your hands you start to get attached. The last few days since school ended we have spent almost all of the day together. She gets me to sit on the steps while she puts my hair in pigtails, pushes my bangs back and slicks them to the side, tries to steal a comb from the 'mothers' to comb my hair smooth, and fails. (Also tried to find a nail clipper to give me a manicure... also didn't turn out as she wanted) She's 8, she gives me hugs, and she's beautiful.
They all leave on Monday. MONDAY. We are planning on doing something for all of the kids on "International Children's Day" (hear that mom? There IS a kids day... not just Mother's Day and Father's Day, haha). Now I guess we just need to make their special day bigger. The kids never get a chance to see outside the orphanage (I guess they freaked when they saw the ocean last month). I don't know what we are going to do, but it's going to be BIG.
Carrie (the volunteer who has been here for 8 or 9 months) is very upset too. The kids aren't just going to another orphanage in the area, they are going all the way to Hoi An (where we sometimes vacation on the weekend.) She has one girl that she absoloutely loves, and now she will have to travel for 2 hours on a bus and stay in a hotel to see her. Maybe I'll get a chance to go with her. Oh man I am very upset. I just am.
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Smoothies
At home I enjoyed the occasional smoothie. It's cool, refreshing, and full of tasty fruit. Here in Tam Ky, every lunch is accompanied with a new fruit and ice concoction, some which are wonderful, others are just an adventure.
I enjoyed the following smoothies:
Banana and Yogurt
Grapefruit and Jackfruit
Banana and Pinapple
Apple and Pineapple
Orange and Pineapple
Carrot and Pineapple
I did not enjoy the following smoothies:
Banana and Tomato
Grapefruit and Tomato
Anything with Tomato
Note for those at home, do not put tomato in Smoothies. It may LOOK like strawberry... but it tastes very different.
I enjoyed the following smoothies:
Banana and Yogurt
Grapefruit and Jackfruit
Banana and Pinapple
Apple and Pineapple
Orange and Pineapple
Carrot and Pineapple
I did not enjoy the following smoothies:
Banana and Tomato
Grapefruit and Tomato
Anything with Tomato
Note for those at home, do not put tomato in Smoothies. It may LOOK like strawberry... but it tastes very different.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Sweating
Last year at work when putting away the chairs with the bellstaff boy Jeff, I was complaining about sweating. He replied: Girls don't sweat Danielle, They glow.
If only Jeff could see me now.
The following is a list of the places on my body that sweat in Vietnam that dont usually in Canada:
Inner Forearm
Calves
Backs of my hands
Ear Lobes
Eye lids (eyebrows are only kinda useful)
Between my toes/ fingers
Under my Fingernails
Tops of my feet
Behind my ears
My Belly Button
Things that make me sweat that don't when I'm in Canada:
Waking up
Brushing my teeth
Drinking water
Drying off after my shower
Putting on my Bra/ any of my clothes
Walking down the stairs
Eating a snack
Hanging up laundry on the roof
Writing in my journal
Playing Cards
Typing at the computer
Althought I look forward to returning home and this excessive sweating stopping... I'm having a fun time in the moisture of it all.
If only Jeff could see me now.
The following is a list of the places on my body that sweat in Vietnam that dont usually in Canada:
Inner Forearm
Calves
Backs of my hands
Ear Lobes
Eye lids (eyebrows are only kinda useful)
Between my toes/ fingers
Under my Fingernails
Tops of my feet
Behind my ears
My Belly Button
Things that make me sweat that don't when I'm in Canada:
Waking up
Brushing my teeth
Drinking water
Drying off after my shower
Putting on my Bra/ any of my clothes
Walking down the stairs
Eating a snack
Hanging up laundry on the roof
Writing in my journal
Playing Cards
Typing at the computer
Althought I look forward to returning home and this excessive sweating stopping... I'm having a fun time in the moisture of it all.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Nha Trang
Nha Trang was a load of fun. It was our last weekend with the volunteers that are leaving this month and we wanted to make the best of it. We took a sleeper bus for 10 hours from Tam Ky all the way to Nha Trang. There was one bathroom stop, and some guy stole Carrie's shoes, she had to go up to him and take them back (with the rest of us cracking up in the background).
We arrived our hotel which was called "The Nice Hotel" at about 6am, found a room, crashed for about another 6 hours, then spent the day at the beach. We parasailed, improved our tans and had a nice relaxing evening.
Our second day, we went to a water park. We went in a cable car over the ocean, spent most of the day sliding down slides as "our own little family". We all seemed to walk out of the water park with injuries, I bit my lip, Jenny had a million bug bites, Cat smashed her head off the slide... and I think we all had perma-wedgies. It was a good time.
From there, we got to go to the 'dry rides' which were like, roller coasters, carosels and other amusement park rides. Bumper cars were my fave! I also rode the mechanical bull successfully but I'm sure I looked petrified. Tam seemed bored, Rosie laughed her head off and I think my eyes popped out of my head as I repeated 'I dont want to jump off... just stop, PLEASE'. The bull took a minute and a half to listen.
We went to a fire show on Saturday night, which was pretty cool, danced to an obscene amount of techno and got home to the Nice Hotel pretty late. Shopping and getting my haircut were the plans for the next morning. Big goals, which I did accomplish.
Getting my hair cut was an interesting process. I mean, I know its just hair, and mine grows fast enough but I was still a little nervous. My hairdresser pulled out a few pictures until I found one I moderately liked and told her 'please dont cut my bangs too short, I have a cowlick and It will stick up funny.' (or I pointed at my bangs and said 'not short, sticks up! sticks up!) she laughed and said 'same same' and made her cowlick stick straight up. This reassured me that she understood. I had the longest, best head wash of life. She scrubbed, rinsed, scrubbed, scratched and (weirdly enough) washed inside my ears. I'm not sure what I think about the ear scrub, but it was kinda funny. My hair turned out just fine (all of you that were so concerned for me).
