Elsbeth writing…
Okay, I’m going to try hard to make this quick update actually quick, because I need to go grocery shopping, mail something, and go to school to work on this project I’m doing for extra hours, since I don’t have any at school.
Last weekend wasn’t terribly exciting, but I did go to the Temple of Literature with a friend from work. It was interesting to see, so that’s one thing checked off my list of things to do and see. It was the first University in Vietnam and students still go there today to rub the heads of the turtle statues that line the courtyards for good luck before an exam.
On Sunday I met the same friend at this English bookstore in town. It took me forever to find the place and I almost gave up and went home. I was driving in circles and the Vietnamese people I asked were much help either. As I was driving slowly trying to look for the little street one guy pulled up next to me and asked if I knew how to drive. Thanks for your help! Dur, let’s think, wouldn’t your first question to a total stranger be to ask if they need help or directions? Apparently not. I finally found it with the help of a bookstore worker—it was off on an unmarked side street that wasn’t even on my map. Actually, it’s okay. It’s good for me to get lost because then I know where things are better and where my place in the city is, plus next time I know where to go. I was so excited, though, because I bought the third book in the Twilight series (so now I will be able to get to the fourth book, which I already have) and Emma by Jane Austen. I can’t wait to read them. Now I’m reading Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. I know dad and Eli have read it. It’s a thick, philosophical reading, but at the same time I can relate to it because not only does it take place in Minnesota and the Midwest, the main analogy in the book is about motorcycles. Now that I’ve owned and driven a motorbike I can understand more of what he’s talking about.
Anywho, last week two friends from Vung Tau came to visit us. It was so great to see them and it really brightened up my week. They came on Monday and Ellyn and I met up with them at a bar after work. We played foosball (at which I rock—I guess all those years of playing in the church basement have finally paid off) and pool, which I haven’t played (and never really cared to play because I'm terrible) since Vung Tau. Still, it was nice to have those good, old times back for a brief period time (although those times aren’t so far in the past). They went to Halong Bay for the same three-day tour my mom and I went on and returned on Thursday afternoon. I had Thursday off so I met up with them and Steve for dinner at an Indian restaurant. We were planning to see a movie at the Megastar Cineplex (this really nice Western cinema in that Western-style mall near me), but were too late. Instead we went to a bar/café. Weren’t too pleased with the needlessly slow service and when Ellyn was finished with work went to another restaurant/café across the road and had ice cream. It was good to just be able to talk with them for a bit. The next morning I met up with them for breakfast before they left. Well, that was the highlight of last week. Oh, I miss them all! Hopefully they’ll be able to come back to visit. It’s always good to have visitors—even it Vung Tau it was nice to have HCMC visitors or go visit them for the weekend. It’s crazy how many connections I have here—all across the country. I love it.
This week I haven’t been doing much. I’ve just been working on getting various things accomplished and checked off my list of things to do (including pictures from my trip with mom). Once I get those done I’ll look into doing other recreational activities, such as taking Vietnamese lessons, joining a yoga class, finding other places to exercise and whatnot.
This weekend I’m going to Mai Chau on this motorbike trip with a group from the New Hanoian website. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned the New Hanoian, but it’s a God-send for ex-pats living in the city. Steve and Ellyn are going too. I learned about the group from Steve. I’m excited, but a little nervous about my bike. Thankfully it’s a good-sized group with Vietnamese people going as well. It’s definitely something to look forward to and yet another thing checked off my list. Next is Sapa and Haiphong. I haven’t been outside Hanoi since my mom left and I’ve heard good things about Mai Chau from a German couple on our Halong Bay tour. I’ll let you know how it goes. We’re doing a home stay, trekking, seeing rice paddies, and the whole bit. Unfortunately, this is my last full weekend off—at least until September—so I’m glad that I’m able to use it wisely.
Bis später!
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Float On...
Elsbeth writing…
Well, it’s been another long and…interesting week. Not much to talk about this past week, only working the measly hours I have and trying to do other things in between. I don’t know where the time’s gone.
