Jeeeeez, it's been a challenging month here in Vietnam. I'm acutely aware at my failure as a blogger, having not updated since the beginning of December, and I'm really sorry to anyone who's been following my posts :(
I could make a myriad of excuses right now, but the main problem I've had is computer related. My laptop is over 5 years old now, and it's on it's last legs. It has now stopped allowing me to upload photos to the internet. And so I've been unable to post all the great pictures of food I've taken. This saddens me, as I had planned out a most excellent food oriented post that totally would've blown your minds with it's awesomeness and glorious accompanying photos.
Alas! It was not to be.
Instead, I offer you this:
What was Christmas like in Ho Chi Minh City?
- I spent Christmas Eve at the school, and Skyped my parents who had sent me a parcel of gifts, which I opened on camera. I had a little cry after talking with them, but then had an early night, and almost forgot it was Christmas.
In the evening of Christmas Day, I went to a buffet meal organised by one of the other interns. As a vegetarian, the options weren't incredible, but I had a lot of macaroni cheese and beer, and it was good to spend Christmas with friends.
The Christmas decorations in Sai Gon were really something. They go all out! Some of them were much more stylish and pretty than ones I see back home. Others were garishly kitsch - like the santas dangling from the side of Diamond Plaza.
What did I do for New Years Eve?
- On NYE, me and some friends managed to get ourselves a great room at the last minute in the Bui Vien (backpackers) area in District 1. We started the night watching the music channel, and I creeped them out with my in-depth knowledge of k-pop. We then went to a few bars, and ended up having a rather odd, anti-climatic midnight on the street outside Crazy Buffalo nightclub. After buying an obscene amount of food from the Circle K Mart and street stalls, we were back in the hotel room watching a documentary on David Guetta by 1:30am. I ended the night Skyping a friend who'd gone to Singapore for the New Year and comparing our nights.
What's happening now that I'm at the end of my internship?
- I'm staying on for another semester, and it's being classed as a second internship through TTV. This will last until August, and I will be teaching along with two new interns from TTV.
I actually just submitted my application for university this September, which was a kinda crazy, last minute decision. Lyn from TTV wrote a reference with me, and with a little help and advice from my parents and my aunt who is a Connexions advisor back home, I wrote a fantastic personal statement.
For a long time, my dream has been to live in either Japan or Korea, but without a degree I've been unable to apply for a work visa. Enlisting on a degree course to do Japanese and Korean Studies will not only captivate my interests, but also take me one step closer to achieving my dream of being a foreign language teacher there.
Yes, by the time I graduate I will be 28 years old. But it's better late than never, huh?
Until next time, Peace Out!
Showing posts with label survival tips. Show all posts
Showing posts with label survival tips. Show all posts
Wednesday, 16 January 2013
Monday, 29 October 2012
Some answers to some questions, and some pictures of some things...
Hellooooo girls and boys! Greetings from Ho Chi Minh City on this lovely Monday evening.I am currently feasting on Pocky and strawberry juice, whilst I watch k-pop music videos on Youtube. Oh, it's a hard life!
Anyway, enough about me and my dull evening down-time. And onto the main point of this blog post: questions you guys have been asking me.
On the i-to-i Chalkboard Forum, I told people they were more than welcome to inbox me any questions they have about Vietnam and to my surprise, people actually took me up on that offer. I've had quite a few messages from people, and a lot of them seem to ask similar things. So I decided to do this blog post, and see if I can answer some of them.
Today, I got a message from Annabelle (hi there!) with a few questions in, and so I'll use hers as an example =)
"1. Insurance? What did you do? and what would you recommend?"
As far as insurance goes, I got mine with FOGG, through i-to-i. I shopped around a bit before hand, but couldn't find any other policies that specifically covered you for travel and work at a reasonable price. It's also simple to sort out, with a quick phonecall to i-to-i.
"2. What would you recommend I prioritize in my 'requests' when applying? - Location/Number of people at placement/ Age of kids?"
When I applied for the internship, I didn't specify a location, or the number of people at my placement. I would rather not have been alone, and was told by TTV that I would be placed with at least one other person. My preferences for age were (in order from what I wanted most, to least): Primary, Kindergarten, High School, University. I ended up with High School, but I'm not disappointed. In fact, I'm ecstatic to be working with older kids. I think I actually like it better than teaching younger children.
The main thing to remember is: even if you put down specific preferences, it's not guaranteed that you'll get them. So head into it with an open mind. You may be surprised.
"3. What happens money-wise? Do I need to get organised with a cashcard...?"