It was a nice break, but today we are back to work!
We arrived our hotel which was called "The Nice Hotel" at about 6am, found a room, crashed for about another 6 hours, then spent the day at the beach. We parasailed, improved our tans and had a nice relaxing evening.
Our second day, we went to a water park. We went in a cable car over the ocean, spent most of the day sliding down slides as "our own little family". We all seemed to walk out of the water park with injuries, I bit my lip, Jenny had a million bug bites, Cat smashed her head off the slide... and I think we all had perma-wedgies. It was a good time.
From there, we got to go to the 'dry rides' which were like, roller coasters, carosels and other amusement park rides. Bumper cars were my fave! I also rode the mechanical bull successfully but I'm sure I looked petrified. Tam seemed bored, Rosie laughed her head off and I think my eyes popped out of my head as I repeated 'I dont want to jump off... just stop, PLEASE'. The bull took a minute and a half to listen.
We went to a fire show on Saturday night, which was pretty cool, danced to an obscene amount of techno and got home to the Nice Hotel pretty late. Shopping and getting my haircut were the plans for the next morning. Big goals, which I did accomplish.
Getting my hair cut was an interesting process. I mean, I know its just hair, and mine grows fast enough but I was still a little nervous. My hairdresser pulled out a few pictures until I found one I moderately liked and told her 'please dont cut my bangs too short, I have a cowlick and It will stick up funny.' (or I pointed at my bangs and said 'not short, sticks up! sticks up!) she laughed and said 'same same' and made her cowlick stick straight up. This reassured me that she understood. I had the longest, best head wash of life. She scrubbed, rinsed, scrubbed, scratched and (weirdly enough) washed inside my ears. I'm not sure what I think about the ear scrub, but it was kinda funny. My hair turned out just fine (all of you that were so concerned for me).
It was a nice break, but today we are back to work!
Orphanage Time
Kids are cool. I'm learnign some new clapping games from the older kids at Home of Affection, learning to deal with rejection from Kieu (from Baby Orphanage, aka B.O.) and starting to make a bond with a few other kids. I had a hard day on Tuesday with Kieu as she was totally ignoring me and pulling away if I tried to hold her hand or anything, and that was very tough for me.
Wednesday was a totally different thing altogether, I went back to where she stays and we were having a great time. The 4 of the little orphan girls and me, running around, laughing; I was chasing them and tickling them and they were just laughing their heads off at everything I did. It was a great feeling. Even the little girl we call 'the non expression girl' (Kieu's friend who is new to the orphanage and still finding her place) was giggling as I wiggled my fingers at her, threatening to tickle.
The next day I hung out with my friend Huong, who I think is realizing that she is my fave. I was talking to Carrie about her, and apparently she doesn't get a lot of attention from the volunteers because she is older (hence, less cute) but I think she's amazing! She was helping me put away toys when I had to leave, and gave my bike a push to get me going as I peddled away.
I'm very excited that starting this week, the kids will be on their summer break so I will get to see her and the other school children every day. I'm sure it will get tiring, but I'm very excited.
Here is a random compilation of some pictures from a few of our trips, Patrick's haircut and lot of the children.
Wednesday was a totally different thing altogether, I went back to where she stays and we were having a great time. The 4 of the little orphan girls and me, running around, laughing; I was chasing them and tickling them and they were just laughing their heads off at everything I did. It was a great feeling. Even the little girl we call 'the non expression girl' (Kieu's friend who is new to the orphanage and still finding her place) was giggling as I wiggled my fingers at her, threatening to tickle.
The next day I hung out with my friend Huong, who I think is realizing that she is my fave. I was talking to Carrie about her, and apparently she doesn't get a lot of attention from the volunteers because she is older (hence, less cute) but I think she's amazing! She was helping me put away toys when I had to leave, and gave my bike a push to get me going as I peddled away.
I'm very excited that starting this week, the kids will be on their summer break so I will get to see her and the other school children every day. I'm sure it will get tiring, but I'm very excited.
Here is a random compilation of some pictures from a few of our trips, Patrick's haircut and lot of the children.
Howdy Strangers!
I know, I know its been too long, but it's hard when you are as busy as us. We started out the week on Tuesday with a crazy free trip that ended up being just about opposite of what we were expecting. The travel agent said there would be mountains, waterfalls and that they would be taking pictures of us to put in some sort of magazine (hence having it be free), but in reality we had to get all snazzy-ed up to drive a few hours up a mountain, drink some tea, get rained on and eat some crazy food with the local tribe. I found out later that the 'getting rained on' was during an opening ceremony so that the tribe's home would start inviting tourists to come and experience their life. We got all snazzy-ed up because the people we were eating our dinner with were the local leaders and very important people.
A few emotions I went through:
I was very pissed that when the tour directors gave the rest of us rain gear (plastic bags with hoods) they neglected Tam, because he looks Vietnamese and they assumed he was our translator. He said he didn't care, but it fully bothered me.
The food was interesting. We drank some really strong wine made from mulbery; I ateg some sort of beef, found out later it was wild boar; and ate some sort of white meat, guessed it was chicken, my suspicions were correct... which I found out when I nearly chomped down on it's foot, talons and all.
I'm off to make up some photo albums and see if I can upload them to here.
A few emotions I went through:
I was very pissed that when the tour directors gave the rest of us rain gear (plastic bags with hoods) they neglected Tam, because he looks Vietnamese and they assumed he was our translator. He said he didn't care, but it fully bothered me.
The food was interesting. We drank some really strong wine made from mulbery; I ateg some sort of beef, found out later it was wild boar; and ate some sort of white meat, guessed it was chicken, my suspicions were correct... which I found out when I nearly chomped down on it's foot, talons and all.
