Thursday, March 31, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
Reflection by Annalise and Ms. David
One of my favorite things to do was go to the Night Market. It was easier to bargain with the vendors at night, the air was cooler, there were lots of interesting choices of clothing, and, unlike the daytime market, it wasn't too crowded. We had to dodge mopeds quite a bit, though! The worst part for me was walking away. It was unpredictable to know whether or not the seller would call you back when you walked away. If you really wanted an item and the seller wouldn't lower the price, you could walk away in hopes that she would end up lowering the asking price. But, if they just let you walk away, it was too embarrassing to go back. You just had to move on to the next stand.
Rows upon rows of earrings, belts, T-shirts, purses, jeans, sunglasses. Brands such as Abercrombie, Aeropostale, Levis, Ray Ban flash everywhere. Are they knock offs? We're not sure, and we really don't care one way or the other. They are enticing, and we are ready to barter--100's of thousands of dong in hand. "Madam, this look very good on you." I wish I could reply in Vietnamese. Mr. Dang tells us that we should never, ever accept the first asking price. The vendors expect us to haggle a bit. It's very hard to do--how do you walk away when the opening price is already cheap? Don't the workers need the money more than we do? We're torn between handing over our 500,000 dong feeling like we're being generous and the satisfaction of bartering and paying 60% (or less) of the original price. Why does getting a discount feel so satisfying? We're thrilled as we put our white silk blouse embroidered with golden thread into our bag. The vendor says "thank you" in English, bows to us a bit, and I can't help but notice a slight grin on her face. She also got "best price."
Rows upon rows of earrings, belts, T-shirts, purses, jeans, sunglasses. Brands such as Abercrombie, Aeropostale, Levis, Ray Ban flash everywhere. Are they knock offs? We're not sure, and we really don't care one way or the other. They are enticing, and we are ready to barter--100's of thousands of dong in hand. "Madam, this look very good on you." I wish I could reply in Vietnamese. Mr. Dang tells us that we should never, ever accept the first asking price. The vendors expect us to haggle a bit. It's very hard to do--how do you walk away when the opening price is already cheap? Don't the workers need the money more than we do? We're torn between handing over our 500,000 dong feeling like we're being generous and the satisfaction of bartering and paying 60% (or less) of the original price. Why does getting a discount feel so satisfying? We're thrilled as we put our white silk blouse embroidered with golden thread into our bag. The vendor says "thank you" in English, bows to us a bit, and I can't help but notice a slight grin on her face. She also got "best price."
Reflection by Logan
(Written on Friday about our day at the resort, Allezboo.)
Today was our day of rest at the Allezboo, a resort where we got a completely different view of Vietnam. When we arrived at the resort, my jaw dropped. It was beautiful! I definitely was not expecting a nice hotel right by the beach; I felt like I was in a hotel at Waikiki!
My roommates and I woke up at around 6:15 AM, and we met the others in the lobby at 7 so we could board the bus to go to the sand dunes. When we arrived there, we immediately had children asking us if we were interested in sledding down the hill for a small amount of cash. We were hesitant at first, but we couldn’t say no because we may never have another opportunity to go sledding on a sand dune again. Kim-Hee, Annalise, and I were the first three to slide down a hill that we thought was pretty steep. After we had rode down a few times, the children asked us if we wanted to ride down the bigger hill. We didn’t realize how big the hill was until we got there, and I have to say, I was actually scared! After the first few times we rode down the hill (and busted a sweat coming walking back up), the other girls rode down too, and it was hilarious watching their reactions as they rode down for the first time.
(Out of all the reactions I’ve seen this trip, nothing can beat Hayley’s freak-out while riding the ostrich; definitely one of the highlights of this trip.)
When we got back to the resort, a majority of us had booked appointments at the salon, where we were able to be pampered for about an hour. My experience at the spa was very relaxing, and the staff was so friendly to everyone.
This was one of my favorite days of the trip; I feel as if it served as somewhat of a bonding day with the other girls.