So yesterday I finally rented a motorbike. Having to take a xe-om everywhere really limits you. I’d been having the motorbike driver—whose friends with the family who owns my apartment—drive me around. He’s really friendly, but I’ve been having him pick me up after work so I can’t really go out with people. I tried to rent a bike from an Aussie guy who trains street kids to be mechanics, but he was full up with customers. So I went to a Vietnamese guy who had good reviews on the New Hanoian Website. I rented a bike from him and he told me to come back at 6 p.m. to pick it up, but when I got there he said that his brother was using it for the night and gave me his Honda Super Cub instead. That was fine with me, because it’s basically the same as my old Cub, only a newer model. Then this morning he brought me the other bike—a Honda Wave…well, not really a Honda, just a cheap Chinese bike.
Then last night after I picked up my motorbike I met one of the ladies and her friend for dinner on BBQ Street. It was delicious. Then we went to this bar called the Green Mango where there were some live ex-pat bands playing. They’re just teachers and other ex-pats who play for fun and on the side, but their music was great. It was so nice to hear some good, live Western music. Some of the guys from work met us there too. I didn’t stay late, though, because I wanted to get home before the gate closed at my apartment. Surprisingly, I got back into the groove of driving pretty quick (minus a few stupid mistakes) and found my way around without getting lost too much. The streets here are crazy—there’s a ton of one ways and it’s so much bumpier than Vung Tau (except for bumpy street :-).
Then I didn’t do much today. I don’t know where the days go, but I’m glad they go by quickly. In the afternoon I met some of the guys from work at the Army Hotel pool, which was consequently full of kids, but refreshing enough despite the water being warmer than the air (which says a lot) and it costing 60,000 d to get in (it cost me 15,000 d at the QUIET lap pool in VT). Oh well, it’s a give and take. Then I went out with them later to dinner at the Kangaroo Café near the Old Quarter.
On the way there my bike kept staling every time I stopped. Arrgh! Not MORE bike problems. I had had enough with my old Cub. So I called the guy and he came to the restaurant to fix it, but when he got there he was like “okay, lets go to my shop.” I had told me three times on the phone that I was eating and had asked if I could bring it afterward. I assumed when he was coming that he would bring someone with him to take the bike to the shop. He didn’t, so he called his wife who took a good 10 minutes to get there (while I was in the middle of my dinner) and fixed it in 5 minutes. I told him that it was fine if he took the bike to his shop and worked on it for a day or so, but he insisted on doing a quick job then and there. That’s what I was afraid of—a Vietnamese quick job. I have had nothing but trouble with mechanics here because they only want to fix the bike quickly without digging deeper and seeing what the real problem is. Then I just have more problems, because they didn’t fix it properly in the first place. That’s exactly why I wanted to go to the Aussie guy who’s an actual mechanic and whose moto is to fix bikes properly and thoroughly right off the bat. We’ll see how this bike runs now. The guy is supposed to being really helpful and he did come right away, so that was really nice. I’ll definitely give him the benefit of the doubt.
Anyway, by the time I came back up to finish eating my food was cold and the others had finished their meals. I just got take away and then headed out. Only when I came out did I realize that my bike was on the stand, which is difficult for me to get off, especially in tight spots. There wasn’t a guy there either who watches motorbikes, so I had to get it off myself. I tried to get it off, but when I did I couldn’t hold it up and it tipped over knocking over two other bikes including the owner’s. He came out immediately and started swearing at me and berating me for tipping his bike over. He didn’t even bother to help me get it up. He just stood there calling me names. I said several times that I was sorry and he was just like “well, sorry doesn’t cut it.” Then a minute later he was like “well, aren’t you going to say sorry?” So I said that I was sorry and he said “well, now you say sorry after I have to ask you to” and I told him that I had just apologized several times! He was complaining about how much it would cost him and I asked him if he wanted me to pay, I asked how much, and I even offered to give him my phone number, but he was completely unreasonable. He didn’t want anything, only to swear at me, demean me, and generally make a scene in front of his restaurant. So I asked “what more do you want from me? I’ve said sorry, I’ve offered to pay you, I’ve even asked if you wanted my phone number to give me a quote for the cost! It was an accident. I’m a small person and I just couldn’t hold my bike up.” After demeaning me several more times he just told me to leave.
