Day 11

Today has been a pretty emotional kind of day. Everything we did today revolved around the Vietnam war. In the morning we all got up and on the road by 7:30 AM.  We drove an hour and a half to get to the Củ Chi Tunnels.  These tunnels were elaborate underground passageways that the North Vietnamese used to attack the US and South Vietnamese troops.  It was very eerie to walk around a place where a knew so many people were brutally killed. The took us on a tour and showed us huge craters left in the ground which were remnants of bombs that exploded. Also they showed us secret passageways that were so tiny, the small Vietnamese man could barely fit inside it, and they were used to hide and ambush.  But what really got to me was when we walked around and looked at examples of various traps that were hidden and used to kill any who accidentally walked over them.  There were bamboo traps, door traps, see saw traps, and a whole bunch of others. Just seeing the large sharp nails, and thinking about what would happen if you stepped on one really creeped me out and made me sad that it actually happened to people. When we finally got to walk through one of the underground tunnels it was actually pretty cool. We had to crawl because it was only about 2.5 feet tall and 2 ft wide. Not to mention it was pitch black. I kept using my camera flash as a light to see where I was going. I can't imagine running through one of those during a war. At the end of the visit there were a bunch of gunshots from a firing range nearby, and that just made the who experience so surreal. I'm glad I got to experience this historical site, but man was it emotionally draining.

After eating lunch out on a dock. We went to see the War Remnants Museum right down the street from the hotel. The portrayal of the war from the Vietnamese stand point is definitely different from the American version we learn in school. To them, we were the enemy. Walking through the museum I started getting really upset seeing the terribly gruesome pictures and displays of large guns and bombs. I guess that is the reality of war, it was just really tough to see. It was cool seeing the other side of the story though. There are always 2 sides and I think it is an extremely valuable thing to experience. It is definitely eye opening.

Tank outside of the museum

Only a few of the guns displayed

Gas masked used during Agent Orange

A picture of some soldiers during the war

After the museum we went shopping for some souvenirs and I found a couple of really neat things. I still need some more for people but Im running out of ideas for gifts! Tonight we are taking the UEF gang out to dinner as a thank you and farewell. I'm really really going to miss those guys. I will be so sad to leave them.

Day 10

Today was a very chill day. Everyone was so exhausted from the heat and lack of sleep. It was a very slow and lazy kind of day. In the morning we had a culture class where we learned some of the history of the Vietnam War. It was very sad to listen too. The part of the lesson that got to me the most was probably the part when the teacher talked about Agent Orange, when the US sprayed chemicals all over Vietnamese fields to kill off any vegetation.  The chemicals left a severe consequence on the people exposed even causing mutations in their children many years after exposure.  It was especially humbling when the teacher told us his niece is affected from the Agent Orange, but when someone asked if he was mad at the US because of this he said, "Not at all, If I was to feel hatred towards every country we have been in war with, I would have a lot of enemies."

Then in language class we just went over stuff we already knew but we were starting to put it in conversations and I thought it was really cool to hear how far everyone has come in the past two weeks. I can't even imagine how much we would know if we could stay a month. We would probably be practically fluent! Its really nice learning Vietnamese because at every company visit we've had, when the person we are meeting with is not Vietnamese, they have all told us they do not speak Vietnamese. Even people who have been here for many years, never bothered to learn. Its very easy to leave here and not know any Vietnamese language because most people here do speak some type of English. But to me its just respectful to try and learn their language and their culture as guests of the country.

In the afternoon we met with this Realtor, Pat, who has been living in Vietnam for a long time, has a family here and sells houses.  It is interesting how property ownership works in Vietnam, because it doesn't actually belong to you.  You can by the land and build on it but that doesn't make it your property. The land is owned by the government. All of it. So if the government really wanted to it could kick you out of your own house and use the land for something else. So pretty much you can't buy a house. Only lease it. She was really nice, and after the meeting she told us all about places in Vietnam we need to check out. I really enjoyed talking with her.