Made it back to Seoul
We are now at the gate in the Incheon airport waiting for our flight to Honolulu. We had a great day shopping and eating in the Insadong district. We will post a few more pictures and reflections when we get home. Aloha!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Reflection by Miranda
To be quite frank, it's a stressful moment when we step onto Unicorn Island, a place filled with the underprivileged, yet hopeful. They are those who make two dollars a day (if they're lucky) on a job that requires no educational skill, but an unimaginable amount of diligence, patience, and optimism. Vietnam has the most optimism out of any country I've ever been to or heard of. Surviving war, genocide, and imperialism, Vietnam is a misunderstood country filled with unacknowledged people. After ten visits to what I consider my home country I have decided that it's never enough. I always seek more and always find myself learning something new about myself with every homecoming. Now, more than ever, I have come to appreciate the ability to forgive, love, and seek positivity. Forced to mature faster than the rest of the children in the world, I relate. Taking in the love from every passing stranger, I assimilate. Realizing our world is a never-ending flow of opportunities for an education that expands further than a classroom, I appreciate. Have you ever seen a five year-old pick an infant off the tile floor, sling their tiny arms around the chubby torso, and then watch as the toddler goes about his business? As if this toddler has any particular business to go about… We Americans cringe at the site, only because we would never trust a toddler with an infant, let alone have a toddler watch over and carry an infant. A striking moment of relative comparison was at the Buddhist orphanage in the countryside between Saigon and Phan Thiet. As I sat on the refreshingly cold tile floor facing the pearl marble Buddha, infants and toddlers alike sat amongst each other curious as to see what we we're doing there. There were many children that I recognized from previous visits and many that I had watched growing up. Phuong, roughly seven years of age, was born with a mental retardation and who had been there every visit that I could recall. This remarkable human being was just as curious and quick as the others and felt the same responsibility to the infants as the mentally capable children. He would comfort a crying baby and soothed her back to a glowing smile. As he sat with her he would continue to peel off stickers and decorate a picture of himself that we had taken that same day. These children will never be given opportunities that we have, never given a proper education or have the luxury of buying a new dress just because we can. It's harsh the word never. Who are we to say one, or all, of these kids will somehow break free of their life and strive to their full potential? Without a single doubt, I know they could. I looked into their eyes and saw endless ambition that sparked something inside me to want to be better, to love who I am, to appreciate the life I live, to strive for my passions, to let go of my judgment, to release my negativity, to embrace those who care for me, and let in and to forgive those who have hurt me. I see in these children a light of promise and energy that I can still feel radiating throughout me. I dedicate my life to reaching the nirvana I saw in Phuong.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Sand Dunes in Mui Ne
For those who are worried about Noel after her ostrich "experience," here she is enjoying the dunes.
Logan and Annalise
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Noel's and Emily's Reflections
(Noel)
March 24, 2011: a day that will live in infamy as the day I was thrown and trampled underneath the feet of an angry, savage ostrich. Indeed, during a seemingly innocent trip to the beautiful Mango Gardens in the city of Vuon Xoai, I was subject to this near death-by-pulverization experience. Here follows the thrilling tale of today's endeavors:
Following a lengthy bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City, the group reached the Mango Gardens and was given the opportunity to "tame the beast," so to speak, by catching a ride on the back of nature's largest bird: the ostrich. While simple in theory, as we have all entertained dreams of riding magical creatures at one time or another, the process of ostrich riding is far more difficult than first presumed. First, there is the fact that you are several feet off the ground, which leads to the all-consuming idea that one is liable to fall from several feet off the ground (quite a distance). Then there is the tricky process of gripping the ostrich's wings with your hands,
while squeezing the body with your knees, while leaning back to drive the utterly un-drivable ostrich forward. Despite all of these difficulties, my comrades fared extremely well. I will never cease to applaud Hayley's phenomenally successful trip around the pen, complete with an equally admirable soprano shriek. I admire Maya for remaining firmly seated on the great beast for the entire duration of her ride and Mandy's managing to fashionably ride down the pen, sporting aviator sunglasses. Likewise I commend Emily's neat and calculated dismount resulting in her landing neatly on her feet and Sara's graceful spin around the ostrich's
neck, which befits her elite ballerina status. Finally, I respect Logan for being the first among us students to attempt the mount and Mr. Dang for being our first fearless rider, losing a slipper in the process. I, on the other hand, paralyzed with fear realized with a sinking feeling soon into my ride that I was unable to maintain the necessary death grip on the black feathered wings and would soon gracelessly meet the damp sand and leaves that covered the bottom of the pen. Figuring that the impact would be no less traumatic if drawn out, I shut my eyes, grit my teeth, and toppled from the back of my ostrich, hoping for a painless end. First I felt solid ground telling me that I had indeed survived. Next, shockingly I felt a weight on my back as
something walked over me. Later I learned the ostrich had, after heartlessly pitching me off its back, tripped over me and made its way across the pen. After brushing away the sand and, yes I admit, tears, I pronounced war on all ostriches and the group proceeded to the grass sledding hills and crocodile farms further along in the gardens. However, now in the safety of my beautiful room at the Allezboo Resort in the city of Mui Ne, though I am still finding sand behind my ears, I must admit that, after a talk with team chaperone Ms. David, I would
rather have had this experience than not, as it is one like no other. When else in my life can I say that I was nearly trampled to death by an ostrich? This is the reason why Viet Nam has as of yet been such a valuable trip: the many adventures have been utterly unique belonging under the "once in a lifetime" division. It also helps that on the bus ride away from Mango Gardens to Phuoc Thien Orphanage the group enjoyed ostrich eggrolls.