I'm off to make up some photo albums and see if I can upload them to here.
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Parade Day
We got a chance to get to know the volunteers in Da Nang a little better this weekend. We drove up to visit them, spent a night in Da Nang then went to Hoi An and spent a night there. We just got back a few hours ago and I'm very tired. I ate a lot of Western food this weekend. They do fries very well but burger's aren't always the best (so salty that I now have canker sores) boo. I know branching out and eating new things is what I'm supposed to do, but you really start to crave familiar things sometimes. I would do some extreme things for a good plate of nachos right now.
We visited Da Nang's Social Support which was a really neat orphanage. Basically, since begging is illegal in Vietnam, they take beggers and put them in a place called 'Social Support'. It's pretty self sustainable, with gardens and stuff, and the people look after each other a lot. It was a very hard place for me to be though because it was drastically different from any of our orphanages. Most people there had mental and physical challenges and they didn't have a lot of people to take care of them. I was very shocked and a little upset at first, but when I saw them taking care of each other, I was comforted.
We left and went to Hoi An, spent some of the night at the beach where I played rock, paper, scissors with a new friend. (The kids at the orphanage have an extreme version of rock paper scissors, I appreciate it). Today we woke up, went to the beach and stayed there till it was too cloudy and looked like it might rain. (Rosie got a great tan and I'm a touch jealous).
We came home and there was a big parade going right in front of our place, I was too lazy to go downstairs but Catrina and I sat on the balcony doing Sudokus and watching the parade from above.
I'm off to bed as I must work with children again in a matter of 8 hours and I need to wash some sand out of my hair and other various places.
We visited Da Nang's Social Support which was a really neat orphanage. Basically, since begging is illegal in Vietnam, they take beggers and put them in a place called 'Social Support'. It's pretty self sustainable, with gardens and stuff, and the people look after each other a lot. It was a very hard place for me to be though because it was drastically different from any of our orphanages. Most people there had mental and physical challenges and they didn't have a lot of people to take care of them. I was very shocked and a little upset at first, but when I saw them taking care of each other, I was comforted.
We left and went to Hoi An, spent some of the night at the beach where I played rock, paper, scissors with a new friend. (The kids at the orphanage have an extreme version of rock paper scissors, I appreciate it). Today we woke up, went to the beach and stayed there till it was too cloudy and looked like it might rain. (Rosie got a great tan and I'm a touch jealous).
We came home and there was a big parade going right in front of our place, I was too lazy to go downstairs but Catrina and I sat on the balcony doing Sudokus and watching the parade from above.
I'm off to bed as I must work with children again in a matter of 8 hours and I need to wash some sand out of my hair and other various places.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Pizza Plus
We got up this morning after a fun night out in Da Nang and went to a place called Pizza Plus. It's a restaurant, owned by westerners who hire (older) orphans in the community. Most of the cooks and servers are deaf so they use sign language with each other, and a lot of pointing with us. Carrie knew one of the servers when she lived at the Home of Affection so her and a gentleman server sat and communicated with us for a while. Carrie and Tam knew some sign language and they wrote down the words they didnt know on a napkin (english AND vietnamese). It was beautiful watching them, and how animated the signing was. The guy had the best facial expressions ever, and even though I didn't understand a lot of the hand signals, it was easy to tell that he had a great sense of humor and that he was making a lot of jokes at Tam's expense (those are the funniest ones anyways). I really enjoyed the atmosphere at the restaurant, and Carrie was telling me that in the future, she wants to come back to Tam Ky and do something similar, take the orphans that are still living there and have a place for them to work. If she does, then I would love to be able to come back and visit.
Friday, May 16, 2008
A little weekend trip.
Well I'm off this afternoon for a trip to Da Nang, then Hoi An. I'm not really sure what the plans are, but I'm sure they include shopping and the beach... mmm beach. It's been raining the last few days so I'm pretty excited to see the sunshine. Now with my own suit and clothes I can rock out at the beach and not worry about my suit being ill-fitting.
We went to the baby orphanage this morning, it was really quiet. BIG change from yesterday. Carrie and I were the only ones who weren't teaching yesterday so we hung out with ALL the kids. This included the kids that are normally at school! We did a lot more nail painting, and the older kids were a lot pickier and kept coming back for touch ups. I nearly passed out from the fumes. I met a new friend though, her name is Huong and she is beautiful. I think I have officially found my favorite kid at the baby orphanage. She is super sweet, gives me sniff kisses all the time, and helped me pick up the toys when it was time to go. She is sooooo sweet. She is only around on Tuesdays and Thursdays so this morning I hung out with Kieu again, but she was more chill... and didn't want anyone to touch her at all. I colored with some of the kids.
Well I'm off to have a snacking-packing party with Rosie... because it seems to be the only way either of us want to pack to go!
We went to the baby orphanage this morning, it was really quiet. BIG change from yesterday. Carrie and I were the only ones who weren't teaching yesterday so we hung out with ALL the kids. This included the kids that are normally at school! We did a lot more nail painting, and the older kids were a lot pickier and kept coming back for touch ups. I nearly passed out from the fumes. I met a new friend though, her name is Huong and she is beautiful. I think I have officially found my favorite kid at the baby orphanage. She is super sweet, gives me sniff kisses all the time, and helped me pick up the toys when it was time to go. She is sooooo sweet. She is only around on Tuesdays and Thursdays so this morning I hung out with Kieu again, but she was more chill... and didn't want anyone to touch her at all. I colored with some of the kids.
Well I'm off to have a snacking-packing party with Rosie... because it seems to be the only way either of us want to pack to go!
