Saturday, May 22, 2010

New Home

A little over a month ago, my roommate and I moved to a new house as a result of the theft incident at our old location. While living in our previous home, I thought we were extremely blessed as our house was very nice, spacious and in a quiet neighborhood.

Yet, I must say that I really, really, really like our new house. The house is very new, homey and inviting. It is decorated in a European, modern way and I have a larger bedroom in this house with an air conditioning unit (a very important asset in the extremely hot summer months in Hue). We also have a nice view of the neighborhood from our rooftop terrace and our land lady is absolutely wonderful and speaks English very well which makes communication much easier. She lives right next door to us so she is very close for the times in which case we need to sort something house-related out.

God sure has a way of surprising us sometimes by providing us with even greater blessings then the ones we've already been given. I am very thankful for His provisions.





Family Visit to Asia - Part 3

I have now spent over four months living and working in Vietnam which has included taking part in customs and traditions that are important to the Vietnamese, learning about Vietnamese cuisine and entertainment, trying to understand the Vietnamese way of business and just experiencing the culture in a variety of different facets -- one that is far different from own, I might add. I might also add that this in no way makes me an expert on Vietnamese culture -- not even close! -- but it does provide me with a lot of personal insight that one living in another culture could not derive just by reading in a book.

So, when my family arrived in Hue to better understand how I have been living and working here in Central Vietnam I was excited to be able to show them the "true Vietnamese experience" based upon my own familiarity with the culture thus far. Of course we visited the main tourist attractions including the citadel, a dragon boat ride down the Perfume River, the kings' tombs and shop for souvenirs. Yet, they also got to see where I live and work, meet my Vietnamese friends, take their first ride on a motorcycle with my friends in the Hue countryside and experience Vietnamese cuisine.

The three days my family spent in Hue past by all to quickly and before I knew it, the time had come for them to return to the US. It was definitely hard saying goodbye to them as my family is very close and we had an incredible trip together, but I know that Hue is the place that God has chosen me to be for this particular life season. So, I will keep on experiencing the Vietnamese culture in Hue, Vietnam as best I can and keep leaning on Him for direction and guidance.














Family Visit to Asia - Part 2

After spending four busy days in Singapore, we headed to China Beach, a famous beach in Central Vietnam very close to the city of Da Nang to relax for a bit.

China Beach was quiet, peaceful and incredibly beautiful. The next few days on the beach were spent in total relaxation -- lounging by the pool, reading, eating, playing games...then more lounging by the pool, reading, eating....

It was so nice just to have a few "veg out" days and get to spend time together. I even introduced my family to Asian kareoke in which case each party has their individual room with a kareoke machine to belt out whatever song they wish to sing -- without having to worry about the embarrassment of getting up in front of a room full of strangers. They loved it!

We then rented a car to go to Hue and experienced very scenic and breathtaking landscaping along the way.





Thursday, May 20, 2010

Family Visit to Asia - Part 1

Last week I met my parents and sister in Singapore. I have been feeling a little homesick for the familiar these past few weeks, so I was really excited about getting to spend time with them.

When I arrived at the hotel in Singapore, they were already waiting in the hotel lobby in eager anticipation of my arrival with big, smiling faces. It felt so good just to be able to give them big hugs and catch up face to face. We spent the next four days touring around city including the night safari, the zoo, the botanical gardens, downtown, the MegaZip zip line (for those of you who have been watching this season of Amazing Race), Santosa Island and Little India.

In addition to all of the sights, Singapore also has some amazing food options, including lots and lots of Western places I have been crazing since I arrived in Vietnam. It is amazing how much you appreciate something when you no longer have the option to obtain it. I can tell you that I really, really appreciated my Starbucks java chip frappacino, yummy burger and fries at Hardrock and Chili's chips and salsa and quesadila explosion salad (my mouth is actually watering thinking about it now!)

Singapore has been a place I have wanted to visit for a long time and it didn't disappoint. The city was truly fascinating with its blend of people from a variety of different Asian cultures, the incredible modernness of the city set up, the cleanness of the surroundings ( no trash anywhere!) and the beauty of the architecture and the natural backdrops.












Tuesday, May 4, 2010

Relaxing Mountain Getaway

After a few stressful weeks in Hue, including the theft, my illness and some work challenges, I was very excited that we had a four day holiday this past weekend.

I traveled up to Hanoi to see my friend Pat for a day and then we planned to head up to the mountains in Sapa. It was so strange to be back in the city after spending nearly three months in Hue. Walking around the familiar part of Tay Ho district in Hanoi and seeing some of my friends up there, it seemed like another lifetime ago that I first traveled to this bustling city and began my training. In some ways I feel like I have grown and accomplished so much in the short time that I have been in Vietnam and in some ways I feel like I have so far to go. Ever had that mixed feeling?

Pat and I booked a three day tour for our Sapa trip. It began on Friday night with the overnight train up to the mountains. We then took a scenic mountain tour up into the highlands of Sapa. Sapa itself reminds me very much of a cute little European town as it has a lot of French influence. In terms of the actual landscaping of Sapa though -- I cannot even begin to do justice to how unique and breathtaking it is. I suddenly felt as if I was in a completely different country.

Part of the tour that we booked included a local guide from one of the villages that trekked with us through some of the Sapa villages. Our tour guide spoke English extremely well, despite never having learned to read or write, and she was so friendly, informative and caring throughout the two days of trekking with us. Pat and I got extremely lucky in that we had the guide to ourselves so the entire tour was very personable and we didn't feel like tourists being herded around like cattle. She truly made the whole experience really memorable and special.

Coming back from Sapa, we had the unfortunate experience of having cockroaches in the train cabin. Oh well, I guess the entire trip couldn't be free of some "bugs".