the photos you can take and the photos you can't...

Heya Folks,
Boxing Day in Hanoi, what else to do but go to the zoo? Well okay, it wasn't exactly Whipsnade but it wasn't a total horror story either. I was invited by some Vietnamese friends and thought I'd better swallow my ethical views for one day in the interests of making friends and contacts. And I did actually have fun. The zoo is set in a fantastically peaceful park and seems to have been melded somewhat with a theme park, so lots of stuff to do.

Interesting point: My Vietnamese friend was not given a ticket when he parked his motorbike. On the way out, he was 'fined' for 'losing' his ticket, and right there and then lost a days wages to the unscrupulous parking attendant. Just goes to show that even the Vietnamese can get ripped off.

the photos you cannot take

Inside the park, I had my second ride on a swan pedalo in two days, and we tried our hand at dodgems and 'the magical house of mirrors'.

the photos you can take

The Vietnamese take on a theme park is a fascination to behold. A strange mix of flourescence and kitsch with appearances of disney characters and some very strange carousel music. All in all it was a very fun afternoon.

Later on in the evening, I was invited back to my friends' house for dinner, which turned out to be right out in the 'burbs of Hanoi, and extremely tiny. It was both fascinating, and shocking, to see how people really live in Hanoi. A room the same size as where I am currently sitting housing four people. We ate dinner on mats sat on the floor. Across the way I could just make out another family sitting down to their dinner. They seemed to be a little wealthier in this neighbourhood as they had the luxury of a TV....and a front door. I was both shocked by the poverty and humbled by the generosity of my new friends in inviting me to share a meal with them.

the photos you cannot take

SarahHeadsEast xxx

Ho Ho Ho Chi Minh

Hi folks,
I've been waiting and waiting for a suitable opportunity to use the above pun,and can wait no longer, so here it is! Merry Christmas to all the readers in their respective time zones across the world, hope you have/had/are having a good one.

Christmas in Hanoi is proving to be most unusual. Its not a big holiday here (its not even a day off from work), but as ever the tide of change is upon Hanoi and the western influence is creeping in. As the Vietnamese are great lovers of all things kitsch, Christmas is celebrated with all the saxophone-playing mechanical santas and tap-dancing reindeers attached.

Last weekend was the hastily-arranged Christmas festival at the Children's Palace. It was disorganised to say the least and I wasnt quite sure what role I was to play in it until I was given a list of questions and then thrust on stage in front of 300 children and parents to host a festive quiz! However, it was a really fun day and a great way to celebrate christmas. Picture Attached, hopefully.


Christmas Eve was celebrated in the only way possible, by taking a swan-shaped pedalo around Truch Bach lake with my good friend Huong from the Temple of Literature. Random but lots of fun! Later on I met up with an Australian friend of a friend of a friend who was also at a loose end on Christmas Eve and we went for a few drinks, that turned into a few more drinks.

Needless to say I have spent this morning recovering(!). I thought you'd like to see a picture of my Christmas 'hoard' so here it is. The gorgeaus bag is from my boss at the ABC English school and the Mango I bought just now from a lady with one leg at Hoan Kiem Lake.

On my way to the lake today I quite randomly and unexpectedly but happily bumped into some of my old friends from the Lemon Hotel, where I stayed back in March. I had thought I wouldnt see them again as the hotel is all boarded up but there they were, like some sort of Christmas miracle! We have made plans to meet up again and catch up properly, and it just goes to show that the mystery of synchronicity is no mystery at all. If the universe wants it, it shall be so.

Merry Christmas everyone

SarahHeadsEast xxx

this year's photo of crazy tree roots

This one's for you, Mum!

