The weather was inviting and cool, somewhat like Genting. Excitement was in the air as we clamboured onboard the bus. We drove past fields and fields of what-I-supposed agriculture.
& I'm sick of this commentary mood I have.
Okay, basically the plane ride was soso because I was stuck in the middle in the middle aisle with no good company (no offense people) I was just bored. I'm sure the two people besides me too. I'm not insulted. It's okay and very normal. The cool weather was unexpected. I expected it to be "as hot as Singapore, just without the wind"
What a bit of rubbish, I loved the weather. So... Fast forward. Hanoi Prison ( Yawn) Stock-Taking( Yawn Yawn, really nothing much. First experience with Viet Dong though. Confusion! )Old Quarters ( Helluva shopping paradise! 10 000 dong!
No No! 5000.
No No! )
& the train ride. It was my first time on a train. How exciting. We waited at quite a rundown station ( Come on! I'm used to our MRT stations already) & waited & boarded. Couldn't handle my luggage. So heavy, managed it anyway. So boarded it and couldn't wait for it to start moving. Only when it started moving could you use the toilet by the way. So there. It was a long (10 hour) bumpy ride. Rocky, Shaky, Disturbing... are all words you can use to describe. But it was generally fine. (The company, baby!)
Lao Cai ( Pronounced as Lao Kai LOL, I cai-ed all the way until someone corrected me towards the end of the trip)
Early morning, dazed as dazed can be. Hopped on a van towards Sapa.
Bumpy, Long ride ahead. Bufffet breakfast for the first time.
Headed to school. Grand welcome with bitter green tea and two rows of students. Treated to performances. Very touched for some weird reason. Wanted to cry at the sudden unexpectedness of their preparation. Went back to hotel. Had a funny lunch ( Funny Lunch would be used to describe the next few days' lunch consisting of bread and pathetic slices of ham & cucumber & tomato & yoghurt & fruits) Went back to school and did work. Construction work. Tore down bed frames and cleard hostel Gung Ho Boy is very strong. Strong than me. Tough shizzz. End of Day 1 in Ta Van Secondary. Kids are cute. Very tired. No tea party.
Sat. Day 2. Officially the first day we construct and interact. Collect sand from the stream 10 minutes away from the school. Human chain-ed. Shovelled my life away. Satisfaction. Taught English. Wanted to die ( Okay, exaggeration. Real tired however) Dissapointment. Dinner outside finally. Window shopped. Tribal people peddling their wares. Briefing. Late. Tea party perhaps? Talked, laughed, laid down dead. Kids are cute. Very tired.
Sun. Rest day already. Three and a half hours ride to Bac Ha Market which opens on Sunday. minority groups all flock here to sell thing. Missed a chance to meet Miss Tong ( I hope you're enjoying UK) Fun bargains. Met Singaporeans. Briefing and more late planning.
Mon. Day 3. English again. This time, evenly distributed. Construction was back-breaking. Picking up stones we've dumped and paving the levelled ground. Felt the same apprehension about teaching. Was quite glad it was over. Tension in the meeting. Didnt want to switch. Headache and tears. Something picture of the day. Relief at long last. Kids are cute.
Tues. Day 4. Games and Arts& Crafts. Could be counted as quite lost.
Chao Kuan easily identified. All fun & games. Balloon sculpturing and Dog& Bone. Conclusion all children games are violent and therefore unsuitable for children. Construction was slacksazxz. Nothing specific to do. Tired. Kids are cute.
Wed. Day 5. Same thing. Games and Arts& Crafts. Taught them the sunflower. Close bonds(?!) Telematch. Flour and PingPong. Bossed around. Not interacting well. Personal attacks. Sensitivity. Positivenss attracts. All Haha-Hehe. Washed green doors and windows and ended up with an aching back and green fingers. Not that I can plant but literally, the paint all falls off. Witnessed the killing of a duck. Slach the neck, collect the duck. Dunk in hot water and pluck off all the feathers as the glassy lolling eyes stare glassyly at you. Nope, No duck rice for me for now.Briefing(YAWN. IT'S GETTING ON MY NERVES) Kids are cute. Farewells looms near.
Thur. Day 6. Trek was the best. Interesting. Visited homes and saw animals. ( Hey, that's a billy goat.
No, how did you name the goat's name was Billy? *all together* Hahahahahahah) Incense sticks and buffalos and meat and hospitals. Bridges and rocks and fields. Photographs. (: Crazy old man. Catholic church. Steep slopes. Cute puppies. Farewell. Dance and singalongs. Gazillions of tourists staring. Sushi and fried beehoon. Sad business though I never expected it to be. Drunk and privileges taken advantage of. Annoyance, it's not cool to drink and get drunk. Tears and goodbyes. Take cares and the old incident where someone remembers my name. Deeply touched and sad. I'm not a failure afterall. Long goodbye. Tearful trek to vans 10 mins away. Silent tears and sniffles the whole way and with arms locked, our hearts sank. Van 1 came last, difficult to leave and not cry. Routine is all over and nothing will be the same again. 4 person showered. 2 and a half hours down mountainous terrain in the dark. Loud Viet Instrumental. Pho Bo with a very sick Jie Ying. Train Ride back. Abi and Ginger gone mad over chocolate buns. Snored ( Sorry Abi! )
Fri. Temple of Literature. Museum of Ethnology. Booooring. Okay, make that BOOOOOOORING. Hungry. Late lunch. Crazy shopping. Adidas store. No moolah. Good late lunch ( Papa Joes. Good & fast service with the guys' craving of fast food satisfied) Water puppet show. (SNORTS. REST TIME) Some more shopping. Crazy shitass deals. Back to hotel. Sleepy briefing in makeshift briefing room. Tea Party. Mtv. Poor Abi. WTF scenario. Sleep.
Sat. Ho Chin Minh's body. One Pillar Pagoda. It was fairly interesting. The body looked fake and yet commanded every ounce of respect, be it the fact you like or dislike communism. This man liberated a country. The numerous armed men reinforced that fact too. Soon to the airport and back. A little frustration but all solved with sleep I hope.
The 5 Pictures I want to post.
Tea Party Time! (:
Bus 1 people!
Classroom Staple
My Favourite Girl ( A little temperamental)
My Favourite Boy. (Very naughty yet shy)
If you finished reading this post, you would have experienced some the of emotions and feelings we've all went through in this OCIP trip. I hoped you've enjoyed it as much as we have.
CheapCheap 10000 Dong! Please Please!
I feel like a 14 year old who's still optimistic about love & true friendships & hope. It shouldn't feel wrong right?I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes (:Labels: Vietnam