I came to Vietnam with my debit card from the UK, and about US$300. Because things are so cheap, I barely spent any money! I bought my card for emergencies. When you withdraw cash from an ATM here, they usually charge you. And of course, your bank may charge you for using your card abroad as well, so keep that in mind.
As for paying for things here: everywhere deals in cash. It's very rare for people to use a card to pay for anything, and some places won't have the facilities to use a card. I get my wages paid to me in cash. I will be opening a Vietnamese bank account at some point, but only because I intend to stay here. I don't think it's a necessity if you are only staying 5-6 months.
"4. Is there anything I should be asking for for christmas - a wish list type thing!?"
Girls: stock up on makeup, like foundation and powder, because it will be hard to find stuff pale enough here (especially if you're stupidly white like me). I'd also recommend bringing tampons, as they can be hard to find.
If your family want to help you by buying you things for Vietnam for Christmas, ask them for practical stuff like: a mosquito net, smart clothes for teaching, maybe a travel hairdryer or iron.
"5. Are there any cultural taboos I should know about?"
The biggest things I can think of are as follows:
- When beckoning for someone to come towards you, do not do so with your palm facing upwards, as this is essentially telling that person you want to sleep with them. Instead, turn your palm downwards, and make a sweeping gesture towards yourself.
- Women don't smoke here, and it's seen as very rude for them to do so.
- Touching a child's head (when you don't know them) is seen as rude.
- Always take your shoes off when entering someone's house.
- Public displays of affection, or PDAs are kinda a no-no. Although you do see young, Vietnamese couples sneaking a few kisses in parks after dark.
"6. Are there any books I should read? Experiences I should try and get before arriving?""
Before I came here, I read:
- The Rough Guide to Vietnam: much better than the Lonely Planet's guide. Very informative and interesting. This is a must buy.
- The Quiet American by Graham Greene: "Into the intrigue and violence of Indochina (Vietnam) comes Pyle, a young idealistic American sent to promote democracy through a mysterious 'Third Force'. As his naive optimism starts to cause bloodshed, his friend Fowler, a cynical foreign correspondent, finds it hard to stand aside and watch. But even as he intervenes he wonders why: for the sake of politics, or for love?"
- The Lover by Marguerite Duras: "Two outcasts--an adolescent French girl and her Chinese lover--struggle to be together during the waning days of the colonial period in Indochina (Vietnam)."
I also watched these films:
- Indochine
- Apocalypse Now
- The Deer Hunter
As for experiences: Practice with chopsticks. See if you can find a Vietnamese restaurant near you, and try some of the food. Find out more about the American war. Get some knowledge of K-pop (your students will love you for it - focus on Big Bang and Super Junior).
I hope these answers have helped people. Let me know if you find them useful or not.
And to send you on your way, here are some pictures of my students at karaoke on Saturday night:
I know you're not meant to have favourite students, but on the right is Đạt, who is in my 12th grade class, and he is ADORABLE!
Anyway, enough about me and my dull evening down-time. And onto the main point of this blog post: questions you guys have been asking me.
On the i-to-i Chalkboard Forum, I told people they were more than welcome to inbox me any questions they have about Vietnam and to my surprise, people actually took me up on that offer. I've had quite a few messages from people, and a lot of them seem to ask similar things. So I decided to do this blog post, and see if I can answer some of them.
Today, I got a message from Annabelle (hi there!) with a few questions in, and so I'll use hers as an example =)
"1. Insurance? What did you do? and what would you recommend?"
As far as insurance goes, I got mine with FOGG, through i-to-i. I shopped around a bit before hand, but couldn't find any other policies that specifically covered you for travel and work at a reasonable price. It's also simple to sort out, with a quick phonecall to i-to-i.
"2. What would you recommend I prioritize in my 'requests' when applying? - Location/Number of people at placement/ Age of kids?"
When I applied for the internship, I didn't specify a location, or the number of people at my placement. I would rather not have been alone, and was told by TTV that I would be placed with at least one other person. My preferences for age were (in order from what I wanted most, to least): Primary, Kindergarten, High School, University. I ended up with High School, but I'm not disappointed. In fact, I'm ecstatic to be working with older kids. I think I actually like it better than teaching younger children.
The main thing to remember is: even if you put down specific preferences, it's not guaranteed that you'll get them. So head into it with an open mind. You may be surprised.
"3. What happens money-wise? Do I need to get organised with a cashcard...?"
