Rewind and Recap

We're back on home turf, and we can't believe it's all over! With the sporadic internet connections we had over the last two weeks in Viet Nam, it was hard to share our adventures. But now, we can catch up and show you what went on.

Fazila showed you our closing ceremony, all dressed up to receive our certificates of completion, and here's our final dinner at the Asean Restaurant where we had many an interesting conversation over smiling fish and steaming soups.

Final Ceremony

I cannot believe we have completed the program!

My tutor just sent this to me. It is our last group photo in front of the Univeristy.

Relief

The big exam is behind us. We get to celebrate our general success with a dinner out thanks to the rector of the university. A formal affair of sorts: the invitation says "food and drink festival." Should be fun.

In the morning, we're off early to Sapa. A mountainous region, Sapa is home to many of the ethnic minorities we've been hearing so much about including the H'Mong and the Black Thai (based on their indigo-dyed clothes). It's a three-day, two-night weekend, and we're all excited. It's our last big hurrah before the events of next week: a few school visits, the final class, a last meeting with our wonderful tutors, and the closing reception. And packing: boy, that should be interesting.

We're all exhaling a big sigh of relief. No matter how we did in the class or on the exam, we were a success. We learned a heck of a lot immersed in a brand new culture (for us), and we had an experience beyond compare.

School visits

We made our first visit to a local school, and it was a special school at that. The Ethnic Minority HIgh School is one of a kind. It caters to studentsof the northern ethnic groups from the remote mountain regions. While they learn the necessary requirements, they are also encouraged to practice their own cultural traditions. We were the audience for a performance by a handful of groups; singing and dancing, storytelling and more, were put before us with heart and great skill. To say we were impressed is an understatement.

We were also able to sit in a few classes and noted the similarities and differences of our classrooms and theirs. One simple difference is the size of the classes, between 40-50, and the behavior of those numbers: not a peep unless the teacher directed it. Discipline is not an issue (or, it's not as major an issue as we often address at home).

It was a terrific experience for all involved.

Viet Nam Rewind

We're jumping around as our trip comes to a close, but let's take a look at what else we've done way before Ha Long Bay (though we LOVED Ha Long Bay).

We also really like Hoi An and the Da Nang area, including the UNESCO site of My Son. Hoi An is an old town, representing Japanese, Chinese and local influences. It's a silk haven, as well, with overnight tailor shops turning out dresses and suits. Lanterns lit the roads, and the streets were crowded with people from all over the world.

Before we took off to head back home to Thai Nguyen, we made a stop at My Son archeological site (it's an active archeological site). What an amazing experience -- older than Cambodia's Angkor Wat, My Son was the site of the Cham people for hundreds of years. As with many ancient sites, there is the wonder of how the unique stones were brought to the mountainous region. It was breathtaking:

Da Nang itself was interesting, more for the recent history than the hustle and bustle of this city. Electricity only made it to Da Nang in the '90s, and they've made a lot of progress since then . It was beautiful flying in.

This was a terrific trip, and the following week was Ha Long Bay, and this weekend is Sa Pa: we're certainly wrapping up our trip with a bang.

Meteor Shower

We'll entertain you with tales of our great Vietnamese adventures again soon but I was happy to pick up this new report.

http://vn.news.yahoo.com/mưa-sao-băng-sắp-xuất-hiện.html

It's in Vietnamese but I could figure out the gist of it (Language success): This weekend the Perseids meteor shower will be lighting up the night sky. And we'll be high in the northwestern mountains with what could be a most awesome view.

This is our last week of classes, and our final exam is on Thursday -- wish us luck|

This our last week of school, I cannot believe it!

Aftermath of Ha Long Bay..

I would LOVE to go back. Ha Long Bay was spectacular! It was everything I expected....and more! The rain after breakfast was a pleasant surprise. Even though our swimming time was canceled, we still enjoyed the view.

[Attempting] Doing Sun Salutations with Robin and Shelly was the perfect ending to our morning.

I am going to share my favorite photo. I hope you all enjoy it!

Legend of the Lake

A local attraction we took in on our journey was a trip to Thai Nguyen's Nui Coc Lake. The long term goal for the area is as a major tourist destination, and they are building hotels nearby.
The park is part water-park, part picnic area, with swan boats and lake tours, pools, and other venues. We didn't get to see the whole area -- time is always of the essence on our day and weekend trips -- but we did get to go into The Halls of Legends, theme-park inspired walk/ride-throughs where you are given the a series of legends related to the lake and to the country. (Although our Vietnamese still wasn't prepared for the narration.)
The Lake's legend involves two young, star-crossed lovers who are not allowed to marry due to his being poor and her being rich. He, Coc, dies heartbroken, and fairies turn him into a mountain; she, Cong, cries terrible tears of anguish which become a river (Cong River) that feeds the lake surrounding the mountain.

It's a story as old as mankind, it seems, and it fits the beauty of the region. Truth be told, we were just happy to go swimming and beat the heat for a little bit.



We also were able to partake of what Thai Nguyen is most famous: tea! (In fact, as the legend goes, Cong's tears help irrigate the tea fields.) We watched a traditional pouring of tea, and then were able to sample a few types. It was the perfect ending to our day... or so we though!
Following the tea factory, we piled back into the bus and went up the mountain, to the tea fields themselves. Vast tracts of tea, punctuated by rice paddies, as far as the eye could see. Chickens patrolled the rows, keeping insects in check. The process the tea right next to the fields, drying it out for packaging. It's nice to see local business keeping local people working.
Another weekend had come to a close.

Back in the saddle....

We've been experiencing some momentary technical problems here and there: our Internet access is sporadic, and this week, Typhoon Noch-Ten has thrown some weather-works our way (rain, and more rain). But we're here, working hard, learning all we can, and gearing up for the next big trip (as Fazila pointed out!).
We've had a lot of fun the past week or so, and we can't wait to let you know all about it.

The whole group at Nui Coc Lake, a local legend-inspired attraction.

--Maureen

Ha Long Bay

I cannot wait for this weekend! Ha Long Bay is what I have been dreaming about! I hope all goes well with the weather and there are no problems in our way! :)