We went out to dinner with the UEF students again tonight. It was a lot of fun as usual. And as usual we take over the whole joint with the huge group we arrive with. This time they even had to rearrange the restaurant! Its always a lot of fun hanging out with them. All of us are just goofy people that like to joke around with each other and have a good time. After dinner though I was so tired I immediately fell asleep. A good sleep was much needed.

Day 9

Ok so today was absolutely insane. It started off like any other normal day. Wake up. Go to breakfast. Meet in the hotel lobby at 8:30. Wait for Jay and Leeor to stroll in at 8:40. Go to school. Sit through lecture and Vietnamese language class. Then Lunch at the Canteen.  But then we go to our company visit with Glass Egg Digital Media. And thats where things started to get interesting. Glass Egg is a gaming company, and basically what they do is 3-D art design for video games such as designing and creating cars for racing games.  It was really neat to meet with the head director of the company, Steve Reid, because he is also the co-owner of our favorite place to go at night, Lush! He talked with us about his company, all about the criteria to be an artist on their team, and how there is no other company like them in Vietnam so they are living the luxurious life of no competition, therefore feeling less pressure.  Afterwards he talked about coming to Vietnam and how he used to explore all the clubs, and we talked about Lush too.  He told us that tonight was ladies night, and that there would be about 600 people who show up. To top it off he said he was going to call in ahead of time and get us a table, all we had to do was ask for James, the general manager.

After the meeting everyone was all excited about Lush, that was all anyone could talk about. We finally went to Ben Thanh Market, in search of souvenirs.  It was really intimidating as people would grab your arm or follow you really closely to try and get you to by stuff. Not to mention the isle ways were no wider than 2 feet so the place was PACKED! I ended up buying a few souvenirs there.  I have come to find I am not very good at hashing....at all.  The sales people give me a price and I try getting them to lower it like I'm supposed to but I must have "Push-over" written across my forehead, because it never worked for me. I don't know why, everyone else has gotten their prices down by a good 40% or more. I will go back and try again though.

Ben Thanh!

After the market we went to dinner at this BBQ place, and it must be a Vietnamese thing to have restaurants where you have to cook your own food, because when I ordered chicken kabobs i literally got raw chicken on a stick, and had to cook it over a little grill on the table. It was very very tasty, It just took longer to eat dinner than expected since I had to prepare it myself. Then it was time for LUSH! So we show up to the club and we ask for James like we were told. Next thing I know, we are being seated in the VIP section on the upper level that looks out over the rest of the club, with our very own table! It was so cool. Everyone was having fun, dancing, talking, and relaxing. Only here for a week and a half and already VIP's...not too shabby for some nerdy American students.

Day 4

Today was really interesting. We had a lecture this morning on how you are supposed to communicate with the Vietnamese in a way that is respectful.  We must never be confrontational. The Vietnamese never admit when they are wrong. Instead they will say something like "well we can do it your way but my way is ok too." And by doing that they are inadvertently admitting they are wrong.  Also we must get used to the up in your space kind of interaction the Vietnamese will show towards us.  They will touch us and get in our faces to talk, and ask us very personal questions like our age, salary, whether we are single or not, and other things like that.  It is funny that we have learned this because all of these things have happened to me already.

In language class we learned all of the numbers and certain phrases that will be useful when we go to the market. I can't believe how quickly we all have started to pick up the language. I can't wait to go to the market to practice Vietnamese to the sellers there. We will all get the chance to barter which is going to be interesting. Apparently we should always try and get 30% off of whatever price they initially say.

After lunch at the canteen we all went back to the hotel and changed into our business casual. We then headed to the consulate and had a meeting with one of the Foreign business relations employees.  He told us about how the US is trying to get more businesses to open up in Vietnam, especially due to the economic growth that is occurring.  It was so interesting to hear about the relationship between Vietnam and America. It is cool to see that even after all that has happened with the war we are able to work together and try and better the living conditions of everyone.

