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Friday, March 30, 2012

Change of plans

Hey everyone!
I have 5 quick things i want to say before i head into Hong Kong.
1. The Vietnam War post is being postponed until Japan.
2. For Dr. Sun: I am not heading to Beijing due to time constraints, changes and finances so i will be in Shanghai for about 5 days total. 2 of the days i will be doing class related trips and the other 3 will be on my own. Email me with suggestions
3. Japan plans have been changed and i will update with a new plan
4. All posts on China will not be put up until Japan
5. All Japan posts will be delayed because of school work.
 
Thats all folks!

Thursday, March 29, 2012

Vietnam Day 4 & 5

Day 4:

It was amazing this morning as we went to a disabled school in one of the poorer areas of Ho Chi Minh City. The school had mainly deaf students who were really lively and reciprocated to us so well. It was such an amazing experience to be able to hand them pencils, pens, crayons and other things but the biggest reward was seeing a smile on their faces when you gave them something. The school works with these children and even assists in teaching the parents of how to deal with the children and some sign language so that they can communicate with the children better. I loved being able to play catch with them and just see their faces.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Day 5:

Today I went to the Mekong Delta and it was such an amazing experience and the food was so good (minus the coconut juice. sorry everyone, I normally don't like coconuts and I got a stomach ache from it)

We stopped at the markets on our way there and saw so much fruits, vegetables, chicken, meat, fish and tons of rice of all different types. Just an amazing sight to see so much food being sold in the area. J

(Above: These were how many types of rice? O.O Can you count them? Below: Eel it is! Good eating tonight! Ha ha!)

After the market we went on a boat across the delta and then rode on a horse carriage down the streets then went on several other boats and just for the record, I wore the hat! Proof!

We stopped at several places along the way and I enjoyed the time trying so many fruits and foods until I couldn't eat anymore! I loved the experience.

I had amazing tea with honey and Kumquat fruit which made it taste like apple cider along with other fruits.

 (Top: Pinapple, Jack Fruit (top left), Grapefruit (Top right), Mango(bottom left), Dragonfruit(bottom right) )

Yeah I ate this guy down here with vegetables, rice mixed with squid and shrimp, prawns, chicken and noodles plus soup.

 

FYI: The Vietnam War Piece will be up in a couple of days. Thanks and sorry about the delay!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Vietnam Day 2 & 3: Please Read the bottom for side announcements

Day 2 consisted of shopping and therefore I didn't take any pictures. I was having a good time and really enjoyed every moment of my time just walking about the city and enjoying the sights. Today I got up early to do my service visit at a government sponsored school in district 7 of Ho Chi Minh City or Saigon as most people still fondly remember it as. The school is for handicapped children and the ages range from 3 to 18 that are in this school. They were such an amazing set of children. Some of them had a lot of energy and one broke my card from around the key ring so my card is broken at one of the corners. I was a little surprised because I thought he was actually going to pull the camera bag from around my neck not the card. It was good to be able to interact with the children and play games as well as dance with them. One of the children, she was around 8 or 9 years old and she jumped on me and clung to my body. She wanted me to carry her but she was at least 85 pounds so I couldn't exactly carry her so I had to get her off of me. It was so much fun though but it ended so soon. I was glad to have had a great time though.

 

 

 

 

 

I went to the Notre Dame Cathedral which was a little bit north of city hall that I also took pictures of.

(Above: the City hall, Below: Notre Dame Catherdal)

FYI: I am not writing about Day 1 because it was all about the Vietnam War and I am still working on the whole thing. It might take me awhile so expect it to possibly not make it until the night before I get to China. J Miss everyone! BYE BYE!!