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
A little Singing and Dancing goes a long way
Social Support is probably my favorite of the three orphanages. Today Rosie, Jenny and I made crafts with the kids. We cut out the shapes of shirts and skirts/pants and the outlines of bodies. They glued the clothes on the bodies and drew on some faces. I got a little bored of the crafting activities so I took one of the children, picked her up and starting swinging her around the room. Chaos ensued.
We had children hanging off each limb and we started singing the crazy camp songs that I learned a long time ago. Aunt Emma (dancing like chickens) the banana song (peeling, cutting, mushing, eating and GOING BANANAS) Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes we Can-canned with the girls, and had a whole lot of sweaty, energetic fun. It took a while for us to calm them down as we left, and I got a lot of the Sniff-Kisses from the kids. I drove away, blowing kisses...and nearly ran into the swing set.
We went to the Coop (supermarket) and bought some of the worst chocolat ever! Note to self, if it costs less than 20 cents Canadian.. its probably not worth it. Had fish, rice and potatoes for supper... I am presently laughing at Rosie as she tries to have a conversation with her boyfriend beside me. Common computer/Skype doesnt always leave a lot of room for privacy.
We had children hanging off each limb and we started singing the crazy camp songs that I learned a long time ago. Aunt Emma (dancing like chickens) the banana song (peeling, cutting, mushing, eating and GOING BANANAS) Head and Shoulders Knees and Toes we Can-canned with the girls, and had a whole lot of sweaty, energetic fun. It took a while for us to calm them down as we left, and I got a lot of the Sniff-Kisses from the kids. I drove away, blowing kisses...and nearly ran into the swing set.
We went to the Coop (supermarket) and bought some of the worst chocolat ever! Note to self, if it costs less than 20 cents Canadian.. its probably not worth it. Had fish, rice and potatoes for supper... I am presently laughing at Rosie as she tries to have a conversation with her boyfriend beside me. Common computer/Skype doesnt always leave a lot of room for privacy.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Baby Steps
I've already told you about Kieu, the young girl that hides in the back of the baby orphanage. I have gone back to her room a few times to play with her and her friends but she shys away from me each time. I had never seen her smile at me and backed away when I tried to hold her hand. It has been a little disheartening. I figured it just took time, because I saw her being a little more comfortable with Carrie and Tam, volunteers who have been here for a while. Sometimes Tam would try and help me by telling Kieu my name, or speaking in Vietnamese to her, but she never really responded to any of it.
Today, I went out back, assuming that her friends would be there, but she was sitting on the floor, doing a puzzle all by herself. I sat down quietly and watched as she took a few pieces out of the completed puzzle, and put them back in, giving me a big smile once she had put the last pieces in place. I took this as a bit of an opening and smiled, said 'great job' and held my hands up for a high five. She went for it! There were high fives all around! She must have taken 5 pieces out of the puzzle and put them back in about 20 times, and by the end of it, we had a crazy high-five handshake for celebration.
As I was leaving, I said 'Tam Biet' (goodbye) and hugged her from behind (very nervously) and she cuddled right into me! I bounced out of the room to tell Tam, (who was ALMOST equally excited for me) and I've been grinning about it all day.
They told me that she goes in and out of her shell often, and that I shouldn't get my hopes up too high that she will jump on my lap any time soon, but I'm proud of the small steps that I made today.
Today, I went out back, assuming that her friends would be there, but she was sitting on the floor, doing a puzzle all by herself. I sat down quietly and watched as she took a few pieces out of the completed puzzle, and put them back in, giving me a big smile once she had put the last pieces in place. I took this as a bit of an opening and smiled, said 'great job' and held my hands up for a high five. She went for it! There were high fives all around! She must have taken 5 pieces out of the puzzle and put them back in about 20 times, and by the end of it, we had a crazy high-five handshake for celebration.
As I was leaving, I said 'Tam Biet' (goodbye) and hugged her from behind (very nervously) and she cuddled right into me! I bounced out of the room to tell Tam, (who was ALMOST equally excited for me) and I've been grinning about it all day.
They told me that she goes in and out of her shell often, and that I shouldn't get my hopes up too high that she will jump on my lap any time soon, but I'm proud of the small steps that I made today.
Manicures at the Orphanage
I never knew how much fun painted finger nails could be. Yesterday we brought some nail polish to the orphanage so we could paint the girl's nails. We had shiny pink and purple, most girls went for the pink. They sat as quietly as I've ever seen them, while we painted their finger and toe nails. After seeing the colorful fingers on the girls, the boys came over and wanted us to do theirs! We figured it's harmless (wouldnt turn them into drag queens with a little bit of pink polish) so we painted them too. Some of the boys were super pumped about their pink and purple toe nails. They followed our lead and blew their nails dry. It was really sweet. Some of the older kids would take my hands and start painting mine.
Tam, (Australian boy) and I taught at the Economic Zone today. The class commented that they wanted more time with discussions instead of reading so we got them to answer questions such as:
What are three words you would use to describe yourself?
What is your greatest accomplishment?
What is one thing you like about yourself?
( Tam wanted to ask more personal questions like :what are you looking for in a guy? What was your first kiss like? but I told him it might not be the coolest idea)
WE got them to answer the questions and read it out to the class while we helped them out with their pronounciation. They seem really appreciative of the lesson.
Tam, (Australian boy) and I taught at the Economic Zone today. The class commented that they wanted more time with discussions instead of reading so we got them to answer questions such as:
What are three words you would use to describe yourself?
What is your greatest accomplishment?
What is one thing you like about yourself?
( Tam wanted to ask more personal questions like :what are you looking for in a guy? What was your first kiss like? but I told him it might not be the coolest idea)
WE got them to answer the questions and read it out to the class while we helped them out with their pronounciation. They seem really appreciative of the lesson.
