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