Kids a video by Heather April on Flickr.
:) Day 1 in Hanoi. What a whirlwind day of activities! I loved the experiences but I am definitely road weary right now. Highlights of today included:
one of our students picking up a poisonous caterpillar- much to our guides dismay,
that same student giving a bear hug to the guide during a photo op - also much to her dismay (no really, check the pictures),
seeing soldiers with AK-47's marching in the street,
bartering with (and literally running from) very desperate street vendors,
navigating the chaos of a traffic system that was built for 250,000 people but is now used by 6 million people,
a visit to a very lovely pagoda where I learned a little more about the Buddhist beliefs. There was even a Bodhi tree-very cool,
dinner at the four seasons where I tried all sorts of new foods,
the curiosity and spirit of school age children here (see video),
a visit to the colonial prison where John McCain and other POW's were housed. :(
Lastly, the country is building up to their New Year holiday (called TET). The atmosphere is both celebratory and reverent. Offerings and alters are everywhere you look. It is very interesting to find out what beliefs Vietnamese have about this holiday. A great many symbols must be present in every home and shop. These symbols bring all sorts of things including: wealth, good health, peace, happiness, etc. Neat.
Whew! Notice, I didn't get locked up either. ;) Off to rest for tomorrow's big day. Love to my friends and family back in the USA.
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