Thank you Saigon!

My my look at the time, could it be true that I am in actual fact spending my fourth Saturday in Vietnam? What's that whole theory of time flying and having fun? hmmm

So Saigon, although I have bought a ticket to Hanoi following the maybe greener pastures idea, I have to say this about the city that so easily took me in with a their welcoming band of hooting and friendly locals: Yes, I am reminded of Hillbrow and even Maputo most of the time but I am in love with the energy this city oozes. I have new understanding of the sidewalk cafe concept... there is literally a little stand every few 100 meters selling mostly iced drinks and the best iced coffee I have ever had in all of my life ( I admit the condensmilk does have something to do with it). The new arrival in Saigon would be forgiven for thinking that there is a kids party being set up on every corner, as these stands usually are accompanied with tiny plastic chairs to sit on. Perfect for taking 5 minutes to relax and watch the world go by, and so much is going by. This is not exclusive to the coffee stands though, entire restaurants are set up this way. The budget traveler (like myself) will also realise rather quickly that these options are way cheaper than the regte egte restaurants that can also be found everywhere.

What I also just really appreciate about Vietnam so far is the authenticity. Go on to Google images type in Vietnam and you are assured to see those colonial hats, woman in traditional dresses and those (ahem) long poles they use to carry EVERYTHING and ANYTHING on each side ( honestly can't think of a better way to try and explain this, sorry). Thing is though that you arrive here and it really does still look this way. Nothing as disappointing as those tourist might be who arrive at O.R Tambo with no Zulu warrior to be spotted anywhere.

It is a combination of being a history nerd and the respect that I want to show to my host country that made want to go to the History museum today. So with all good intentions I was off on a motorbike taxi to the address the Lonely Planet book assured it would be... to start off it was not there, I then proceeded to consult a numerous amount of locals as to where this is. Note to self: The Vietnamese are known for being really friendly and also for their pride: This makes a bad combination for the traveler, every person I ask gave me different directions! I then realised that they in actual fact do not understand what the hell I am saying but will not admit it, so rather with all smiles point left then right then into where I started. Alas I have given up on this ideal.

I did however make it to the War Museum, rather intense but definitely worth the visit. I was warned that it is very biased, but I must say that this somehow restored balance to what ever idea I had about the American War here. I have only ever had the perspective of well written first hand account books and Hollywood impressive films, so this was good to realise that there are still some stories untold. As a South African Afrikaans citizen I was also just reminded that each and every country seems to have blood on their hands, some shame... seems like non of us (citizens of the world) will ever be able to cast the first stone...

One more week left of the course before I head off to Hanoi, traveling with 3 others: The all American gal, one of the most liberal Americans I have ever met and a Brit that has forever destroyed any vision I had that all British men are like Hugh Grant or Mr. Darcy.... Amazing bunch of people so I am looking forward to this trip, as well as the adventure of something new.

Hoot, time and pizza...

Hooting in Saigon: please note that this has absolutely nothing to do with safety or anything practical here, this I have discovered, it is a mere ' I acknowledge you there fellow road user', nothing to be stressed about. I do feel the need to go on about the traffic a bit more, dull as it may sound, but it is simply insane! The fact that I have not seen anybody stop their motorbike, pull out a gun or at least resorted to some vulgar language and hand movements is simply beyond my South African mindset. I do believe that there should be some sort of a ceremony for every time I have crossed a manic busy street all by myself managing to keep all my limbs in tact. As my ma maar geweet het wat haar ou dogertjie doen!

In other news a bit more personal than hooting and my pure fascination, I am more than half way to my TEFL qualification. As part of the course we are required to get in a number of practical lessons before the end of the course. I have been as entertained as to give two lessons to an Engineer Varsity student and about 2 lessons to some high school kids. I must say that I have really surprised myself so far, I expected it to be much harder and I have found patience somewhere inside I never knew I had. Rather cute the way the kids are so interested to find out more about me, not so cute the way the boys feel it necessary to call me beautiful and so forth just before a lesson... tsk tsk kids! I must share that I was asked by my varsity student if Joburg is so dangerous because of all the wild animals, imagine. Basically me a teacher might just work out. So far so good.

I confess that I have been here more than two weeks and have hardly done anything of touristic (is that a word) value. The first weekend was geared towards getting over culture shock, second weekend recovering from staying up all night and the futile attempt of shopping. Then come the last weekend and was arrested by what I though was Swine Flu and hardly had the energy to walk to the window. So the coming weekend will be a date for all that is museum, cultural and Saigonish.

I started thinking about leaving Saigon and rather moving up to Hanoi... not as hectic, cooler and apparently more scenic. I admit that this inner crazy city living is starting to get to me, I'm used to space. Seeing as I'm living on the edge why not pack up and go somewhere new while I'm in the habit. I do however look forward to settling a bit, renting a house, buying pot plants, cooking my own dinner, you know. Not that I could possibly complain about the food here, most of the times it is so good and so affordable, I definitely am not going hungry here. Think this evening was the first time I had some western food... chicken and mushroom pizza. Somehow I have not had any sushi yet! I don't know how this happened and I'm sure Belinda is very worried about this.

That is all for now folks, I actually have homework, imagine that.

How to get over a "what the hell was I thinking" phase.

Step 1: As soon as possible find a bar.... wait a minute this is the wrong advise!

Try again:

Step 1: A sense of humor is vital, you will not survive without it. At times, okay 95% of the time you will be the only one laughing but that is fine. I repeat you can not leave home without this!

Step 2: Try and remember as much of each day as possible, it will help thinking about how terrified you where the day before and how much you have learnt since then. Before you know it you will think very fondly of your first few days and how you have grown since then. Stepping out of the airport with a million new faces staring at you, a taxi driver ripping you off and weather that makes you think your on holiday will soon become a great story to tell the people back home.

Step 3: E-mail your mother on a daily basis, you will not have a good day till she has sent you some wise words.

Step 4: Enjoy your own company... at times it will be the best conversation you can have.

So, I would like to carry on with my thesis with all my new found wisdom but to tell you the honest truth... I don't know if I have gotten over my "what the hell was I thinking' phase. Sometimes I think I have but then alas.

To sum up my first week in Saigon will go as follows: Hoora my guesthouse and course really do exist, I met a lot of Americans, fallen in love.... with the local ice coffee, lost my bank card so had to budget like mad for a few days, discovered the fine art of crossing the street with millions of scooters approaching ( slow walking and praying out loud), survived stepping on a rat, went out till day break....

I am simply amazed by just how different this place is compared to home. I believe that were would simply not be enough information on the Internet to prepare a girl on what to expect. Of course I knew some culture shock and tears would be involved and I even congratulated myself on preparing for this... but I did not expect it would be to such an intensity! Yes and the character building continues...

I have had about 5 days of TEFL in the bag and in a few days they actually expect us to start teaching for practical purposes.... Regte egte kinders in regte egte skole!! Don't feel like I have the skills for this at all so should be one those opportunities to use my own advise and apply as much humor as possible. Should I also admit the following heartbreaking truth? Okay then, I feel like I'm getting an American accent!!! We are about 9 people on the course and all but for a Scotsman and me they are all from the land of "dreams". Bunch of swell people though.

I go through ups and downs but overall I know I have made one of the best moves of my life so far, only a week but it feels like I could be a month. Walking down the street passing street cafes, colorful markets, the constant buzz of hooting and the drone of scooters that never seem to end, surprise rain storms and hats and locals staring at me.... it strikes me every time and suddenly to think that I'm actually in Vietnam!