Charm in the most unexpected places

(posted by: Stacy)

Today, we had to go to the hospital to have a medical checkup for our work permits. We were sent from laboratory to laboratory, given x-rays, an EKG, a physical, and, of course, a blood draw. In third world fashion, we played scavenger hunt, going here for this, there for that, running all over the hospital in a caucasian parade.

Any of you that know me know that I'm terrified of needles to the point of hyperventilating or passing out. In the states, I am able explain to the nurse, "I am terrified of needles, so I'm going to concentrate on that point on the ceiling over there, okay?" The nurse will give me a minute, then draw my blood without talking to or distracting me from my focus. I always have someone (usually Doug) hold my hand while I do anything that has the word "shot" or "needle" in it. Today was no different.

It took awhile to communicate that I needed Doug in the room with me. Finally, I got permission to bring him into the room. The two nurses that drew my blood today at FV Hospital in Saigon could tell that I was incredibly nervous. This nervousness was only amplified by the fact that I need to make sure that they're using a new needle and disinfecting the appropriate areas. In the states, I don't need to think about cleanliness or hepatitis or anything else third world, so I can focus my energy on becoming and remaining calm. Here, though, there are so many things I have to worry about besides the little pinch.

So, today, as the nurses were fluttering about, saying over and over, "breed fadst," by which I think they meant, "breath slowly," rubbing my hands, telling me "it's okay," and "don't worry," I was hyperventilating and unable to focus the way I needed to. Doug tried to quiet them because he knew I needed to focus, but they didn't understand the way Westerners are, that we are a quieter and more reserved bunch. By the end of the blood draw, during which I did not breathe at all, I could no longer hold up my head and felt as though I was going to black out any minute. Doug had chocolate on standby and the kind, although sweetly overbearing, nurses gave me juice. It took about 10 minutes for me to recover. Thank goodness for having someone with me abroad, I can't imagine being there alone.

As I was lying there, the older of the two nurses blotted my face, rubbed my arms, and massaged my hands. She gave me a blanket, rubbed my forehead, and said, "You same my daughter." Her eyes reassured me and I knew that her heart was bigger than about 97% of the people I've met in my life. Her unexpected kindness was much appreciated and made the whole ordeal a little less awful. And, so, I found charm in the most unexpected of places.

Reunification Palace

Posted by: Stacy

(Note: I had promised a blog on the Jade Emperor Pagoda, which we visited last weekend, but my camera battery is dead. Normally, I would just charge the battery and upload the photos, but I used our converter today and it started smoking...not a good sign. So, no functioning converter, no charging the camera and, thus, no photos of Jade Emperor Pagoda. Don't worry, though, I'll get them up as soon as I can!)

Today, Doug and I, along with a few new friends, visited Reunification Palace in Ho Chi Minh City. Wikipedia very nicely summarizes the historical merit of the building:

Reunification Palace (Vietnamese: Dinh Thống Nhất) formerly known as Independence Palace (Dinh Độc Lập), built on the site of the former Norodom Palace, is a landmark in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. It was designed by architect Ngo Viet Thu and was the home and workplace of the President of South Vietnam during the Vietnam War. It was the site of the end of the Vietnam War during the Fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975, when a North Vietnamese Army tank crashed through its gates.

The site is a very popular tourist destination and spectacular in its own right. While history usually bores me, this was actually quite interesting. From the basement control rooms to elaborate rooftop ballrooms, Reunification Palace is a must-see if you visit Saigon. Enjoy the photo tour below.

Day One, District One

(posted by: Stacy)

We arrived Friday evening on a delayed flight, went through customs, and stepped into the city that we will call home for the next year.

Walking out of the Saigon airport is a little overwhelming. If you've ever seen footage of fans waiting for a celebrity to walk the red carpet, then you might have an idea of how the airport is set up. The first thing we were met with was throngs of Vietnamese crammed against the railing, trying to watch for whoever it is they're waiting for. Some are holding signs, some are asking if you need a taxi, and some are just, well, staring at you like you just arrived on a spaceship from Venus.