I came to Vietnam with my debit card from the UK, and about US$300. Because things are so cheap, I barely spent any money! I bought my card for emergencies. When you withdraw cash from an ATM here, they usually charge you. And of course, your bank may charge you for using your card abroad as well, so keep that in mind.
As for paying for things here: everywhere deals in cash. It's very rare for people to use a card to pay for anything, and some places won't have the facilities to use a card. I get my wages paid to me in cash. I will be opening a Vietnamese bank account at some point, but only because I intend to stay here. I don't think it's a necessity if you are only staying 5-6 months.
"4. Is there anything I should be asking for for christmas - a wish list type thing!?"
Girls: stock up on makeup, like foundation and powder, because it will be hard to find stuff pale enough here (especially if you're stupidly white like me). I'd also recommend bringing tampons, as they can be hard to find.
If your family want to help you by buying you things for Vietnam for Christmas, ask them for practical stuff like: a mosquito net, smart clothes for teaching, maybe a travel hairdryer or iron.
"5. Are there any cultural taboos I should know about?"
The biggest things I can think of are as follows:
- When beckoning for someone to come towards you, do not do so with your palm facing upwards, as this is essentially telling that person you want to sleep with them. Instead, turn your palm downwards, and make a sweeping gesture towards yourself.
- Women don't smoke here, and it's seen as very rude for them to do so.
- Touching a child's head (when you don't know them) is seen as rude.
- Always take your shoes off when entering someone's house.
- Public displays of affection, or PDAs are kinda a no-no. Although you do see young, Vietnamese couples sneaking a few kisses in parks after dark.
"6. Are there any books I should read? Experiences I should try and get before arriving?""
Before I came here, I read:
- The Rough Guide to Vietnam: much better than the Lonely Planet's guide. Very informative and interesting. This is a must buy.
- The Quiet American by Graham Greene: "Into the intrigue and violence of Indochina (Vietnam) comes Pyle, a young idealistic American sent to promote democracy through a mysterious 'Third Force'. As his naive optimism starts to cause bloodshed, his friend Fowler, a cynical foreign correspondent, finds it hard to stand aside and watch. But even as he intervenes he wonders why: for the sake of politics, or for love?"
- The Lover by Marguerite Duras: "Two outcasts--an adolescent French girl and her Chinese lover--struggle to be together during the waning days of the colonial period in Indochina (Vietnam)."
I also watched these films:
- Indochine
- Apocalypse Now
- The Deer Hunter
As for experiences: Practice with chopsticks. See if you can find a Vietnamese restaurant near you, and try some of the food. Find out more about the American war. Get some knowledge of K-pop (your students will love you for it - focus on Big Bang and Super Junior).
I hope these answers have helped people. Let me know if you find them useful or not.
And to send you on your way, here are some pictures of my students at karaoke on Saturday night:
Tuesday, 16 October 2012
Illness, and what must be culture shock.
Hello boys and girls,
It's a hot, hot day in Vietnam, and I haven't eaten properly in days! I find myself suffering from a complete loss of appetite, meaning I can manage just a few spoonfuls of rice, and then I feel so full I'm almost sick. Everyone is very concerned at the school, and I've had deliveries of cake and milk and medicine to my door by concerned friends with furrowed brows.
Eventually, the worry got to such a level, that I was whisked from my room on Friday night and taken to a doctor friend of the Chairman. She runs a specialist maternity unit, but agreed to see me at short notice. It was a very surreal experience. I had my blood pressure taken as I sat sandwiched between two heavily pregnant Vietnamese women, each with their bellies hooked up to monitor the babies' heartbeats. Then I was given an ultrasound, while a crowd of women stared at my stupidly pale stomach. Odd. Very odd.
I had to be held down when they took blood from my hand, because I really, really hate needles, and started freaking out as she came towards me brandishing one.
I was prescribed medicine to get my stomach back to normal. But sadly, it hasn't worked, and I am still not eating.
Now comes the diagnosis from the Principal and Vice Principal: I'm lonely, suffering from Culture Shock, and need a boyfriend - they're very obsessed with me getting a boyfriend.
I think some of what they say could be true, although it's unusual for me to turn my back on food when I feel sad. I'm definitely a habitual comfort-eater.
Apparently, I'm being taken to another doctor this week some time, and hopefully they'll be able to help me more. And I think taking a translator would be a good idea next time.
As for Culture Shock, I think that I could be suffering from some form of it. I love this country, and the people, and it's not as if I don't want to eat the food. But yes, I do feel lonely sometimes, in the evenings, when I am sat in my room and realise... I don't have any friends that live close by, and I don't speak enough Vietnamese to make local friends...
