We're not in Minnesota anymore, Toto

Elsbeth writing...

Well, I am finally able to get on the internet with my computer, since it didn't work at the hotel we stayed at last night. I was so excited to be able to use my own computer, finally, after not being able to access the internet with my laptop in New Zealand a few months ago. This is a blog I typed this morning (if you’re looking at the time it was posted), but the internet went down so I'm finally posting it now.

So I am suddenly here in Vietnam after only one week of deciding to go to Vietnam (immediately after graduation) and three short months of planning all the other details. Actually, though, I've wanted to teach abroad since middle school, but perhaps I didn't think I'd find myself here this quickly.

Thus far all has gone as well as can be expected, as Ellyn mentioned. It was just a bit overwhelming at first. All the sights and sounds and smells. The pollution and heat and people. I'm not used to taking so much in at once. It made me realize that I am definitely a country girl in an enormous city. I like my space, fresh air, and peace and quiet. Ho Chi Minh is a very different city from any I've ever been to. Although you could say I'm a pretty seasoned traveler, I've really only traveled to countries with similar cultures as mine. Still, I've always been interested in Asian cultures so this is a novelty for me. And this city seems to be classically Asian. Everywhere there are old women carting around their goods in baskets on their bikes or on a stick loaded at each end and hoisted on their shoulders. There are small shrines to Buddha with incense in each family-owned shop. There are ancient pagodas, palm trees, and small alleys packed with shops, hotels and neon signs. All the shops here seem to be little holes in the wall, including our hotel. But there are also plenty of new things. Many Asians dress very fashionably, especially the younger ones. I almost want to throw out my whole wardrobe and start again. There are glossy new banks, business buildings and condos. Those who have cars have very nice ones and most of those who have motorbikes have sleek new ones. This city is a cross between first world and third world. All the worlds combine to make it both a fetid mess and a highly fashionable city.

I think we’ll get used to this. But one month in HCMC will suffice for both of us. Personally, I'll need to live in a quieter place surrounded by nature (but still close to all the amenities).

Well, those are my first impressions of the city. I felt much better yesterday when we found our school (about a 20 minute walk from our hotel). The school was very nice and new, plus the people seemed friendly. Afterwards we ate at a Vietnamese fast food restaurant called Lotteria. It was delicious. We had rice and chicken, but there were also raw vegetables on our plate and before I thought I had eaten some cucumbers. Then we realized there was also ice in our pop. Oops. Well, we haven’t gotten sick yet. Oh well, we’ll probably get sick at some point, we might as well get it over with. On the way back we found several Marts and bookstores on or near our route. I was so relieved. I was starting to miss Wal-mart and this is a similar version. We bought some breakfast food for our little red fridge from there. We also bought plastic children’s bowls, spoons and a cup to eat from. When we got back we finally moved into our hotel across the street where we’ll stay for the rest of the month. It felt good to get unpacked and settle in. Our room is tiny, but cozy. Plus there are more amenities then the other hotel, including cable TV with international channels (i.e. CNN, MTV, and HBO). Today we’re going to find a few more important places and maybe find the Water Puppet Show…just exploring in general. If we can dodge the traffic while we’re at it :-).