We were met by a colleague and waiting for another to arrive on a later flight, then hired two cabs (one for luggage and one for us). I wasn't able to see much out of our taxi windows as we took the 15 minute ride to our apartment, but what I did see looked very similar to Santo Domingo. The tall buildings, palm trees, weather, and traffic screamed Dominican Republic to me as I strained my eyes to see take in the city that night.

The next morning, we woke up, got ready, wandered to the balcony at the end of our hallway, and looked out over our neighborhood. Apparently, we're in the nicest district in town.

The owner of our building suggested that we eat at Black Cat restaurant, which is just across the street and over from where we're staying. We insisted on starting the morning in the most authentically Vietnamese way, as you can tell from the photos below.

After breakfast, our Vietnamese American colleague offered to take us into District One, which is the touristy part of the city. I took a few shots out of the taxi window on the way.

We were dropped off and set off on foot to explore. I, unfortunately, had sliced open my toe within five minutes of arriving at our apartment the night before. But, oh well, what's a little injury when there's so much exploring to do?

The city is really different from anything I've ever seen. There are so many different types of buildings and hundreds of little stores within this one district.

Oh, and, the power lines in this city are worse than any I've ever seen in my entire life!

Eventually, we ended up near lovely pond, then headed to Benh Tham Market, a famous market in District 1.

At this point, we were hungry from all of the walking and decided to stop for lunch. It wasn't the best food, but it was fun to try all of the different dishes. The smoothies were yum!

Later, we decided to go to the supermarket to get some necessities for the week. The market is pretty nice and clean, but I was a little shocked that they sell such cute fish for people to go home and eat. Sad.

The produce section includes large barrels of rice for people to scoop themselves.

This section also sold several things I've never, ever seen before.

They also had lots of delicious-looking fruit. The photo below is dragon fruit, which is apparently amazing. I'm looking forward to trying it!

All in all, our first day was pretty great! The city is very unique, although living in the hectic, tourist-filled District 1 might slowly drive a person mad.

Coming up: Day Two, Jade Emperor's Pagoda

A little thing called...

(posted by: Stacy)

...transition. The in between.

This seldom talked about phase of moving abroad is often the most important. This is the point in which you are selling, storing, and giving away your things, saying goodbyes over coffee and dinners, and trying to convince yourself that leaving really is worth it. It's the time when the traditional American dream starts to creep its way into your everyday thoughts: comfort, stability, home ownership. It's also the time when you have to remind yourself, day after day, second after second, that it really is worth it. That it's the adventure that matters. That all of those wonderful people and things will be there when you return.

Why is this adventure so important? Why do we seek to discover the world, to crawl across the continents, to eat weird food and drink local beer and stay in two-dollar-a-night hotels? Why are we ever-seeking the otherness of worlds outside our own?

I think that it's the same reason that many people lose (or find) religion later in life. It's as though we need to see what we're not in order to validate what we are. Maybe this isn't true for everyone, but I think that, in a lot of ways, this holds a little truth for everyone. Travel allows us to hold views that are "justified," to really "know" how the world is. It allows us to have a varied world view and, most importantly, a wide range of experiences to draw upon.

And, I will say, travel is quite cathartic in many ways. There is a certain freedom in being far away from everything that is normal and comfortable, everything that has so long caused you to stay the way you are. I have evolved in the past year from a person who was too cautious to cross the road without the bright white walk signal to a girl who jumped and slid down 27 waterfalls in the the Dominican Republic. The euphoria I feel in being a little wreckless (I did wear a helmet and life vest, so I'm not that wild) has leveled out my person and allowed me to really enjoy life in a way that I might not have been able to.

And, so, on Friday we will arrive in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam to start the next phase in our lives and travels. I'm the first to admit my apprehension, partially because I know just how difficult the first few months can be. Culture shock really has a way of creeping in on you slowly; sometimes you think that you're well-adjusted and enjoying yourself, then bam! it hits you, all of the sudden, like someone just cut the hot water in your wonderfully warm shower.

This time will be very different from the last. Our jobs are such that we should have the time and freedom to really enjoy ourselves in this new and interesting place. Travel should be easier, less expensive, more accessible, and more enjoyable now that I don't have piles of grading waiting for me the second I get home. This experience should, in many ways, be the experience we were hoping for in our last location. Pero, a ver...