(Emily):
After the Mango Garden, we went to the Buddhist orphanage, where we made frames for the photographs we took of the children there, and decorated them with the children. When we realized that there weren't enough frames for every child, we didn't know that a better alternative would come along: stickers. Due to Sara's large supply of various animal stickers, we were able to entertain the children for a renewed amount of time. It was really rewarding to be with them because, even though the children at this orphanage, unlike the first orphanage we went to, didn't speak any English at all, we were able to "communicate" with a combined language of various hand signals understood by all. I loved being able to peel off stickers while the children pointed to the ones they wanted on their picture frames.
March 24, 2011: a day that will live in infamy as the day I was thrown and trampled underneath the feet of an angry, savage ostrich. Indeed, during a seemingly innocent trip to the beautiful Mango Gardens in the city of Vuon Xoai, I was subject to this near death-by-pulverization experience. Here follows the thrilling tale of today's endeavors:
Following a lengthy bus ride from Ho Chi Minh City, the group reached the Mango Gardens and was given the opportunity to "tame the beast," so to speak, by catching a ride on the back of nature's largest bird: the ostrich. While simple in theory, as we have all entertained dreams of riding magical creatures at one time or another, the process of ostrich riding is far more difficult than first presumed. First, there is the fact that you are several feet off the ground, which leads to the all-consuming idea that one is liable to fall from several feet off the ground (quite a distance). Then there is the tricky process of gripping the ostrich's wings with your hands,
while squeezing the body with your knees, while leaning back to drive the utterly un-drivable ostrich forward. Despite all of these difficulties, my comrades fared extremely well. I will never cease to applaud Hayley's phenomenally successful trip around the pen, complete with an equally admirable soprano shriek. I admire Maya for remaining firmly seated on the great beast for the entire duration of her ride and Mandy's managing to fashionably ride down the pen, sporting aviator sunglasses. Likewise I commend Emily's neat and calculated dismount resulting in her landing neatly on her feet and Sara's graceful spin around the ostrich's
neck, which befits her elite ballerina status. Finally, I respect Logan for being the first among us students to attempt the mount and Mr. Dang for being our first fearless rider, losing a slipper in the process. I, on the other hand, paralyzed with fear realized with a sinking feeling soon into my ride that I was unable to maintain the necessary death grip on the black feathered wings and would soon gracelessly meet the damp sand and leaves that covered the bottom of the pen. Figuring that the impact would be no less traumatic if drawn out, I shut my eyes, grit my teeth, and toppled from the back of my ostrich, hoping for a painless end. First I felt solid ground telling me that I had indeed survived. Next, shockingly I felt a weight on my back as
something walked over me. Later I learned the ostrich had, after heartlessly pitching me off its back, tripped over me and made its way across the pen. After brushing away the sand and, yes I admit, tears, I pronounced war on all ostriches and the group proceeded to the grass sledding hills and crocodile farms further along in the gardens. However, now in the safety of my beautiful room at the Allezboo Resort in the city of Mui Ne, though I am still finding sand behind my ears, I must admit that, after a talk with team chaperone Ms. David, I would
rather have had this experience than not, as it is one like no other. When else in my life can I say that I was nearly trampled to death by an ostrich? This is the reason why Viet Nam has as of yet been such a valuable trip: the many adventures have been utterly unique belonging under the "once in a lifetime" division. It also helps that on the bus ride away from Mango Gardens to Phuoc Thien Orphanage the group enjoyed ostrich eggrolls.
