Things the last week of school were so extremely hectic! We did the "Reindeer Jive" and had a rather anti-climatic pizza party. I was feeling rushed all day, every day, to get things done and wrapped up before school ended. But it appeared all my rush was in haste, as my flight to Seoul was delayed twice.
Upon arrival in Seoul, I got to sleep on the couch of another teacher and his wife's hotel room. I was warned Darleen snored and Chuck gave me a pair of wax earplugs and I can't recall ever sleeping better in my life. After I put those in, I heard nothing! It was amazing, save for the fact my hair got caught in one and it was tough to work it out.
While we had more than 22 hours to spend in Seoul, we returned to the airport and took a two hour tour of the town. It was really nice! I hadn't expected to enjoy it so much, but I did! I enjoyed the sights, the air, the water, and of course, the company. It put Seoul on the map for me. Plus, the seafood! Woah!
On to Hanoi. We flew in at about 10:30 pm and everything was alright until I had to go to the Visa upon arrival desk. First of all, there were too many people there and I was still wearing my Mongolian winter jacket. I took it off, and other things too, as it was very warm to us. Well, initially the issue was that I did not have a picture for my Visa application. I waited, and waited, and waited, until finally some woman and her family had to have their photo taken too. I jumped up behind saying, "Me too!" Well, it was then they discovered I had no letter. You have to have this official document that apparently was emailed to me as an attachment which I never received. I got all bug eyed and innocent like. I truly was freaking out. Everyone around me was being very supportive though, which I appreciated. Finally the officers went to check if my ride was there, and luckily he was with my papers! I breathed a huge sigh of relief! So, they took my picture and collected my luggage off the unmoving luggage carrier and finally made my way to the city of Hanoi.
It was late when I finally got to check in, 1 in the morning. My next day started early at 8:00, so I had a shower and read for a bit. The van was basically on time, and it was full! We visited many things that day. We went to a temple, then we went to the Ho Chi Minh Museum, where I ran into Chuck and Dar. Then we tried to visit the padoga but it was closed, so we had lunch and left for the ceramics town. I found a cute little ceramic crab, but it was chipped, so it became my mission to find one worthy. I actually walked up to someone and said, "Hi, I'm looking for crabs?" No one knew the word, in either capacity, thank heavens. In the end I found my little crab. I have found that most Vietnamese speak English much better than Mongolians. It's actually been an enjoyable find.
Today, I spent the day in Hanoi. It is such a hectic city, and exciting too. There is just so much traffic; foot, scooter, and cars. It is a mixture of old and new. It has tiny streets with way too much traffic. There really aren't any signal lights and people just flood the street until there are enough of them to go through at once and the oncoming traffic just kind of stops. I have found that while people are aggressive here to sell things, they won't rob or steal from you. I had a fruit girl grab my wrist and not let go. She wasn't being angry, just trying to get me to buy. I just said no, and she finally let me go. Laughing and smiling goes a long way here, so much the opposite of where I have been living. Anger and scowls get you anything you want. One shop girl was innovative with me and offered to take my picture with me in her hat and carrying the baskets. This meant, of course, I had to buy the pineapple. Not that I minded, I love pineapple, but I'd just eaten lunch.
So, I spent the day taking a ride in a rickshaw, eating a fantastic lunch, getting a massage, and walking. And of course, buying stuff. I bought myself some soup spoons made out of shells, a compass hidden in a turtle and some dragon flies made out of of bamboo for the kids. I hope they like them. I have to admit I've been tired. I haven't felt I've caught up on my sleep and haven't relaxed so much as the weather has been chillier than I was expecting. Plus, it would appear I will not get to go swimming (Gasp, moan!). I know the more I travel south it will get much, much warmer, so I'm looking forward to it. For now, I plan to experience it all as I can. Tomorrow I will visit Halong Bay, for which I purchased a sweater. It cost me about $3.00, and I'll definitely wear it again. Tomorrow, Halong Bay, and next, Hua by plane!