Then as I was taking my bike off the sidewalk he was berating me to a three-year-old girl, whose mother must have worked at the restaurant. Wow, I’m sorry. I don’t know about you, but that’s the absolute epitome of sad—to act that way in front of a little child. He can berate me to adults, but to do that in front of a child is…I don’t even have words for how wrong that is. I think that’s what makes me the angriest.
The last thing I asked him if he owned the place, he asked why, and I just said that I wanted to know. I have never, ever met someone so absurdly rude in all my life—thank goodness for that. Most people I have met would be much kinder and more understanding than that (I haven’t completely lost faith in humanity yet). And trust me I’ve met some crazies out there. As the owner of the place he was being absolutely unprofessional. Even as I was driving away, he was like “I hope you don’t have any more stupid accidents” or something along those lines.
Yes, I know I should have asked for someone’s help, but there WASN’T anyone to help me. I looked around before I took it off the stand and nobody was around. Even when I went to ask someone after I tipped over the bike nobody would help me, so what was I supposed to do? Yes, next time I’ll be more careful, but things happen that you never mean to have happen. Am I the one who was so at fault in this situation? What did I do wrong? I tried to make amends as best I could, but nothing was good enough. He was happy just to treat me like scum. I suppose that’s a good indicator of true character—how you act in stressful situations. I’m glad that I kept my cool. It was an accident, simply that. It’s not like I viciously meant to tip over my bike specifically so I could damage his bike. You can’t have an explosion because of something like that. I’ve heard several odd things about this guy and I think he’s a little more than snapped.
Anyway, it’s been a really crappy last couple weeks…actually year in more ways than one. I’ve been trying to sound positive and brush it off. I know everyone goes through crappy times and this is just my year. It’s just been one thing after another and I’m really, really ready to go home. *Sigh* ‘ONLY’ five more months. I can do it….
Well, it’s been another long and…interesting week. Not much to talk about this past week, only working the measly hours I have and trying to do other things in between. I don’t know where the time’s gone.
So yesterday I finally rented a motorbike. Having to take a xe-om everywhere really limits you. I’d been having the motorbike driver—whose friends with the family who owns my apartment—drive me around. He’s really friendly, but I’ve been having him pick me up after work so I can’t really go out with people. I tried to rent a bike from an Aussie guy who trains street kids to be mechanics, but he was full up with customers. So I went to a Vietnamese guy who had good reviews on the New Hanoian Website. I rented a bike from him and he told me to come back at 6 p.m. to pick it up, but when I got there he said that his brother was using it for the night and gave me his Honda Super Cub instead. That was fine with me, because it’s basically the same as my old Cub, only a newer model. Then this morning he brought me the other bike—a Honda Wave…well, not really a Honda, just a cheap Chinese bike.
Then last night after I picked up my motorbike I met one of the ladies and her friend for dinner on BBQ Street. It was delicious. Then we went to this bar called the Green Mango where there were some live ex-pat bands playing. They’re just teachers and other ex-pats who play for fun and on the side, but their music was great. It was so nice to hear some good, live Western music. Some of the guys from work met us there too. I didn’t stay late, though, because I wanted to get home before the gate closed at my apartment. Surprisingly, I got back into the groove of driving pretty quick (minus a few stupid mistakes) and found my way around without getting lost too much. The streets here are crazy—there’s a ton of one ways and it’s so much bumpier than Vung Tau (except for bumpy street :-).
Then I didn’t do much today. I don’t know where the days go, but I’m glad they go by quickly. In the afternoon I met some of the guys from work at the Army Hotel pool, which was consequently full of kids, but refreshing enough despite the water being warmer than the air (which says a lot) and it costing 60,000 d to get in (it cost me 15,000 d at the QUIET lap pool in VT). Oh well, it’s a give and take. Then I went out with them later to dinner at the Kangaroo Café near the Old Quarter.