SarahHeadsEast xxx

The Vietnamese photo pose

Hey folks,
I've finally cracked it! After much observation, the stance to be adopted when taking a photo in Vietnam is to raise your hands in a palm-out 'V' sign; bonus points for using both hands!
With my camera fixed, I set off this afternoon to the Temple of Literature to finally take the 'lesser-known' shots of this beautiful place. And here they are. I'm sure there wasnt a headless buffalo hidden among the topiary before. But here it is. I was amazed, and delighted, to find the temple almost empty today, most of the tourists having gone home for Christmas I presume.

Later on today, I met up with two Vietnamese friends, Nhung and Huong (of origami flower fame, for regular readers) and we took the bus to the Ethnology Museum, which is another of my favourite Hanoi spots. There was a mini water puppet performance taking place in the grounds, among the reconstructed dwellings of many Vietnamese ethnic groups. The majority of people there today were Vietnamese which struck me as a very good thing, that even though Hanoi is modernising and developing, people are still very much connected to their cultural roots.

Flagging a little, we wandered around the park opposite the museum, and then went for coffee in a local cafe. Once Brewed readers take note: I have had without a doubt the STRONGEST coffee of my life, and am now caffeine-fuelled!

SarahHeadsEast xx

karioke night

"the aim of karioke is not to be good, its to have fun"

On sunday night we descended upon a local karioke bar after having a meal together and sang, danced and drunk the night away. Karioke is HUGE in Vietnam and visitors can only resist for so long. As a concept for a night out, I cant think of anything more fun. Even the rubbish acoustics, random song selection and echoey microphones just add to the whole experience. The Vietnamese song list of English numbers on sunday seemed to be going along an 'Old School' theme, with Spice Girls 'Wannabe', 'Bette Davis Eyes' and 2Unlimited 'No Limits' among the more memorable choices. I have to say it was one of the most fun nights I have ever spent in Vietnam, and hopefully more of the same to come.



SarahHeadsEast xx

a reflection of sorts...

...believe it or not (and I dont), I'm heading into my fourth week here in Hanoi, and shall soon be crossing off my first month in the 'Nam. Crazy but true. Looking back over the past few weeks, it has been a whirlwind.

Coming back to Hanoi was like I'd never been away, and it was barely a day before I felt like I lived here. Volunteering at the Children's Palace has been an experience; I've been reminded of the crap organisation and lack of planning, but surprised myself by teaching some really cracking lessons. I've learnt to teach on the hoof and go with the flow, and not to expect every lesson to resemble a CELTA training course. I've been reminded of how fun teaching English is, and how a little material can go a long way. I've rediscovered old haunts like Tamarind Cafe and the Temple of Literature. And I've christened new ones like Papa Joes and Nola Cafe. I've eaten more Kem than is strictly healthy, and am well on the way to putting on weight here rather than losing it. I've made Vietnamese friends in unusual places, and discovered how crap I am at Salsa. I'm now teaching lessons for cash, and love the confidence boost each successful lesson brings. I've been back to Hidden Hanoi, and discovered its never the same second time around. I love studying Vietnamese, and try and practice as much as I can, especially with Xe Om drivers. I un-mugged myself by asking my employers for more money, and then learnt how to make Nem Chay. I found great friends in Fivimart, but still managed time for a Bia Hoi with the traveleasers. I've embraced cafe culture, and finally tracked down a decent cup of coffee. I've complained about the early morning school song everyday but secretly love it and can't think of a better alarm call. I've twice asked myself 'How did I end up here?' and decided that 'life' is probably the correct answer. There have been days when I've questioned if I've done the right thing, and others when the wave of enthusiasm nearly leaves me airborne. I've greeted CNN, HBO and BBC World like old friends. I dont expect every day to be perfect, but most of them are.

I live in Hanoi.

SarahHeadsEast xxx

cooking day

Hey Folks,
I am served up the best grub in all of Hanoi here at the STA house. This morning I tagged along with Quanh Anh the chef as she went to the early morning grocery market, and then she taught me to make delicious spring rolls. Its amazing to see that even in a city such as Hanoi, which is expanding developing and modernising with sky-scrapers to rival Hong Kong and Singapore, that there are still authentic meat, fish, vegetable and fruit markets, with no tidy packaging or plastic bags. This is food, as it was and is.

