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