On the way there my bike kept staling every time I stopped. Arrgh! Not MORE bike problems. I had had enough with my old Cub. So I called the guy and he came to the restaurant to fix it, but when he got there he was like “okay, lets go to my shop.” I had told me three times on the phone that I was eating and had asked if I could bring it afterward. I assumed when he was coming that he would bring someone with him to take the bike to the shop. He didn’t, so he called his wife who took a good 10 minutes to get there (while I was in the middle of my dinner) and fixed it in 5 minutes. I told him that it was fine if he took the bike to his shop and worked on it for a day or so, but he insisted on doing a quick job then and there. That’s what I was afraid of—a Vietnamese quick job. I have had nothing but trouble with mechanics here because they only want to fix the bike quickly without digging deeper and seeing what the real problem is. Then I just have more problems, because they didn’t fix it properly in the first place. That’s exactly why I wanted to go to the Aussie guy who’s an actual mechanic and whose moto is to fix bikes properly and thoroughly right off the bat. We’ll see how this bike runs now. The guy is supposed to being really helpful and he did come right away, so that was really nice. I’ll definitely give him the benefit of the doubt.
Anyway, by the time I came back up to finish eating my food was cold and the others had finished their meals. I just got take away and then headed out. Only when I came out did I realize that my bike was on the stand, which is difficult for me to get off, especially in tight spots. There wasn’t a guy there either who watches motorbikes, so I had to get it off myself. I tried to get it off, but when I did I couldn’t hold it up and it tipped over knocking over two other bikes including the owner’s. He came out immediately and started swearing at me and berating me for tipping his bike over. He didn’t even bother to help me get it up. He just stood there calling me names. I said several times that I was sorry and he was just like “well, sorry doesn’t cut it.” Then a minute later he was like “well, aren’t you going to say sorry?” So I said that I was sorry and he said “well, now you say sorry after I have to ask you to” and I told him that I had just apologized several times! He was complaining about how much it would cost him and I asked him if he wanted me to pay, I asked how much, and I even offered to give him my phone number, but he was completely unreasonable. He didn’t want anything, only to swear at me, demean me, and generally make a scene in front of his restaurant. So I asked “what more do you want from me? I’ve said sorry, I’ve offered to pay you, I’ve even asked if you wanted my phone number to give me a quote for the cost! It was an accident. I’m a small person and I just couldn’t hold my bike up.” After demeaning me several more times he just told me to leave.
Then as I was taking my bike off the sidewalk he was berating me to a three-year-old girl, whose mother must have worked at the restaurant. Wow, I’m sorry. I don’t know about you, but that’s the absolute epitome of sad—to act that way in front of a little child. He can berate me to adults, but to do that in front of a child is…I don’t even have words for how wrong that is. I think that’s what makes me the angriest.
The last thing I asked him if he owned the place, he asked why, and I just said that I wanted to know. I have never, ever met someone so absurdly rude in all my life—thank goodness for that. Most people I have met would be much kinder and more understanding than that (I haven’t completely lost faith in humanity yet). And trust me I’ve met some crazies out there. As the owner of the place he was being absolutely unprofessional. Even as I was driving away, he was like “I hope you don’t have any more stupid accidents” or something along those lines.
Yes, I know I should have asked for someone’s help, but there WASN’T anyone to help me. I looked around before I took it off the stand and nobody was around. Even when I went to ask someone after I tipped over the bike nobody would help me, so what was I supposed to do? Yes, next time I’ll be more careful, but things happen that you never mean to have happen. Am I the one who was so at fault in this situation? What did I do wrong? I tried to make amends as best I could, but nothing was good enough. He was happy just to treat me like scum. I suppose that’s a good indicator of true character—how you act in stressful situations. I’m glad that I kept my cool. It was an accident, simply that. It’s not like I viciously meant to tip over my bike specifically so I could damage his bike. You can’t have an explosion because of something like that. I’ve heard several odd things about this guy and I think he’s a little more than snapped.