Back at the guesthouse we chopped the vegetables, cooked the tofu and rolled our creations in rice paper before frying them in oil.



and the best part of the morning.....the taste test!









SarahHeadsEast xxx

a list of sorts

(thanks for the idea Mum)

* I love the traffic noise
* I love the sounds of the school next door waking me up in the morning
* I love telling people that I live here
* I love knowing how to suss out the traffic and cross the road
* I love fuzzy foreign TV channels
* I love kitschy Asian supermarkets
* I love taking Xe Oms
* I love haggling for everything
* I love the foreign banknotes in my purse
* I love the healthy food
* I love trying to speak the local language
* I love that I know my way around
* I love that I have a job here
* I love not understanding the street signs
* I love the foreigness of it all
* I love when a lesson I teach goes well
* I love Asia

SarahHeadsEast xxx

a photo of my christmas tree...

...for no other reason than that I can, because my camera is FIXED! Hurrah. Courtesy of a backstreet camera stall in the Old Quarter, so I can now blog in full technicolour glory. Though Christmas is not a big holiday here, a few of the more kitschy items have made it to Hanoi. I resisted the urge to splurge on santa-shaped fairy light, instead settling for this modestly small tree.

Teaching continues to be both fun and tiring. I have got two other centres to teach at as well as my volunteering at the children's palace, and what with that and the Vietnamese lessons its a pretty full timetable. On sunday I took part in (i.e. watched) an English Singing Festival at the children's palace, involving 15 schools and around 1500 students were in attendanc. There was a whole day of songs and performances to be scored, and then prize-givings in the late afternoon. Video attached when I find the right lead.

On saturday night I was invited to a Hanoi Salsa club for some dancing. I was assured that they were 'basic' level, as am I (I thought) but they were considerable better than that, and I was most definitely NOT. Still good fun though, and I hope to go back soon.

SarahHeadsEast xx

Not complaining, just noticing

Heya folks,
I'm beginning to notice more and more the emphasis that parents put and the lengths they go to to get their children to learn English. Its not enough to just have lessons in school, there are evening classes throughout the week and early morning weekend classes too. It's sad, but ultimately true, that Vietnamese youngsters need to know English in order to secure the top jobs and wages in the future.

The linguist in me (BA, Hons) worries that the Vietnamese language should be upheld and promoted in industries within the country, boosting both the economy and national pride. Maybe it is, I dont know enough about it. The EFL teacher in me is thankful for the abundance of teaching jobs in Hanoi.

Either way, it seems the least I can do is make an effort to learn the language of the country that has welcomed me so warmly...

SarahHeadsEast xxx

Why there are no photos on this blog, and other news...

Hey all,

I survived the two-day long journey to Hanoi from Whitley Bay. My digital camera, it seems, did not. I discovered this on a trip out this afternoon to the Temple of Literature, my favourite Hanoi spot. I was planning a group of photos of the 'lesser-known' aspects of this beautiful temple series, given that I have already snapped the traditional pics on previous visits. For now they will have to remain not just 'lesser-known', but completely 'unknown'. However, I seem to arrived in a technological revolution, and Hanoi seems to be evolving digitally like never before, so shouldnt be too long before I'm sorted again.

In other news of moderate un-interest, the stone which caused my foot injury in 2007 is gone! Dug up and covered over with some sand. Perhaps my bone-breaking instigated a pavement-reform. Perhaps not. Either way my little toe is relieved.