(Emily):
After the Mango Garden, we went to the Buddhist orphanage, where we made frames for the photographs we took of the children there, and decorated them with the children. When we realized that there weren't enough frames for every child, we didn't know that a better alternative would come along: stickers. Due to Sara's large supply of various animal stickers, we were able to entertain the children for a renewed amount of time. It was really rewarding to be with them because, even though the children at this orphanage, unlike the first orphanage we went to, didn't speak any English at all, we were able to "communicate" with a combined language of various hand signals understood by all. I loved being able to peel off stickers while the children pointed to the ones they wanted on their picture frames.
It was heartwarming, to say the least, when babies were picked up and carried around by other children not much older than themselves, because the babies couldn't walk around on their own. As we were about to leave, with half of us already in the bus, I turned around and saw a couple people blowing bubbles, which were immediately a hit with the children. Once again, Sara's donations were received with the utmost love and happiness, and it was with the air full of bubbles that we left them for another long car ride to the Allezboo Resort and Spa.
When I heard resort, I didn't realize it meant this! The hotel is so fancy, with a huge fountain, and an even bigger swimming pool with a view of the ocean. Tomorrow, I believe, will be a spa day at the resort. I'm excited for our remaining days in Vietnam, and eager to do some more bargaining, which, as I have figured out in the past few days, is tons of fun once you learn to not get offended and that you have to walk away anywhere from 2 to 7 times in order to get a good deal.
Note to parents
Dear Parents,
There is a slight change in plan. We are going to stay at the Palace Hotel from March 26-27. Below is the address and phone number. On a different note, we arrived at the Allezboo this afternoon after having a full day of activities. Everyone is happy and healthy.
Best Regards,
Vinh
Fax : (84-8) 38244229
There is a slight change in plan. We are going to stay at the Palace Hotel from March 26-27. Below is the address and phone number. On a different note, we arrived at the Allezboo this afternoon after having a full day of activities. Everyone is happy and healthy.
Best Regards,
Vinh
Palace Hotel
56 - 66 Nguyen Hue Street . District 1
Ho Chi Minh City. Viet Nam
Fax : (84-8) 38244229
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Sara's and Kim-Hee's Reflection
Day two of our Vietnam experience and the adventures already countless! Today's excursions included a tour of Ben Tre on the famous Mekong Delta where we received cultural exposure through live music, exotic foods, exciting modes of transportation, and human (and snake) interactions!
After riding two boats across the river we went to a coconut candy factory where we learned how to wrap candy. It was a square of nutty goodness; which we purchased to share at home. Afterwards, we took another boat ride, this time on very small tippy boats that only held four people. It was a different type of experience that seemed very authentic. From there we went to a village where we drank honey tea, sampled fruit, listen to traditional music and if brave enough held a python. Along the way we passed out stuffed animals. To say people in Vietnam really enjoy stuffed animals would be an understatement. They enjoy it so much that they go to the lengths of swarming around who ever has the bag or box of stuffed animals. Sara Yuen and Mr. Dang are able to testify on this. Following that we took a horse drawn carriage ride, which was very exciting and filled with screams of laughter. On the way, we saw a water buffalo.
To conclude our tour of the Mekong Delta, we made very good bargains, on sunglasses, shirts and hats. The rest of day was spent freely according to what we desired. Some went shopping, others got their hair done, while a few rested. That evening we went to dinner to get a taste of traditional Vietnamese food. It was quite exciting to see them through our dinner across the room. Our dinner consisted of tasty food such as fish soup, spring rolls, tofu, spicy chicken, and pig's brain.
On the way back to from the restraunt we stopped at the night market where we were able to experience nightlife in Vietnam. Although we were very tired we conjured up the strength to bargain, test our math skills, and to just stay awake.
Finally we returned to the hotel, where we took much-needed showers and collapsed on our beds after writing this reflection.
So far our trip has been event-full to say the least. We've done so much in such a little amount of time. We can say on behalf of the whole group, that this truly is a new and exciting experience. There is such a different culture here, we are learning new and different things everyday in addition to making memories that'll last forever.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)