It can be frustrating. BUT, I am learning more Vietnamese as time goes on, and I am absolutely determined to master it. I hope this 'not eating' thing goes away soon, because I'm craving some noodles and prawns in spicy sauce!
It's a hot, hot day in Vietnam, and I haven't eaten properly in days! I find myself suffering from a complete loss of appetite, meaning I can manage just a few spoonfuls of rice, and then I feel so full I'm almost sick. Everyone is very concerned at the school, and I've had deliveries of cake and milk and medicine to my door by concerned friends with furrowed brows.
Eventually, the worry got to such a level, that I was whisked from my room on Friday night and taken to a doctor friend of the Chairman. She runs a specialist maternity unit, but agreed to see me at short notice. It was a very surreal experience. I had my blood pressure taken as I sat sandwiched between two heavily pregnant Vietnamese women, each with their bellies hooked up to monitor the babies' heartbeats. Then I was given an ultrasound, while a crowd of women stared at my stupidly pale stomach. Odd. Very odd.
I had to be held down when they took blood from my hand, because I really, really hate needles, and started freaking out as she came towards me brandishing one.
I was prescribed medicine to get my stomach back to normal. But sadly, it hasn't worked, and I am still not eating.
Now comes the diagnosis from the Principal and Vice Principal: I'm lonely, suffering from Culture Shock, and need a boyfriend - they're very obsessed with me getting a boyfriend.
I think some of what they say could be true, although it's unusual for me to turn my back on food when I feel sad. I'm definitely a habitual comfort-eater.
Apparently, I'm being taken to another doctor this week some time, and hopefully they'll be able to help me more. And I think taking a translator would be a good idea next time.
As for Culture Shock, I think that I could be suffering from some form of it. I love this country, and the people, and it's not as if I don't want to eat the food. But yes, I do feel lonely sometimes, in the evenings, when I am sat in my room and realise... I don't have any friends that live close by, and I don't speak enough Vietnamese to make local friends...
It can be frustrating. BUT, I am learning more Vietnamese as time goes on, and I am absolutely determined to master it. I hope this 'not eating' thing goes away soon, because I'm craving some noodles and prawns in spicy sauce!
Monday, 17 September 2012
FOOD (and drinks, too).
If there's anything I love more than food, it's... Well, actually I don't think I do love anything more than food!
As I've mentioned before, I'm a pescetarian (like a vegetarian, but I eat fish) and this has been a struggle for me in Vietnam. I want any other vegetarians thinking of coming here to know how difficult it has been, but not to be put off! There are ways around the lack of veggie food in schools!
This is an example if a standard lunchtime or dinner time meal at my school:
It consists of rice, cucumber, and fried fish. Once they knew I liked fish, they began serving it every day. One can grow tired of it, to be honest. The lack of communication between me and the kitchen staff (they speak no English, I speak no Vietnamese) has made it hard to say to them, "Hey, I like fish, but could I have tofu tomorrow?". I have made a list of the foods I can - and like to - eat, and this has made things a little easier. The past few days, we've been given really delicious homemade soup. There's been tomato, carrot, sweet potato - I've been in heaven! A couple of evenings, I even came down to the canteen to find chips. Sweet, sweet, potato, how I miss you!
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that communication is key. If you are vegetarian, or pescetarian, or even just a fussy eater, write a list for the kitchen staff at your school. They'll really appreciate it. After all, they just want to please you, and make sure you're happy.
You may find yourself craving Western food. I didn't think I would, but I really have. Amazingly, we found a fantastic little Italian place in the heart of District 1, slap bang in the middle of the Backpacker's area (Bui Vien and De Tham). It was love at first sight when I saw the extensive vegetarian section.
Vegetable Lasagna:
But of course, the meat-eaters weren't left out either, with these delicious dishes:
Chilli Con Carne:
Minestrone Soup:
I don't know about you, but my mouth is watering just looking at them!
Now that I'm done salivating, let me introduce to you another love of mine: cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee, with condensed milk.
It may not look like much, but boy is this drink delicious. The idea of condensed milk in coffee set my teeth on edge at first, but from the first time I tried it, I was hooked. It's super-tasty, strong enough to give you a good boost in the morning, and nice and cold for a hot afternoon in a coffee-shop.
I think the best cà phê sữa đá I've had in Vietnam so far was at the house of the school Chairman, but for a very close second, there's Pressio, a coffee shop literally around the corner from TTV's office in Saigon.