Below are a few pics from my library-stock of Hanoi images of the Temple of Literature (Van Mieu). It's gorgeaus here, a real gem and a peaceful retreat from the crazyness of the city. Its especially peaceful later on in the afternoon when the tourists thin out and early evening sunlight creeps in. I sat for a while pondering the inherantly moronic affectation of some tourists, when some Vietnamese students stopped to chat. They were delighted to discover that I could speak a little Vietnamese, and we muddled through a conversation in a Viet-Eng hybrid. It was great fun. One of them, who's name I sadly didn't retain, taught me how to make an origami flower from a 1000VND note. All in all a wonderful afternoon.

SarahHeadsEast xx

Celebrity Spotted

Hey all,
I'm famous in Hanoi. No really. No kidding. I've just finished my first morning teaching at the English Centre out in the Cau Giay district of Hanoi. No, I don't know where it is either. I was picked up by motorbike at 7.15am and driven bright-eyed and bushy-tailed to the centre, where I have just taught 4 lessons of 30 minutes each. At the end of each lesson, the students came up to me asking for my signature, waving their books and pens like papparazzi. Its enough to give one an inflated ego, if one weren't already a modest Virgo...

My inner Virgo likes to tell me that I didn't do well at the teaching thing this morning, but infact I rather enjoyed myself and I think the students did too. I had a grueling no-holds-barred Q&A in my last class, with such questions as 'Do you have a boyfriend?' and 'Why do you have red hair?'. Some games are universal, and we played 'Slap the Board' and 'Simon Says' in every lesson. And that great trans-continental cornerstone of TEFL.....'Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes' may even have been called upon once or twice.

With any luck I have impressed my enthusiasm on the centre director Ms Huong, and she may invite me back to teach regular weekend classes. Hurrah!

In other news, I have now arranged to begin my own language classes back at Hidden Hanoi, scene of many a happy morning earlier this year. As I completed the basic 'survival' Vietnamese course in March, I'm diving straight in with the intermediate level, in which I expect to be shocking. I have forgotten quite a bit in my 8month absence, so from now until my first class is revision all the way!

SarahHeadsEast xx

Shopping

You can buy anything in Hanoi. Including, it seems, an ipod charger, USB cable and headphones, which I neglected to bring with me from England. I discovered this technological error whilst trying to get some tunes set up for my journey to and from work at the Children's Palace. I mentioned this to a Vietnamese friend and within minutes I was sorted. And only for 250,000VND. Or £7.50. Bargain!

I've found a bus route that will drop me off near to the Children's Palace of an evening. And for only 3,000VND its a real bargain. The bus drivers deserve a medal I feel, since they have to manoevure the vehicles through the crazyness that is Hanoi traffic, with motorbike drivers chancing their luck all the way. What heroes! Unfortunately the service stops at 9pm, so for the foreseeable, its a nightime moto-ride, or a long walk home...

SarahHeadsEast xx

Do you know where Hanoi's teenagers hang out?

...I do. And its not on street corners, in parks or metro stations drinking cider. Actually, it's the Ice Cream Parlour. I went there post-teaching for an ice cream, and discovered its Hanoi's place to see and be seen. And its so utterly harmless too, people just hanging out sitting on the backs of their motorbikes, chatting and eating Ice Cream. There's not even anyone smoking. Great. The Ice Cream is famous for being the best in Hanoi apparently. And it doesn't disappoint. Kind of a hybrid of ice cream, lassi, frozen yoghurt and something a bit grittier that I cant fathom.

Teaching continues to be both fun and tiring. I'm teaching really little kids, only around 5years old, but they are very keen, which makes my job very easy indeed. The emphasis is on games and songs and anything interactive, as this is an afterschool club, the rote grammar stuff they get in school. I actually made up a game yesterday, in which students had to run around the classroom asking each other 'How old are you?' and 'What is your name?' and it was a joy and a pleasure to see how much they enjoyed playing it.

I am transported to and from the project on the back of a motorbike. Rushing through the Hanoi streets after dark is exhilarating. In Hanoi, it's the only way to fly...