Lunch at the Canteen at UEF 

Mastering the chopsticks skills

After the meeting we all went for a quick swim in the pool and then met up to go to dance class. It was hilarious and the best time I have had so far. We were on the roof of some building and there were us 15 from Pitt with about 30 some Vietnamese students. And we were all dancing with each other. I got to dance the tango with Hugh, who is one of my friends from UEF and about 4'11. So that was a sight to see! It was really funny, but really cute. In America I'm short. In Vietnam I'm a giant. Everyone is super tiny! But that was a lot of fun. Then we were teaching them American dances like the Cotton Eye Joe, and some Lady GaGa dance moves. They were cracking up and videotaping us the entire time.

Just totally taking over the entire pool...which is on the roof.

After that Ngoc, Tuan, Lizzie, Phuc, Hieu, and Khuong took us to get some rice and chicken, It was a little sketchy looking but we tried it and it was actually pretty good. The food always is amazing no matter where we go!

Day 8

Today was a very long day, but it was really nice. In the morning we walked to Hard Rock Cafe and got to talk to the commercial director of Viet Thai International, Dan Thai. Viet Thai is a company that works with businesses in Ho Chi Minh City. They are running Hard Rock Cafe, Highlands coffee, Armani, Nike, and other companies like them. It was really neat to hear his own personal story, and how his brother left the US to go to Vietnam with only 700 dollars. With the realization that the coffee industry needed work in Vietnam, and the personal motivation he turned the $700 into millions of dollars as Highland's Coffee was founded along with Viet Thai. I thought his story was really inspirational. Just a regular man, with the motivation and passion of doing something good for his country, and look at all he accomplished.

Jimi Hendrix's Scarf 

Then we ate lunch in the VIP section of The Hard Rock cafe. I had the duck wrap and fries. It was pretty good, but for some reason the fries and ketchup really hit the spot. Everyone working there was so nice to us! After lunch we went to Highland's Coffee training center where the Director of Highland's Coffee, Andrew Nathan, met with us and gave us a ton of coffee drinks to try. It was the best coffee I have ever had. It was extremely rich and creamy. I bought like 2 packs of the ground coffee beans. Im so excited for people back home to try it. Mr. Nathan told us that Highland's is planning on going international, and should be in the States soon.

When the meeting was over Kim, Maia, and I decided to do some shopping so we walked around the mall for a while.  I ended up buying a shirt, and I can't wait to wear it tonight when we all go out on the town! Around 6 we went to karaoke with some of the Highland's coffee people. It was really fun! The Vietnamese sang their songs in Vietnamese and all of us sang oldies music in English. I sat next to Tom and we were dancing and singing along. We sang Hey Jude, Build Me Up Buttercup, and I assisted Matt with singing Brown Eyed Girl. There were other good classics like Bon Jovi Livin on a Prayer, and even Ghostbusters. It was a good time.

This picture describes karaoke.

Break it down Matt

Well time to get ready to explore the wonders of Ho Chi Minh City! PS I'm writing this blog while wearing my cone hat.

Day 7

Today was such a relaxing day! In the morning we all got up and out of the hotel by 7:45. We all got in cabs to take us to the dock where we would catch the hydrofoil, which is just like a taxi, but its a really fast boat. However the cab driver took my cab to the wrong dock and Nikki, Kim, Maia, Ben, Stephen and I had to sprint down the streets of Ho Chi Minh City so we wouldn't miss the boat. I was laughing so hard I couldn't breathe. We almost missed it but we got there just in time. The boat ride was really long but Steve and I just listened to the comedian Demetri Martin on the way there, and I went out on deck to take pictures of the Delta.