Anyway, it’s been a really crappy last couple weeks…actually year in more ways than one. I’ve been trying to sound positive and brush it off. I know everyone goes through crappy times and this is just my year. It’s just been one thing after another and I’m really, really ready to go home. *Sigh* ‘ONLY’ five more months. I can do it….
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Elsbeth in the Big City
Elsbeth writing…
It’s been three weeks since I arrived in Hanoi ready—or sort of ready—to start my new life in the north of Vietnam. It’s been almost two weeks since my mom left and since I started my new job. These last two weeks have dragged along slowly as I’ve been settling into my new teaching job, meeting my coworkers, searching for an apartment, trying to get my darn computer fixed (it had heaps of viruses on it), and dealing with the complicated layout of this new city. So far, it’s going quite well. I’m getting back into the swing of teaching. It’s so good to be teaching again. I really do enjoy it. Lesson planning is okay, but the best part is being in the midst of a lesson. That’s usually when I realize how much I’m enjoying myself. Lesson planning itself, though, seems to be taking me far less time than it did before. I’m also teaching all adult classes as of now—which means two classes. Adults are okay, but I’d rather have kids if it came down to it. Yes, my schedule is pretty skimpy now and for most of June. I’m only teaching on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so I have the other four days off. I’m going to go crazy if I have this much time off. I asked for cover hours because I need money—you know to pay for food and rent and loans and petty things like that.
Speaking of rent. I moved into a new apartment yesterday! I was so excited to just be out of the hotel life and the backpacker area. I hate living in hotels—and I’ve stayed in plenty of them for more than enough time in this country. It’s been over a month since I had my own place. I don’t feel settled into things until I have a place I can actually call home. I love it here so far. I was seriously considering two places that I looked at and I finally decided on this one. I’m glad I made this choice. It’s very near my school; the area is full of small businesses making it convenient and comfortable; it’s just a short walk from a huge Western-style mall and a large gorgeous park; the apartment itself is near the street and down a short alley; and there’re windows running all the way up the building, so it lets in a lot of light. My room is pretty nicely furnished. In fact, there’s more furniture and space than I know what to do with. There were even speakers for my computer and a DVD player! I was so excited about those two things.
To top it off the family who owns the building and lives here is fantastic. They’re so friendly and helpful. I hope to improve my Vietnamese, because the woman doesn’t know much English. When I first came today we were trying to have a conversation using the sparse Vietnamese I know. The man and son know English fluently though, which is good if I have questions or need help. In fact, the man is one of the top guys in the Vietnamese health department. He’s traveled all over the world and he showed me some of his pictures from his travels in the states. So if I have any problems with the government I can probably ask him. They even have a motorbike guy who can give me rides whenever I need them. I think the thing that charmed me most about this place, though, was their orange stripped cat. I haven’t had a pet for ages nor have I been able to just pet a pet. I’m scared to death of dogs here for one thing. They’re always running around without leashes, which I hate. Having pets has always been a relaxing thing for me and it’s nice to have this sprightly cat around. When I asked in Vietnamese what its name was, however, the lady said it didn’t have a name. Well, I’ll think of a name for it myself. Maybe simply the Vietnamese word for cat, meo, will do….
Okay, now that the apartment is found, the next step is to get a motorbike. I’m contemplating buying another one since I can save a ton of money in the end that way; however, sadly I’ll probably not invest in another Honda Cub. Although I loved the thing it caused me so many problems and so much hassle. I need something more reliable. I’m thinking about a Honda Dream this time—something newer, but still good quality. Now that I have the apartment checked off my list, I can start the search for the bike. I’m dying to get back on a bike—and not just be on the back seat when taking a motorbike taxi. I need to be in control, as many of you already know about me. I’ll keep you updated. I’m worried about driving here though. The traffic is much more congested (but not quite as congested as HCMC). There’re also a lot of one ways streets and the routes seem pretty complicated. I’m trying not to think about it until I have to.