Until Next Time,

SarahHeadsEast xx

Teachers Day

I have arrived in Hanoi on 'Teachers Day', which if I remember correctly from 2007, is celebrated in style with performances and gifts and flowers in schools all over Hanoi. Is this a good omen that I have arrived on the same day with my own teaching plans? Discuss.

All is well in Hanoi. I arrived tired and in the dark, and did little more than flop into bed, but awoke the next morning to see that my digs are spacious and well equipped. I have my own room with TV and DVD player, and WiFi courtesy of the office downstairs, so a complete Hanoi-bubble is possible! I lifted up the blinds in my room to see if I have any neighbours, and a gecko dropped onto the floor and scurried away. Seems I have some neighbours then. This is Hanoi, as she is.

Yesterday was a sunday, and not alot going on, so I have taken the opportunity to recover from the flight and wander round, discovering old haunts. Amongst them being Tamarind Cafe (Mum: they do takeaway Mango Lassi AND have free WiFi!). As is the way in Hanoi, many businesses are fairly transient and can pack up or move without warning, which I have discovered, sadly, is the fate of the Lemon Hotel as well as my favourite tailor shop. Tailors can be a bit hit-and-miss here, so a good one is to be treasured!

And to today. Later on this afternoon, I am to be collected and taken to the Children's Palace project for my teaching induction. Eek! Actually, scary as it may be, I'm quite looking forward to starting work here, as it will provide a focus and structure to my days in Hanoi. I'm hoping as well to begin again Vietnamese lessons at 'Hidden Hanoi' soon, scene of many a happy class in March.

Tam Biet for now,
SarahHeadsEast xx

leaving on a jet plane....don't know when I'll be back again....

Heya folks!
Well its arrived, my bags are by the front door and *hopefully* under the airline weight limit. 6 months of planning, of hard graft at the Youth Hostel and of dreaming of Hanoi and its all about to become a reality. I make no apologies for reaching for all the traditional cliches, but I'm going to be living the dream out there and I can't wait. Nervous? sure, but I've decided to feel the fear...then do it anyway! Life is all about going for it, and I can't wait to see where the adventure will take me.

Before I descend into wanderlusty ramblings, I thought I'd post on here a lovely quote given to me by Lindsey yesterday, which just perfectly sums up me and this trip. Thanks chuck!

"Twenty years from now, you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the things you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover."

(Mark Twain)

So so long UK! Next post from Hanoi. Watch this space.

SarahHeadsEast xx

packing day

Heya folks,

I made it back to the coast this week with my backpack and my computer, along with hugs and cards and good wishes from my colleagues at the YHA. I have had such a fun summer season with them all, and I'm going to miss them very much. However, the next adventure is only 6DAYS away! Eek! Can scarceley believe that the dream is about to become a reality, for all my talking about hoping and planning, I now have to actually do it. Kick off is thursday evening, when I take the overnight coach down to London. After a day kicking around Heathrow I check in and fly late afternoon.....WOO!

...And so to packing, which at the minute looks like this. Somewhere burried beneath that is a list, and tomorrow I am going to check it all off and put it into my rucksack (minus the cat!). Whether it fits or not, and is within the airline weight limit, is another matter, but fingers crossed!

until next time,

SarahheadsEast xx

A photo...while the internet holds out...

...of me teaching English two years ago in Hanoi


DISCLAIMER: I had a broken toe in this picture, so the garish flipflops were for comfort rather than fashion!

Until next time...

SarahHeadsEast xx

Life Lessons from my Travels

1. "Massage" usually means "Brothel"

Be Warned! And do not mix them up! Nuff said!

2. A little language goes a long way

cliche but true, even just a few phrases can really help make friends and contacts in farflung places!