Here are directions:
- Walk out of the campus and turn left at the Security booth
- Walk along the road, and turn left again at Lotteria
- Continue down this street until you see a bright green coffee shop on your left
- Stop, buy, enjoy.
Another great place to get a drink is a chain called Highlands Coffee. There's a big one right near Ben Thanh Market in District 1, and you can get gorgeous drinks like these:
They're not horrendously pricey (from about 40.000VND) and are a wonderful treat, especially if you've been traipsing around the market, looking for bargains.
So there we have it. Some food, some drink. All delicious. =)
PS. Look out for these things:
They're highly addictive, and I cannot be held responsible if you find yourself binging on a whole box now and again (I know that I did)!
As I've mentioned before, I'm a pescetarian (like a vegetarian, but I eat fish) and this has been a struggle for me in Vietnam. I want any other vegetarians thinking of coming here to know how difficult it has been, but not to be put off! There are ways around the lack of veggie food in schools!
This is an example if a standard lunchtime or dinner time meal at my school:
It consists of rice, cucumber, and fried fish. Once they knew I liked fish, they began serving it every day. One can grow tired of it, to be honest. The lack of communication between me and the kitchen staff (they speak no English, I speak no Vietnamese) has made it hard to say to them, "Hey, I like fish, but could I have tofu tomorrow?". I have made a list of the foods I can - and like to - eat, and this has made things a little easier. The past few days, we've been given really delicious homemade soup. There's been tomato, carrot, sweet potato - I've been in heaven! A couple of evenings, I even came down to the canteen to find chips. Sweet, sweet, potato, how I miss you!
I guess what I'm trying to say here is that communication is key. If you are vegetarian, or pescetarian, or even just a fussy eater, write a list for the kitchen staff at your school. They'll really appreciate it. After all, they just want to please you, and make sure you're happy.
You may find yourself craving Western food. I didn't think I would, but I really have. Amazingly, we found a fantastic little Italian place in the heart of District 1, slap bang in the middle of the Backpacker's area (Bui Vien and De Tham). It was love at first sight when I saw the extensive vegetarian section.
Vegetable Lasagna:
But of course, the meat-eaters weren't left out either, with these delicious dishes:
Chilli Con Carne:
Minestrone Soup:
I don't know about you, but my mouth is watering just looking at them!
Now that I'm done salivating, let me introduce to you another love of mine: cà phê sữa đá (Vietnamese iced coffee, with condensed milk.
It may not look like much, but boy is this drink delicious. The idea of condensed milk in coffee set my teeth on edge at first, but from the first time I tried it, I was hooked. It's super-tasty, strong enough to give you a good boost in the morning, and nice and cold for a hot afternoon in a coffee-shop.
I think the best cà phê sữa đá I've had in Vietnam so far was at the house of the school Chairman, but for a very close second, there's Pressio, a coffee shop literally around the corner from TTV's office in Saigon.
Here are directions:
- Walk out of the campus and turn left at the Security booth
- Walk along the road, and turn left again at Lotteria
- Continue down this street until you see a bright green coffee shop on your left
- Stop, buy, enjoy.
Another great place to get a drink is a chain called Highlands Coffee. There's a big one right near Ben Thanh Market in District 1, and you can get gorgeous drinks like these:
They're not horrendously pricey (from about 40.000VND) and are a wonderful treat, especially if you've been traipsing around the market, looking for bargains.
So there we have it. Some food, some drink. All delicious. =)
PS. Look out for these things:
They're highly addictive, and I cannot be held responsible if you find yourself binging on a whole box now and again (I know that I did)!
Friday, 14 September 2012
How to cross a Saigon street, and other survival tips.
(originally posted here on i-to-i's Chalkboard forum.)
It's a balmy 35 degrees outside, and I'm desperately trying not to move too much, with my air-con on full blast. Despite the heat, it's pretty grey outside, as the heavens are about to open for our regular, afternoon monsoon. And even from inside, I can hear the tooting of motorbike horns.
You may or may not know that pretty much everyone in Vietnam has a motorbike. And I'm really not exaggerating! It's even more so the case in Saigon, which is already a sprawling, busy metropolis full of bicycles, street-vendors, coaches and the occasional car. The motorbikes weave in and out of this colourful streetlife, carrying everything from crates of live chickens, to a whole tree (I really saw this!).