Wearing my own pants baby
We saw Viet today, that was pretty exciting, especially because I GOT MY SUITCASE BACK. After two weeks of wearing everyone else's clothes, I finally got to put on my own pants, shirt, bathing suit whatever. Our room got significantly messier once I emptied out my suitcase, but Rosie didn't seem to mind as she saw the excitement in my face. It was like Christmas or something, re-finding my clean towel and the pretty skirts that I have. I put on my sky blue skirt and my new purple top just to eat lunch. They laughed at my as I spun in circles saying "look how pretty I am in my own clothes". It was totally worth it.
Friday, May 9, 2008
A good day
Today has been pretty kickass. I Woke up this morning, chilled out at the baby orphanage, sat down and had a great chat with one of the other volunteers. Carrie is 27, is from Australia and has been working here forever. She is super enthusiastic and I had an awsome talk with her.
We went to the beach for a few hours, I remembered to put sunscreen on so my burn didn't get any worse, it started raining (which is a nice change around here) and now I am chilling out with the rest of the crew, listening to my old Savage Garden C.D. reading some Get Fuzzy (my favorite comic of life) and waiting for the cake and party which we are having tonite. Tam, our Australian boy, has been saving up some money and is using it to pay of the mortguage on our cook's house. It's a big surprise and we are really excited for it. She thinks we are just going out for a beer or something, but we are all planning on dressing up and surprising her. I can't wait to see the look on her face.
We went to the beach for a few hours, I remembered to put sunscreen on so my burn didn't get any worse, it started raining (which is a nice change around here) and now I am chilling out with the rest of the crew, listening to my old Savage Garden C.D. reading some Get Fuzzy (my favorite comic of life) and waiting for the cake and party which we are having tonite. Tam, our Australian boy, has been saving up some money and is using it to pay of the mortguage on our cook's house. It's a big surprise and we are really excited for it. She thinks we are just going out for a beer or something, but we are all planning on dressing up and surprising her. I can't wait to see the look on her face.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Part 3: Kieu
I only met Kieu today. She is a very shy girl who prefers to stay in her room and have her friends visit instead of coming out with the rest of the children to play. Her mother was a prostitute and did not have much time for her. I understand that she spent much of her early life locked in a closet. She came to the baby orphanage after her neighbor heard her screaming. When she cried, her mother would push her head underwater until she passed out, and if she woke up, she would do it again.
Stories like this seem so unreal to me, and I know I'm in over my head. It's tough learning about what their lives had been like, but it is good to know that they are doing better where they are now.
Stories like this seem so unreal to me, and I know I'm in over my head. It's tough learning about what their lives had been like, but it is good to know that they are doing better where they are now.
Part 2: Tien
Tien is toddler who has a cleft plate. He has a sweet smile and can throw a ball right at your head. Two months ago, one of the volunteers figured out how to get him an operation and started making plans. When she was just about finalizing everything, an American couple decided they wanted to adopt him and have the operation in the U.S. Adoptions take a long time, so in the meantime there isn't much we can do. Within the last few weeks though, the Vietnamese government has gotten into some problems with the U.S. and they are taking away the possibility of Americans adopting Vietnamese babies. If the adoption doesn't go through within the next few months, then Tien will be back to having no operation, and no adoptive parents.
Heartbreak Hotel Part 1
While working in the three orphanages, we learn a lot about the children. While their personalities and smiles are wonderful, sometimes their stories are a bit harder.
Some problems are widespread among the children, most of the babies have flat heads because they lay on their back too often. The 'mothers' (women who look after the children when we aren't there) have too much to do to hold them all the time. A doctor came in about a month ago and checked the children, all of them are malnourished. We take fruit to them every day to help give them some kind of vitamins, but often all the orphanage can afford is packets of dried noodles (aka Mr Noodles) which gives them some calories, but not enough nutrients. My next two entries are about two children whose stories were very difficult for me. They both live at the Baby Orphanage, their names are Tien and Kieu.
Some problems are widespread among the children, most of the babies have flat heads because they lay on their back too often. The 'mothers' (women who look after the children when we aren't there) have too much to do to hold them all the time. A doctor came in about a month ago and checked the children, all of them are malnourished. We take fruit to them every day to help give them some kind of vitamins, but often all the orphanage can afford is packets of dried noodles (aka Mr Noodles) which gives them some calories, but not enough nutrients. My next two entries are about two children whose stories were very difficult for me. They both live at the Baby Orphanage, their names are Tien and Kieu.
Rules of the Road
Since coming to Vietnam I have traveled in several ways:
taxi, motor taxi, pedal bike, jogging, strolling. I have learned a few things along the way. #1 rule in Vietnam when on the road: there are no rules. I have obserived that speed limits do not exist, signal lights are useless, the middle dividing line is just a guideline, and bigger/faster vehicles always win.
Motor scooters are swerving left and right, staying away from real cars. Often the drivers will wear cloth covering their mouth and nose because it can get very dusty... when cruising at 30km per hour.
Biking is a bit easier: yield to everyone. We have some pretty cool bikes actually, pretty much an adult version of the bike I had as an 8 year old (sadly, no banana seat though). The handle bars curve up, i have a bell (I go
dring dring" when I pass slower bikers) and a nice basket for when I go to the supermarket to get some chips. The seat is a bit of a problem for two reasons: it heats up incredibly within the 15 minutes it could be sitting in the sun, burning my bottom quite harshly when I start to cruise; and (althought I never thought I would say this) there just isn't enough cushion on my bottom! I go over bumps and dirt roads and my tush ends up quite sore. I'm sure I will get used to it.