The nice thing about living in Hanoi, though, is that there’s an Australian mechanic here who trains street kids to become mechanics. He’s an actual trained mechanic so you know he’s going to fix things right the first time and it’s a definite plus that he speaks English and is a Westerner. You’re not going to get messed over again and again or have things shoddily repaired. I know that sounds biased, but after you’ve run yourself ragged week after week trying to get a pretty basic bike fixed you can talk. The good thing that came out of all this is that I’ve learned a lot about bikes. I’m reading Zen and the Art of Motorbike Maintenance now and I can really relate to it, especially because it’s set in the Midwest and makes me nostalgic. Someday I’d love to buy another classic Honda Cub and really pimp it out.
Enough bike talk. What else have I been up to…. Oh yes! There’s the all-important issue of a social life. It’s so great to already have a good network of friends here, but I’m still making plenty of other friends at work as well, considering none of my old friends work where I am. There are a lot of new teachers who came at the same time I did for the summer school program, so it’s nice to be in the same boat as them. I’m also trying to take every social opportunity I can. Last Saturday all the Language Link schools had a big party at the Cinematheque. There was free food and drinks. Unfortunately I got there late, because I was trying to get my computer fixed. It was a really, really long day, but the party was still swinging when I arrived. Later on my own school had a dinner at a Japanese-style restaurant and then us newbies went to this concert way out in the Hanoian boonies. A band called Rat-a-Tat was playing and the place was full of ex-pats. It was so great to be with a large group of Westerners again. The band was just instrumental—no vocals—and they had a kind of indie/techno/rock style. Something you could really jam out to. It was a good night. I needed it. Trust me.
On Thursday I was still on my quest for an apartment. I found an ad on the New Hanoian Website for an apartment and called the guy. Not only did he speak fluent English, he was a really cool, laidback artist. He took me to have tea, then lunch, then more tea with his group of fellow artist friends (who didn’t speak much English). He even gave me a small painting of his that was just gathering dust. It was really interesting to spend the day talking with him, though. That was very kind and it was a good way for me to waste away my day off. I was afraid of being trapped inside my musty hotel room all day. Unfortunately I didn’t take the apartment he showed me and took the other one. I feel kind of bad, but what can you do? I can’t take both.
Okay, I think you’re clued into my life here in the city of the ascending dragon (what Hanoi means) enough for now. Hen gap lai (see you later)!
It’s been three weeks since I arrived in Hanoi ready—or sort of ready—to start my new life in the north of Vietnam. It’s been almost two weeks since my mom left and since I started my new job. These last two weeks have dragged along slowly as I’ve been settling into my new teaching job, meeting my coworkers, searching for an apartment, trying to get my darn computer fixed (it had heaps of viruses on it), and dealing with the complicated layout of this new city. So far, it’s going quite well. I’m getting back into the swing of teaching. It’s so good to be teaching again. I really do enjoy it. Lesson planning is okay, but the best part is being in the midst of a lesson. That’s usually when I realize how much I’m enjoying myself. Lesson planning itself, though, seems to be taking me far less time than it did before. I’m also teaching all adult classes as of now—which means two classes. Adults are okay, but I’d rather have kids if it came down to it. Yes, my schedule is pretty skimpy now and for most of June. I’m only teaching on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, so I have the other four days off. I’m going to go crazy if I have this much time off. I asked for cover hours because I need money—you know to pay for food and rent and loans and petty things like that.
Speaking of rent. I moved into a new apartment yesterday! I was so excited to just be out of the hotel life and the backpacker area. I hate living in hotels—and I’ve stayed in plenty of them for more than enough time in this country. It’s been over a month since I had my own place. I don’t feel settled into things until I have a place I can actually call home. I love it here so far. I was seriously considering two places that I looked at and I finally decided on this one. I’m glad I made this choice. It’s very near my school; the area is full of small businesses making it convenient and comfortable; it’s just a short walk from a huge Western-style mall and a large gorgeous park; the apartment itself is near the street and down a short alley; and there’re windows running all the way up the building, so it lets in a lot of light. My room is pretty nicely furnished. In fact, there’s more furniture and space than I know what to do with. There were even speakers for my computer and a DVD player! I was so excited about those two things.