From the boat on the Delta

Floating Market

Me posing in front of the floating market

When we got there Tin took us around to a lot of religious sites in Vung Tau.  The first place was called Pagoda, which had a giant statue of Jesus on top of a mountain. We all went inside the temple where we had to take our shoes, sunglasses and hats off. Then we lit incense and Tin taught us the proper way to pray in the temple where we stand facing the front, with the lit incense in our hands as we pressed our palms together in pray position then we stand in silence and pray for good health and a happy life. When we are done we bow three times and then put the incense in a pot of sand outside the temple. Then we went to climb the mountain where Jesus was and it was the hottest most exhausting climb. The millions of winding stairs were all different sizes and it was really awkward to walk up. Did I mention that it was HOT? Almost 100 degrees, plus about 90% humidity. It was really awesome once we reached the top though It was a great view of the shore and the city.

The Pagoda

Praying inside the temple

The crew in front of the South China Sea

Climbing the mountain towards Jesus

View from half-way up of the South China Sea

We made it to Jesus!

Looking back on what we hiked.

After lunch we went to the beach where we all just ran out into the South China Sea, which is really flat and there weren't a lot of waves but it was perfect for splashing around and playing frisbee. It was so sunny and warm out it felt like we were on vacation. After a little while of running around and sun bathing Tin and Anh set up fun games that were really obscure and embarrassing. One game we had to stick a banana between our knees and hop to meet our teammates where we transfered the banana to the next persons knees without using hands. Another one was where we had 4 people on one small piece of paper and we had to fit everyone completely on the paper. Each round the paper got smaller and smaller so we eventually had to make a tower of people.

Day 6

Today we had a day trip. We went to a cocoa farm and learned how they prepare the cocoa beans we saw how they dried the beans on this large drying rack and the machine they use to ferment them as well. In order to grow cocoa trees they must plant them under some other crop. In most cases they use coconut trees to help raise the cocoa plants. They let us sample some milk, dark, and white chocolate that were made from the local cocoa plants. It was the most delicious, rich chocolate I have ever tasted before. I wish I could bring some of it back to the states but it would just be all melted and messy. So people back home will just have to take my word on it. We did get a chance to buy some of their products. They were selling chocolate bars, hot cocoa powder, baking cocoa powder, and cocoa wine.

Cocoa and cocoa beans

The best chocolate EVER!

Posing by a pile of Cocoa...pretty standard.

After that we went to the Delta where we were able to purchase some of the conical straw hats that the Vietnamese wear called a nón lá. Then we went on a boat tour of the river. We learned that they do a lot of catfish raising there. Everywhere you turn there seemed to be a catfish farm. Then we made a stop at this little island where they were growing coconuts and we all got to sample these really sweet and chewy coconut candies.  They also had these little side vendors that sold really pretty souvenirs which gave us all a chance to shop. I got some things for my parents and friends here.  We roamed around for a while to gaze at the scenery. There was a place to feed crocodiles and walk across really skinny bamboo bridges. It was so beautiful there.

Cool boats on the Delta

I have one of those cone hats

Rocking the cone hat and peeling a coconut at the same time

More cone hats

On the Island

GATORS!!!!!

Walking across the bamboo bridge.

For dinner we went to the restaurant Kichi Kichi with some students from UEF for Alex's birthday. Its just like the Melting pot in the US except for there was a much more bizarre selection of items to cook in your hot pot. Each person got to choose what type of broth they wanted. The broths were Japanese, Taiwanese, and Chinese ranging from mild to really really spicy. I tried a lot of different things like squid, prawn, clams, and and other shell fish. Everything was all fine and dandy until Maia tried to eat an egg, and when she opened it a baby chick came out of it. Everyone was freaking out, it was really gross looking. Tuan told us though that it was very common to get a baby chick and that it meant you have good luck. After that nice surprise everyone sang happy birthday to Alex and ate birthday cake. 

When we got back to the hotel we all freshened up to go to this club called Lush, that is owned by the same people that own Glass Egg Digital Media, the company we will be visiting on Tuesday. It was really cool inside. They had a dance area and then a sit down are where you can just talk. There was a great DJ and really cool strobe lights and black lights everywhere. There were a ton of kids our age there too which made it really fun.