Walking along the streets of Tam Ky isn't too tricky. We have sidewalks most of the time, our biggest risk seems to be turning and responding to each person who wants to say "Hello!" to the foreigner! So far it is still endearing but I hear it will get old fast. Otherwise, watch out for puddles, small dogs and large bugs.
taxi, motor taxi, pedal bike, jogging, strolling. I have learned a few things along the way. #1 rule in Vietnam when on the road: there are no rules. I have obserived that speed limits do not exist, signal lights are useless, the middle dividing line is just a guideline, and bigger/faster vehicles always win.
Motor scooters are swerving left and right, staying away from real cars. Often the drivers will wear cloth covering their mouth and nose because it can get very dusty... when cruising at 30km per hour.
Biking is a bit easier: yield to everyone. We have some pretty cool bikes actually, pretty much an adult version of the bike I had as an 8 year old (sadly, no banana seat though). The handle bars curve up, i have a bell (I go
dring dring" when I pass slower bikers) and a nice basket for when I go to the supermarket to get some chips. The seat is a bit of a problem for two reasons: it heats up incredibly within the 15 minutes it could be sitting in the sun, burning my bottom quite harshly when I start to cruise; and (althought I never thought I would say this) there just isn't enough cushion on my bottom! I go over bumps and dirt roads and my tush ends up quite sore. I'm sure I will get used to it.
Walking along the streets of Tam Ky isn't too tricky. We have sidewalks most of the time, our biggest risk seems to be turning and responding to each person who wants to say "Hello!" to the foreigner! So far it is still endearing but I hear it will get old fast. Otherwise, watch out for puddles, small dogs and large bugs.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
E.T. is a friend of mine and he is kinda spacey. He traveled across the universe to party and go crazy
I had a few first this weekend: first time at the beach; first Vietnamese sunburn (they are painful), first motor-taxi ride (not that scary, they only go about 30 km per hour). All of the above happened in Hoi An, our first road trip in Vietnam.
Our Friday consisted of us leaving the orphanage, caming home and eating, then packing and heading off to a new town. We hopped in a cab, and the cabbie was rocking out to some english techno. The ET song (please refer to my title) was one of my favorites, and had the tune of 'Barney is a dinosaur from our imagination'. We checked into a gorgeous hotel with a pool, air conditioning, continental breakfast for 15$ for a 2 person room. (yeah, it really is that cheap). We wandered around the city for a while, and tailors jumped out of their shops asking if we wanted anything made. Each of us left town with at least one personally-designed item. I have a cute summer dress, white with turquoise polka dots. Very me.
Thea beach was gorgeous. The water was much warmer than we have in Canada (big surprise) and the sand was pretty white. Most people on the beach were not from Vietnam. Many Australians, or New Zealanders. We actually left the beach and had a Vietnamese motor-taxi driver call out to us 'Gudday mate!' Which made me giggle. I mean, I've been mistaken for an American before, but never an Australian. I truly think I'm too pale right now for that to be believable. We decided to take motor taxi's back to the hotel, so Cat, Rosie and I hopped on 3 bikes, showed them the card for the hotel so we would go to the right place, and cruised down the road. It was a pretty slow pace, so I stopped with the death grip on my driver after a minute or two. We got home safely, with only a few mariage proposals.
Anyways, I have coffee to drink, and volunteers to mingle with!
Tam Biet!
First Day at the Orphanage
We woke up on Friday morning to a scream of 'EVERYBODY' which is the call that our cook has to wake us up and tell us that our awesome breakfast of baguettes, laughing cow cheese aka 'la vache qui rit' cheese and fresh pinapple. I was not dissapointed to say the least.
Our plan for the day was to stop by each of the places that we will be working at while we are here. The children are halirous, hugging and jumping on us as soon as we got there. The boys were a little more tame. One girl took Rosie's sunglasses right away, put them on her face, and started strutting around, acessorizing with someone else's purse. It was adorable.
Because the children are often lacking in nutrition where they are staying, we handed out bananas and stuff. When we offered the fruit to the children, they crossed their arms, then held our their hands. It confused me pretty good, because I thought they were turning down the fruit, but I found out later that it was a sign of respect, like a 'thank-you'.
Anyways, I'm off to wash the dishes, and I will tell you about my weekend soon.
Our plan for the day was to stop by each of the places that we will be working at while we are here. The children are halirous, hugging and jumping on us as soon as we got there. The boys were a little more tame. One girl took Rosie's sunglasses right away, put them on her face, and started strutting around, acessorizing with someone else's purse. It was adorable.
Because the children are often lacking in nutrition where they are staying, we handed out bananas and stuff. When we offered the fruit to the children, they crossed their arms, then held our their hands. It confused me pretty good, because I thought they were turning down the fruit, but I found out later that it was a sign of respect, like a 'thank-you'.
Anyways, I'm off to wash the dishes, and I will tell you about my weekend soon.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Fredericton???
Can someone please tell me what is going on in Fredericton? We are searching for like, pictures and stuff on the internet but can't get much information.
Thanks! d
Thanks! d
Tam Ky, pronounced "Tam Key", not "Tam Kai"
Orientation started today. We met all the other newbies in the program and hung out in DaNang for a while. The most interesting part came when Viet, the organizer told us of why he started the program in Vietnam. His father was a soldier in the war, and one year after Viet was born, his father passed away, leaving him to his mother who had mental challenges. She left him in the middle of some farmland, where a farmer found him and took him to an orphanage. His mother stayed in a hospital for a year and a half before she recalled that she actually had a son. He says he doesn't remember anything about the orphanage but is very grateful for what they did for him. He wanted to help make orphanages a better place for future children.
After a few hours of stories, rules, language training we hopped on a bus for Tam Ky. I sat by the window as Mr and Mrs Smith played with Vietnamese subtitles (somehow the bus was run-down but also had a TV?). Of course we got some stares, but it was not as uncomfortable as I expected. It was pretty entertaining seeing the people on motorized scooters weave around our big bus.