To top it off the family who owns the building and lives here is fantastic. They’re so friendly and helpful. I hope to improve my Vietnamese, because the woman doesn’t know much English. When I first came today we were trying to have a conversation using the sparse Vietnamese I know. The man and son know English fluently though, which is good if I have questions or need help. In fact, the man is one of the top guys in the Vietnamese health department. He’s traveled all over the world and he showed me some of his pictures from his travels in the states. So if I have any problems with the government I can probably ask him. They even have a motorbike guy who can give me rides whenever I need them. I think the thing that charmed me most about this place, though, was their orange stripped cat. I haven’t had a pet for ages nor have I been able to just pet a pet. I’m scared to death of dogs here for one thing. They’re always running around without leashes, which I hate. Having pets has always been a relaxing thing for me and it’s nice to have this sprightly cat around. When I asked in Vietnamese what its name was, however, the lady said it didn’t have a name. Well, I’ll think of a name for it myself. Maybe simply the Vietnamese word for cat, meo, will do….
Okay, now that the apartment is found, the next step is to get a motorbike. I’m contemplating buying another one since I can save a ton of money in the end that way; however, sadly I’ll probably not invest in another Honda Cub. Although I loved the thing it caused me so many problems and so much hassle. I need something more reliable. I’m thinking about a Honda Dream this time—something newer, but still good quality. Now that I have the apartment checked off my list, I can start the search for the bike. I’m dying to get back on a bike—and not just be on the back seat when taking a motorbike taxi. I need to be in control, as many of you already know about me. I’ll keep you updated. I’m worried about driving here though. The traffic is much more congested (but not quite as congested as HCMC). There’re also a lot of one ways streets and the routes seem pretty complicated. I’m trying not to think about it until I have to.
The nice thing about living in Hanoi, though, is that there’s an Australian mechanic here who trains street kids to become mechanics. He’s an actual trained mechanic so you know he’s going to fix things right the first time and it’s a definite plus that he speaks English and is a Westerner. You’re not going to get messed over again and again or have things shoddily repaired. I know that sounds biased, but after you’ve run yourself ragged week after week trying to get a pretty basic bike fixed you can talk. The good thing that came out of all this is that I’ve learned a lot about bikes. I’m reading Zen and the Art of Motorbike Maintenance now and I can really relate to it, especially because it’s set in the Midwest and makes me nostalgic. Someday I’d love to buy another classic Honda Cub and really pimp it out.
Enough bike talk. What else have I been up to…. Oh yes! There’s the all-important issue of a social life. It’s so great to already have a good network of friends here, but I’m still making plenty of other friends at work as well, considering none of my old friends work where I am. There are a lot of new teachers who came at the same time I did for the summer school program, so it’s nice to be in the same boat as them. I’m also trying to take every social opportunity I can. Last Saturday all the Language Link schools had a big party at the Cinematheque. There was free food and drinks. Unfortunately I got there late, because I was trying to get my computer fixed. It was a really, really long day, but the party was still swinging when I arrived. Later on my own school had a dinner at a Japanese-style restaurant and then us newbies went to this concert way out in the Hanoian boonies. A band called Rat-a-Tat was playing and the place was full of ex-pats. It was so great to be with a large group of Westerners again. The band was just instrumental—no vocals—and they had a kind of indie/techno/rock style. Something you could really jam out to. It was a good night. I needed it. Trust me.
On Thursday I was still on my quest for an apartment. I found an ad on the New Hanoian Website for an apartment and called the guy. Not only did he speak fluent English, he was a really cool, laidback artist. He took me to have tea, then lunch, then more tea with his group of fellow artist friends (who didn’t speak much English). He even gave me a small painting of his that was just gathering dust. It was really interesting to spend the day talking with him, though. That was very kind and it was a good way for me to waste away my day off. I was afraid of being trapped inside my musty hotel room all day. Unfortunately I didn’t take the apartment he showed me and took the other one. I feel kind of bad, but what can you do? I can’t take both.
Okay, I think you’re clued into my life here in the city of the ascending dragon (what Hanoi means) enough for now. Hen gap lai (see you later)!
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