Life is slowing down here in Ho Chi Minh City (if you could ever describe life here as slow), for the Lunar New Year Celebration (Tet) is upon us. Schools, which rarely have a day off are on break, my students are preparing for a much needed break from constant schooling to play video games and go see the long awaited Avatar in 3D (there has been a waiting list since December); people are leaving for the countryside to return home to their families, which also means, miraculously and greatfully, less traffic; and decorations are, of course, up in the city (do the Vietnamese people love the excuse to decorate). Just last night I went out with some friends the city had transformed overnight. Silk lanterns were strung across roads, twinkle lights decorated all the trees, making it appear weeping willows or spanish moss had been imported into the city, bars and stores that normally stay open late were closed for the two weeks.
For me, however, life, besides the holiday from work, has not been slowing down. For starters, I have just now finished packing for a ten day trip to possibly Northern Thailand and Laos. My flight leaves in two hours (don't worry I'm leaving in twenty minutes) for Bangkok, and from there we will see what happens. I'm going with friends and we have a vague idea of what we want to do, but we shall see. My next blog post will be exciting to say the least.
Also, much to my mother's chagrin, I bought an electric bike, which means that I am now xe om free! I am not free to roam the streets of Ho Chi Minh with the flow of the other bikes. Now this might not seem like a big deal, but I have been talking about getting an electric bike since the first day I arrived in Ho Chi Minh (September 5th). First, I said I would when I got my first paycheck. Then after I got in a motorbike accident with a xe om. Then again when I got dropped off in the middle of a dark alley by one xe om, which I then proceeded to get in a fight with him (this is for the next blog) as he wanted me to still pay him for abandoning me and getting me lost. But I finally bought it. And what is an electric bike? Well, yes I am in league with other sixteen and seventeen year olds here as most of the people that drive them do so before they are allowed to get a driver's license for a motorbike, for no rules regulate e-bikes here (you don't even have to wear a helmet, but of course I am and do), but I like to think of it as the Prius of motorbikes. I am saving my environment. E bikes can go pretty fast and I don't even have to peddle. With a flick of the handle I am swerving and avoiding pot holes and bikes that stop suddenly or pedestrians that stand in the middle of the road with the best of them.
Of course, it can still be terrifying. I had a stomachache the whole morning before I bought it, especially over the question of how I would get this e-bike home. Would I walk it? Would I ride? How could I get on it immediately as the street where they sell the bikes, is cruelly, very crowded, especially as I am rather fondly thought of as a klutz by many? But right in I went it. With the help of being shielded by Thom on his motorbike I jumped right on in with my shiny, red bike with its cute, grey basket and rode home. And I am in love. I want to take it back with me to the states. I would write more of the mishaps I have almost had and where my e-bike has taken me (I need a name for it, so suggestions are welcome), but I must leave now for the airport. Please excuse any typos. It is early and I am rushed. Check again in two weeks for my next update!
At the bike shop. Here they are assembling the bike right in front of me, namely lowering the seat for my small legs!
About to take my first spin on the road! Please notice the cute basket and extra seat in the back if I ever want to give someone a ride.
Decorations for Tet.
More decorations.
Shopping to make dinner for some friends. This is how you buy fish in Vietnam. Just go right on it and scoop the sardines in a bag.
Here I am at my former Vietnamese teacher and Languagecorp representative's thesis presentation. It was very impressive and interesting to see a presentation in Vietnam. And she did a great job!
Linh presenting.
Vietnam has trivia too!
I saw these children during my celebratory lunch after buying the motorbike. Look how cute they are in creating their very own train on the streets of Ho Chi Minh!