**I just jumped out of my seat because a bug the size of my middle finger just flew by my face. We have some interesting creatures here in Tam Ky, including geckos running up and down the walls.
Our house is beautiful. I am rooming with Rosie, while Patrick, Catrina and Jenny are all in another room together. We spent some time exploring the house and standing up on our roof at the gorgeous view. The cooks are very friendly but get very upset if we do not finish all of our food. This isn't TOO hard as the food is pretty darn good. The best pineapple I have ever experienced was served after supper this evening. Sooo juicey and sweet, it blew my mind.
I was invited to our cook's house (Mrs. Haun) for a beer and to see her place. It was very nice. She did a wonderful job with her small, traditional Vietnamese house and had a beautiful bed and very comfortable furniture. The kids from across the street came over for a visit and there were thumb wars and very messy braided hair by the time we left. It was interesting driving a bicycle again, something I haven't done in years. I was a little nervous biking along those busy streets, but by following Carrie and Kyle (people with a ton of experience) I got there safely, along with the help of a few hand signals.
Well, I'm off to bed, or at least lie on the kitchen floor with Rosie as she squashes a rubber lizard against the wall. Nighty night!
After a few hours of stories, rules, language training we hopped on a bus for Tam Ky. I sat by the window as Mr and Mrs Smith played with Vietnamese subtitles (somehow the bus was run-down but also had a TV?). Of course we got some stares, but it was not as uncomfortable as I expected. It was pretty entertaining seeing the people on motorized scooters weave around our big bus.
**I just jumped out of my seat because a bug the size of my middle finger just flew by my face. We have some interesting creatures here in Tam Ky, including geckos running up and down the walls.
Our house is beautiful. I am rooming with Rosie, while Patrick, Catrina and Jenny are all in another room together. We spent some time exploring the house and standing up on our roof at the gorgeous view. The cooks are very friendly but get very upset if we do not finish all of our food. This isn't TOO hard as the food is pretty darn good. The best pineapple I have ever experienced was served after supper this evening. Sooo juicey and sweet, it blew my mind.
I was invited to our cook's house (Mrs. Haun) for a beer and to see her place. It was very nice. She did a wonderful job with her small, traditional Vietnamese house and had a beautiful bed and very comfortable furniture. The kids from across the street came over for a visit and there were thumb wars and very messy braided hair by the time we left. It was interesting driving a bicycle again, something I haven't done in years. I was a little nervous biking along those busy streets, but by following Carrie and Kyle (people with a ton of experience) I got there safely, along with the help of a few hand signals.
Well, I'm off to bed, or at least lie on the kitchen floor with Rosie as she squashes a rubber lizard against the wall. Nighty night!
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Good Morning Vietnam!
I woke up this morning a little groggy. 7 hours of sleep SHOULD be enough. It's bright sooo early here. We get picked up in about 15 minutes to be taken to the orientation day to learn all about changing diapers, lesson plans and bits about the language. It's pretty exciting. I can't wait for breakfast. I was suprised about how good the airplane food is, especially in comparison to the Air Canada slop we usually get. One thing that seems similar to our Canadian planes is lost luggage. You betcha, I arrived in DaNang with only 50% of my stuff. I have the big bag, filled with Canadian pins, Frst Aid Kit and one very large pair of blue board shorts. Thankfully I'm the type of person that packs 12 pairs of underwear in her carry on!
Looks like our transportation just got here, so I'm out!
Looks like our transportation just got here, so I'm out!
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Feeling a Little Zoolander
After 36 hours of travelling, we are almost there! I never really understood HOW LONG a 21 hour flight could be... but let me tell you, it's a long time. Stepping off the plane an hour ago, with a greasey face, travel belt permanently stuck to my body, and feet swollen up like the elephant man, I wasn't sure I would recover. But with a quick rinse off in the sink, some blood circulation, and an excellent brownie, we are back in action. We have another 6 hours here in the GORGEOUS airport in Singapore, (Malasia- good thing I'm not a male model eh? The proximity would be tempting) a 2 hour flight to Da Nang where we will be picked up by Viet (he is totally going to have our names on a sign like famous people). Till then, we are just wandering around our terminal, which is about a million bajillion times more interesting than the Ch'town one. There are orchids and plants, and huge fish all inside. Very pretty! Also, the temperature here is intense: 36 degrees at 7:00am (sorry jackie). I can only imagine what it will feel like at noon in Vietnam.
Hope everything is going well in Canada. hugs and kisses to everyone.
D
Hope everything is going well in Canada. hugs and kisses to everyone.
D
Saturday, April 26, 2008
One More Day
Well, I am leaving the Island tomorrow at 11ish for my first leg of the trip. I think I should be more excited, but I am presently looking around the room at all of the stuff that I should be packing, and the pile is daunting. I went on a huge shopping extravaganza with Allison this afternoon and we found some good, appropriate clothing. I am really not ready for Milan, but I should be comfortable and not offend too many Vietnamese people with my scandalous summer wardrobe.
The traveling starts tomorrow, driving with the parents to St Andrews where I will nap, then drive to Portland and its only 36 hours of sitting on a plane till we are there! I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to everyone that I really wanted to, but like I told my grandparents, it's only two months and I'll be right back on the island. So GOODBYE PEI I'll see you soon!
The traveling starts tomorrow, driving with the parents to St Andrews where I will nap, then drive to Portland and its only 36 hours of sitting on a plane till we are there! I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to everyone that I really wanted to, but like I told my grandparents, it's only two months and I'll be right back on the island. So GOODBYE PEI I'll see you soon!
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
To pack or not to pack? That is the question!