3. Learn to love CNN

It will become just as comforting and familiar as any travel companion or home comfort. And what with BBC World and Al Jazeera you can have the complete cultural spectrum covered :)

4. Even Monks will steal your bike

Being fleesed is likely to happen no matter how careful you are. However, remember that it all balances out in the end, one day a monk steals your bike, the next day you get a free visa.....c'est la vie :)

5. Don't Panic Mr Manwaring

Learn to go with the flow and take every opportunity that comes your way. Even when you are loaded onto a wooden boat in the dark and rowed out into seeming nothingness....don't panic, because the island resort is just around the corner....promise...

6. It's okay not to want to come home...

no explanation required!



Until next time...

SarahHeadsEast xx

Happy Birthday Hanoi!

Hey all,
First of all I have to apologise for the lack of photos so far on the blog. I am currently enjoying free, if slow, WiFi courtesy of Northumberland National Park, and great as it is, the picture upload capacity is sadly lacking. However, in just under two weeks I will be moving back to Whitley Bay, and will be able to blog in full technicolour glory. Hurrah!

Well my leaving date has now crept into the bottom of the staff rota, which when I saw it gave me a shock; what I have been thinking about so much actually becoming a reality. At this point my inner Virgo started bleating about fictitious things that had to be done and how unprepared I am. Which of course is untrue. Only the packing to go now!

In 2010 Hanoi will celebrate its' 1000th Birthday as Vietnam's capital city, which should mean that there are some awesome events and celebrations to experience, and as good a reason as any to stick around for as long as possible. This will also mean that Tet, which is the Vietnamese New Year celebration in February will be 'supersized' this year, and even bigger, brighter, noiser and more crazy than normal!

S xx

Plans Plans Plans

Hey all,
Well there is very little to do out here in the land of sheep other than plan, plan, plan, so I thought a post might be in order about what exactly I'm going to be doing when I head out into 'abroad'.

First off is a stint volunteering in the Hanoi Children's Palace, which is a government-run afterschool club for Hanoi youngsters from any age and class, to congregate and learn music, dance, art and English, amongst other things. During the summer months they expand and run throughout the day too. In return for my helping out there I get accomodation and food at 188/9 Quanh Thanh street, otherwise known as 'STA-house' (Alpine VietNam Travel Hotel Tours Volunteer Education). I stayed here two years ago as a volunteer teacher with 'i-to-i', and on my last trip in February was pleased to see that they now had some meeting rooms which could also be used for private language tuition.

In February next year my very good friend Lindsey will be descending into the chaos of Hanoi, which will be a good chance for me to have a break from volunteering to show her round. We'll head out to HaLong Bay, made famous by James Bond films and Top Gear specials, and then to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, which promises to be awesome and beautiful and amazing. I'm told its possible to tour the temples on bikes or elephants, and I think we'll do both!
On the way back to Hanoi, I have strategically inserted 24hrs wandering in Kuala Lumpur between budget flights, which will be amazing and already I reckon not long enough. As long as I see the Petronas Towers though, I'll be happy!

The unexpected break in KL has triggered a travel-goal for 2010....Asian Megacities. I would love to explore the big cities of South East Asia, among them Singapore, KL, Bangkok and Tokyo if I've got time. And home in time for tea...

Thats all folks! I'll add some photographs soon, and also, a post entitled 'Happy Birthday Hanoi', I'll leave you to ponder what that'll be about...

Sarah xx

time for an update...and some visuals

Hey all,
Well I did a mock pack the other day when I was feeling all wanderlusty. In a couple of months I will be clearing out of my room at YHA Once Brewed, and have only a rucksack to carry back to the coast with me, so I'm having to be more frugal than ever! All work clothes have got to go, as has stuff which 'doesnt-quite-fit-at-the-minute-but-will-do-when-I-commence-my-anti-YHA-diet' :)

I realise that this post has very little to do with Vietnam, but this is turning into a literary-topheavy blog, so here is a picture that will keep me going through my last few weeks in Northumberland and out on the plane too....

Skype...Believe the Hype!

As of this morning the 6 month multiple entry business visa arrived in my passport, looking all official and important. I guess this means that I must be going!