Day 5

In guest lecture today we learned all about the people of the Mekong Delta which is a major river in southern Vietnam. There are 4 different ethnicities located in the delta and we learned how to interact with them.  We learned they would be really friendly and want to say hello, which we found out was the case. Everyone was really friendly there. In language class we learned the months and days of the week as well as reviewed numbers and more common phrases we will need for the market.

Our company visit was with ACDI/VOCA today.  This is a NGO that works with farmers to teach them how to successfully grow cocoa. They didn't have a huge fancy meeting room like the other companies we have seen before. The room was smaller, and the technology wasn't as advanced but I liked this company meeting the most because their goal is to help those in poverty to get out of poverty, so it was really neat hearing about all the good they were doing for their country.

In the evening we met up with the gang Tuan and went to Karaoke. It was way different then in the US. The group gets your own private room were there is a stage and a large TV. It was hilarious, everyone was dancing and singing and I think it got a lot of people to relax maybe break out of their shell a little.  We sang a wide range of songs from Pitbull's Hotel Room to Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody.  Everyone seemed like they were having a great time.

Karaoke!

Just singing a little tune.

Kicking back with Tuan.

Day 3

Dinner last night was so much fun with the UEF students. We ate these delicious pancakes that we wrapped in rice cakes.  It was absolutely amazing.  Then they took us to a frozen yogurt place I ate so much food last night I have never felt so full in my life.

Today we didn't have any classes we just had 3 company visits. First we went to and industrial park called VSIP. It was a lot like Phu My Hung with their plans of building new residences, activity center, shops, and other businesses.  Its like a whole new city. After that we went to II-VI the largest laser producing company in the world.  I really liked this visit because I got to see how the lenses in the lasers were made for things like hair removal and laser eye surgery. The tour of the facility was really cool.  We got to see how they put together all of the products by hand! It is so tedious. Some of the workers need a microscope and tweezers to put together the products. II-VI was so interesting and they answered all of my questions really elaborately so it was easy to understand what exactly everyone was doing. Then in the afternoon we went to a Vietnamese bank which surprisingly was the most fun company visit we have had so far. They were extremely nice and really funny.  One of the workers came up to me and asked my age, after responding I was 19 he got this shocked look on his face and said "I am 33....that not to old." and then smiled at me. After that he started taking handfuls of little Vietnamese mint candies and shoving it in all the girls purses or putting them in our hands. It was so funny, none of us could stop laughing! Everyone was in such a good mood and having a good time.

During free time we decided to walk around and explore. We walked all around and got coffee, went shopping. At first all the guys complained about shopping but they were the ones that ended up buying so much stuff. I bought a really pretty embroidered shirt at an extremely little shop. There were so many cute little stores. After that we all went to Pho 24 for dinner. The food was amazing as usual. I'm getting so good at using chopsticks that I ate my entire soup with them. It was impressive.

Exploring the Streets of Ho Chi Minh

Motor Bike Traffic. Insane Right?

Day 2

Today we started off with a guest lecture where we got to learn more about Ho Chi Minh City.  The teacher taught us about the various statistics, a little history, the different districts of the city, and the economics of the city.  She had difficulty pronouncing a lot of words in English but I actually enjoyed that because it helped me get used to the strong Vietnamese accent.  I feel terrible when I don't understand what someone is saying.

Language class was fun as usual.  Learning the language is really hard but the teacher is so great that you don't even realize how much you are learning. She is very interactive which is good because then no one can hide in a corner. It pretty much forces you to learn the language.  Today I was called on a lot to go to the front of the room and speak.  I always get a little nervous when I'm put on the spot because I want to get it right so badly, its just my accent is horrible! I will keep working on it though. Its really fun working with the UEF students in that class. Just talking to them is so helpful with learning the pronunciation of things. Huang, the girl helping me out today is relentless! But I love it. She makes me and Steve practice the conversations over and over again until we get it completely right.  She is a touch cookie but she is so nice too and is extremely extremely helpful.

Phu My Hung was way different than I expected. I thought it was just going to be boring construction stuff. Instead it was really cool! They are building a new city center, and the different areas with all the new absolutely beautiful residences and office buildings.  Everything is by the water and the flowers are gorgeous too.  It seemed to be the equivalent of the gated communities in the US. It was extremely nice and new and modern looking.

