Hello goodbye

I am approaching the home stretch of my stay here. During my time here I have eaten more fruit than a ravenous bear, walked more miles than a sweaty Richard Simmons, and seen the world in a completely different way. Not needing or wanting the constant stimulation of a new-York-city-style, in-your-face vietnamese street scene, I now realize the many things I have at home sitting on the sofa I am thankful for. I have peace and quiet, safe and clean friends and pets. I don't have any beggars harassing me as I walk down the street.

I know I will miss the riff raff and the energy and spunk of street life here - it simply cannot be replaced! And it is the impromptu randomness an adventures that I crave in life, but that my home life and Louisville culture doesn't do. The random smell of rubber in the air, really bad music videos and infomercials on TV, chocolate that says "Thailand" or "Belgium" but that's made in Vietnam. The peoples friendliness and willingness to invite you over at the drop of a hat is irreplaceable. People here daily give us the shirts on their backs - even students - just cause they are sincerely nice and happy that were here. You can see it in their faces.

Just the other day the head of the English club, a student, invited us out with the club to the pagoda and then out to eat. He bought cabs for everyone. Food for everyone. Gifts for us. And this is a student, who volunteers on top of school and student teaching. I had already determined that he was a god - he's not yet graduated school, but is clearly an excellent teacher. But it's interesting: what makes him a good teacher isn't his English. No, far from it. He conjugates every verb incorrectly, leaving out all s'es, a common problem here where they don't hear the consonants. He has enthusiasm and nothing can stop him from planning and delivering and organized lesson straight through. He has people energy and can think on his feet. After university, he's going to get his masters in ho chi Minh city. What a great town, so lucky to have such a nice guy.

What I won't miss from here socially are the people picking their noses, men especially. Sorry guys, I think men are just generally more interested in finding whatever it is in their noseys! Also the sneezes and weird nervous coughs. I wanna hear a big 'merican cough! Also the stupidisms. Why do you have to talk when someone else is talking in public? Do you really got to answer your phone every five seconds, even during banquets? Does this discussion of 30/2 have to last five minutes? How do you not understand that slamming your door does not shut it, but pushing it until it clicks does in a way that doesn't wake up all of hogwarts. And, oh yeah, tame your dog, child, rooster, squalking bird, or man peeing in the stream. That's really too old to be seen in public..

Today I was evaluated (my teaching) by the head of foreign languages at the head of the provinces university. It went well. I had one of my best classes in terms of flow and pace of different materials being taught in a relevant order. It was quite fun!

Now I'm waiting for dinner, planning our weekend trip and trying to book my adventure for next next week. At this point I'm pretty pumped. A visit to ho chi minh city is in order and some swell history museums are there. History's not real big in this town, but I've read that the museums in ho chi Minh city are spectacular!

I'm washing clothes... For the second-to-last time.

As soon as you say goodbye I say hello...