Also in the post this morning were the accessories and assorted gadgetry to get me up and running on 'Skype', which is going to be an awesome way of keeping in touch once I'm in Hanoi. I urge everybody now, right now, to download this amazing programme (and no, I've not been recruited as a Skype salesperson!), cos its just plain awesome. I'll be able to make FREE internet phone calls to everyone back home who has joined the 'skypelution', and very very cheap phone calls too. When you've downloaded skype, be sure to search for me as 'sarahcurson', and lets start skyping!

And as if that isnt enough of an incentive, anyone who does chat to me on Skype will have the pleasure of seeing my pixellated self wearing a clunky, retro, aviator style microphone headset, circa Terry Wogan 1975!

Packing: An exercise in Minimalism

I have still got nearly three months to go but already the bag is open on my bedroom floor and is rapidly filling up with odd stuff to take with me.

I must admit, packing my life up is proving to be a liberating experience, and scarceley have I spent a happier afternoon than filling up black bin-liners with stuff that I no longer wear/use/want but which nevertheless has been hanging around my life for too long. I am really enjoying stripping back to the bare essentials, and cant wait to get on the plane with only those few essential, important items that make up the being that is Me. 'Stuff' equals 'Baggage' in my book, and the fewer things I take with me the better. I'm finding that being that frugal with myself is really helping to clarify whats important to take with me, and the more things I throw out, the clearer they become. They include, amongst others:-

• Laptop - okay, so I grew up in the digital era, and am increasingly becoming melded as one to this little cuboid of technology. But, when I'm in Vietnam, my laptop will be everything. Not only will I have lesson plans and resources on there, but I'll also be updating the blog, skyping, emailing, researching lessons, watching dvds and listening to music too. Gosh, I sound like such a techno-geek dont I. But thats just my generation, so ner :

• Entertainment - At great personal sacrifice, I am leaving all but two paperback books behind, reasoning that books are just too bulky and heavy, and really unnecessary. (those books I am taking, by the way, are purely to read on the plane, given that its going to take the best part of 24hrs to get there!). Instead I am taking a small CD wallet of DVDs to keep me going, and only taking those films that are important to me. Among them are 'The Bucket List', 'Into the Wild' and 'The History Boys'. Anyone who wants to understand me and why I'm going, watch those three films!!

• Clothes - this has probably fallen prey to my biggest and most dramatic attack of minimalism and frugality. Did you know that most people wear 20% of their wardrobe 80% of the time? That 80% unworn portion of my wardrobe has gone straight to the charity shop (which is, incidentally, where most of it came from), and of whats left, I'm still only going to take about half of it!

With the exception of boring stuff like first aid kit and mosquito repellant, thats pretty much it! Like I said, to me, 'stuff' equals 'baggage', and nobody wants that!

tam biet for now,
S xx

Ultimate Adventure

Well its autumn time again, and that can only mean that I must be preparing for a trip. Just cant stand to let the backpack stay stationary and gather dust for too long. Or myself for that matter. Barely let myself unpack and put a load of washing on before I'm applying for visas and dusting off the lonely planet guides again (other travel guides are available).

As the fortune teller at the WOMAD festival said, there is one particular country that is calling me back again and again, and that of course is Vietnam. Each trip brings something new, whether it is teaching English voluntarily or taking a language course. On the most recent trip (february/march 09), it was such a humungous wrench to leave, I had to be dragged off to the airport like peeling a limpet off a rock, or something.

So thats it, its time to be gutsy and make a proper go of the TEFL thing out there. I've given myself 6 months to a year to make it work for real, and I'm in the process of reducing my worldly possessions to the 20kg allowed by Cathay Pacific Airlines (plus laptop as carry-on, thankfully!). I have an initial stint volunteer teaching at the Childrens' Palace in Hanoi, and then who knows? The Ultimate Adventure awaits...