Phu My Hung Skyline

Tonight we have a dinner date with some UEF students who are taking us out to a Vietnamese restaurant down in Phu My Hung where we were earlier today and then to a yogurt place.  Everyone is so friendly here! I feel like that people aren't as friendly in the US. But I'm really looking forward to our own personal tour of the city by kids our age. I think its going to be a lot of fun!

First Day

The first day was seriously intense. I have learned so much about Vietnam in just the few hours of being here. I'd have to say the very first thing I noticed upon arrival was the insane amount of traffic! There are hundreds of motorbikes in every direction. They aren't only on the , but they drive all over the sidewalks as well. Its really amazing the things they can fit on one motorbike. I have seen a family of four and many people carrying loads that are up to about 3 times the size of the bikes. The city itself is beautiful.  There are Big green palms and grass areas with pretty gardens all over the place. The streets are lined with trees. I can't wait to get out and explore more of the city.

When we first got to class they welcomed us by singing to us and dancing a traditional Vietnamese dance.  They even gave us gifts! The people here couldn't be more generous and welcoming. Talking with people from different cultures and backgrounds is really an experience everyone should have.  There isn't anything like it. I think it really opens your mind up to a world that may sometimes be out of your comfort zone.  I have already asked the UEF students so many questions already. Making friends is really easy, because everyone wants to get to know each other better.  I already have 2 e-mails and a lunch date! I think making new friends with the students is what I'm most excited about. They are all really interesting people. One girl, Huyen, and I talked for a long time.  She came with me to Vietnamese class and really helped me learn the proper pronunciation of things.  I hope that her and I can get a chance to talk more and become good friends. She has never been out of Vietnam before but she told me she wants to come study in the US. I hope she will come visit me when she does. I would love to give her the same experience in a foreign country that she has given me.  As we were leaving she told me she couldn't wait to make great memories with me and I couldn't agree more.

UEF Welcomes UP

Language Class

When we got to the US Consulate I felt extremely intimidated.  There were men with rifles and we had to go through security before we even entered the building. Im really glad we got to go there though.  I really enjoyed learning more about the relationship between Vietnam and the US.  I got a little emotional when Chuck Bennett took us out to the exact spot where the Tet Offensive occurred and US soldiers and Vietcong soldiers were shot and killed when the People's Army made an attack on the original US consulate. It was a really neat experience though, and I feel extremely honored to be given the opportunity to see that.  

The welcome dinner was to die for. Everything tasted amazing.  The food here is so delicious. At dinner we got so much food. I believe it came to a total of 7 courses. There was seafood, pork, chicken, beef, vegetables, fruits, rice, noodles, and anything else you can think of. My personal favorite was the fried octopus! It was a great first day, I'm so happy to be here!  Hen gap lai!

Hong Kong Airport

Mountains outside the gate at the Hong Kong Airport. They are everywhere and are absolutely gorgeous! This makes me want to travel through China as well.  The airport is huge and is pretty high tech.  We have to sit here and wait for 2.5 hours before we take off for Ho Chi Minh City.  I woke up 5:00 am on May 7, and won't be in bed tonight until around 11:30 pm May 8.

During the Flight

I'm sitting in the Hong Kong Airport running on about a total of 2 hours sleep in the past 24 hours. The 15 hour plane ride was extremely exhausting. On the plane I sat next to a young Vietnamese woman whom a talked to for a while.  She is visiting her family in Vietnam as a one year memorial for her father, who passed away a year ago.  She was very fascinated by the Plus3 Program and she gave me a lot of tips to keep in mind during my trip.  She showed me some dong she had in her wallet from the last time she was in Vietnam, and gave me tips on how to safely cross the road. It was really touching how excited she was for me to be able to see Vietnam.  Just talking to her about it really made me appreciate this opportunity, and has made me super eager to see the country.