There has been a request for another post, who knew how interesting my life is, BEFORE I even leave for Vietnam? Well now the countdown really is on, as my life is sitting in little boxes in the U-Haul storage and I am sitting on my blow up air mattress with a suitcase in the corner of my room. I'm leaving tomorrow from Fredericton, driving home in my little Green Hornet with the infamous Alex Larsen snoring away in the passenger seat, his "Danielle-hating" sideburns glistening in all their glory. (They are grown to spite me because I do not appreciate they hairy messes that protrude from the side of his face).
It's weird thinking that in less than 5 days, I will be on a plane heading towards Vietnam. My placement spot is called Tam Ky, which was a surprise for all of us Renaissance College Students who assumed we were heading towards the capital, Da Nang. I don't know much about the place, (Wikipedia is equally un-knowledgeable) except the fact that we are no longer a stone's throw from the beach. On the bright side, there may be gecko's running around our hallways, and I may be able to catch one and ask it for some car insurance. Now that's something to look forward to.
So I'm packing, asking my sister too many questions about hair dye, makeup, and what simple color palate I should stick with so that I can have the maximum amount of outfits with the minimum items of clothings (I thought this was quite important but apparently "babe, it's vietnam. not milan," whatever that means). I'm off to finish packing alone, assuring myself that I can run up and down the stairs at least 3 times with my bags to guarantee that I am not over packing.
It's weird thinking that in less than 5 days, I will be on a plane heading towards Vietnam. My placement spot is called Tam Ky, which was a surprise for all of us Renaissance College Students who assumed we were heading towards the capital, Da Nang. I don't know much about the place, (Wikipedia is equally un-knowledgeable) except the fact that we are no longer a stone's throw from the beach. On the bright side, there may be gecko's running around our hallways, and I may be able to catch one and ask it for some car insurance. Now that's something to look forward to.
So I'm packing, asking my sister too many questions about hair dye, makeup, and what simple color palate I should stick with so that I can have the maximum amount of outfits with the minimum items of clothings (I thought this was quite important but apparently "babe, it's vietnam. not milan," whatever that means). I'm off to finish packing alone, assuring myself that I can run up and down the stairs at least 3 times with my bags to guarantee that I am not over packing.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Is it still called a biker gang if they are on scooters?
Well guys, the countdown has started.
28 more days until I am on a plane leaving for Vietnam. We've been going through a lot of preparation: passports, visas, plane tickets and applying to volunteer organizations. We are leaving in four weeks and STILL aren't sure of what city we are in. I'm kinda counting on Da Nang, but we will see.
On Friday all of the international travelers had a meeting with Jonathan, our internship adviser, where we got some advice and some warnings about what to look out for, prepare for and just some general advice. The most important information I got out of the meetings is as follows: Do NOT swim in freshwater, mosquitoes in other countries are sick, people in other countries love maple syrup even though they aren't sure what to do with it, and it is very accepted for local people to point, stare and comment if you are white. Therefore I am not supposed to be shocked if gangs of gentlemen on motorized scooters start catcalling at me and my friends... simply because we have white skin.
Also, my roommate Grace, who is traveling to Ecuador, showed me in her travel guide that condoms are a wonderful travel item. Even if the traveler has no intention to use them, they make a great gift! (But does it beat Maple Syrup??) .
We have been taking Vietnamese lessons for a few months now. I know the basics:
Hello = Xin Chao
Goodbye = Tam biet
Please give me spring roll= Lam on, cho toi banh cuon
Thank- you = C'am 'on
I find some things very confusing. For example, the word for water is the same as nation. So I might not be sure if someone was asking me if I was parched or where I am traveling from. But our teacher whose name's English translation is Ocean, has been really great, giving us some tips on what to say and how to act while we are traveling in his home country. We were invited over to Ocean's house to meet his wife, child and have a traditional Vietnamese dinner. We looked at their wedding pictures in traditional outfits and found out that a tailor could fix us up with a similar beautiful costume. Their stories and pictures made us all very excited for traveling.
Well, that's all for now! Hope people continue reading and following along with my adventures!
Danielle
28 more days until I am on a plane leaving for Vietnam. We've been going through a lot of preparation: passports, visas, plane tickets and applying to volunteer organizations. We are leaving in four weeks and STILL aren't sure of what city we are in. I'm kinda counting on Da Nang, but we will see.
On Friday all of the international travelers had a meeting with Jonathan, our internship adviser, where we got some advice and some warnings about what to look out for, prepare for and just some general advice. The most important information I got out of the meetings is as follows: Do NOT swim in freshwater, mosquitoes in other countries are sick, people in other countries love maple syrup even though they aren't sure what to do with it, and it is very accepted for local people to point, stare and comment if you are white. Therefore I am not supposed to be shocked if gangs of gentlemen on motorized scooters start catcalling at me and my friends... simply because we have white skin.
Also, my roommate Grace, who is traveling to Ecuador, showed me in her travel guide that condoms are a wonderful travel item. Even if the traveler has no intention to use them, they make a great gift! (But does it beat Maple Syrup??) .
We have been taking Vietnamese lessons for a few months now. I know the basics:
Hello = Xin Chao
Goodbye = Tam biet
Please give me spring roll= Lam on, cho toi banh cuon
Thank- you = C'am 'on
I find some things very confusing. For example, the word for water is the same as nation. So I might not be sure if someone was asking me if I was parched or where I am traveling from. But our teacher whose name's English translation is Ocean, has been really great, giving us some tips on what to say and how to act while we are traveling in his home country. We were invited over to Ocean's house to meet his wife, child and have a traditional Vietnamese dinner. We looked at their wedding pictures in traditional outfits and found out that a tailor could fix us up with a similar beautiful costume. Their stories and pictures made us all very excited for traveling.
Well, that's all for now! Hope people continue reading and following along with my adventures!
Danielle
Check out the pictures from our dinner at Ocean's here
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2048558&l=f8b90&id=121402816
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