As you can imagine, this makes crossing the road no mean feat! When I first arrived in Saigon, I was both terrified and awed by the traffic. And I knew that crossing a road on my own for the first time would feel like a major achievement. There are zebra crossings in Saigon, but nobody really pays them any attention. There are also traffic lights (rarely looked at) and clear pedestrian areas, like the pavement (ignored). Here, it seems, the motorbike is the law.
When you first pluck up the courage to edge to the side of a road, it can seem as if there is no way across - I imagine it's similar to how they may have felt before Moses parted the sea. But you just have to get to the other side, for a bahn mi, or a museum, or just because your friends are there. And so you just have to go with it.
I find the best way is to wait for a slight gap in traffic - this may be just a few seconds - and step out, sort of wandering slowly into the road. Slow and steady is the way to go, so that motorbike riders can both see you, and have the opportunity to weave around you. Cars and taxis, however, won't be so easy to manouvre, and you might find yourself narrowly avoiding being clipped by them. Just be aware of your surroundings, keep one eye on the goal, and go for it!
A few other words of advice:
- Handbag stealing: It does happen! Make sure you bring a shoulder bag with you, that you can wear across your whole body, and try to have it on your side that's facing away from the road. And girls, I know it seems annoying (especially if it ruins your outfit), but it's practical, safe, and much better than being dragged along the ground by a wannabe thief on a motorbike (which did happen to a friend of mine - she was okay, a scraped knee and ripped leggings was the only damage). Please, please be careful!
- Don't drink the tap water: Seriously. Don't! Bottled water is really cheap, so don't take the risk. Also, when getting drinks out and about, only accept ice if you are sure it's made from bottled water (most cafes and bars will do this, but watch out for street vendors). The tap water here can make you really poorly, and you definitely don't want that when trying to teach kids!
- Stares: In central Saigon (District 1), you won't get stared at so much. But be prepared for when you get to your placement! Even though I'm placed in Saigon, I'm 45 minutes from the centre. Here, people stare at us when we walk down the street, and we have been followed around the supermarket by schoolkids. Don't take it offensively. The Vietnamese are a curious, friendly people. Most likely they just want to say hello, and maybe practice their English on you. Give them a wave and a smile. They'll love it!
It's a balmy 35 degrees outside, and I'm desperately trying not to move too much, with my air-con on full blast. Despite the heat, it's pretty grey outside, as the heavens are about to open for our regular, afternoon monsoon. And even from inside, I can hear the tooting of motorbike horns.
You may or may not know that pretty much everyone in Vietnam has a motorbike. And I'm really not exaggerating! It's even more so the case in Saigon, which is already a sprawling, busy metropolis full of bicycles, street-vendors, coaches and the occasional car. The motorbikes weave in and out of this colourful streetlife, carrying everything from crates of live chickens, to a whole tree (I really saw this!).
As you can imagine, this makes crossing the road no mean feat! When I first arrived in Saigon, I was both terrified and awed by the traffic. And I knew that crossing a road on my own for the first time would feel like a major achievement. There are zebra crossings in Saigon, but nobody really pays them any attention. There are also traffic lights (rarely looked at) and clear pedestrian areas, like the pavement (ignored). Here, it seems, the motorbike is the law.
When you first pluck up the courage to edge to the side of a road, it can seem as if there is no way across - I imagine it's similar to how they may have felt before Moses parted the sea. But you just have to get to the other side, for a bahn mi, or a museum, or just because your friends are there. And so you just have to go with it.
I find the best way is to wait for a slight gap in traffic - this may be just a few seconds - and step out, sort of wandering slowly into the road. Slow and steady is the way to go, so that motorbike riders can both see you, and have the opportunity to weave around you. Cars and taxis, however, won't be so easy to manouvre, and you might find yourself narrowly avoiding being clipped by them. Just be aware of your surroundings, keep one eye on the goal, and go for it!
A few other words of advice:
- Handbag stealing: It does happen! Make sure you bring a shoulder bag with you, that you can wear across your whole body, and try to have it on your side that's facing away from the road. And girls, I know it seems annoying (especially if it ruins your outfit), but it's practical, safe, and much better than being dragged along the ground by a wannabe thief on a motorbike (which did happen to a friend of mine - she was okay, a scraped knee and ripped leggings was the only damage). Please, please be careful!
- Don't drink the tap water: Seriously. Don't! Bottled water is really cheap, so don't take the risk. Also, when getting drinks out and about, only accept ice if you are sure it's made from bottled water (most cafes and bars will do this, but watch out for street vendors). The tap water here can make you really poorly, and you definitely don't want that when trying to teach kids!
- Stares: In central Saigon (District 1), you won't get stared at so much. But be prepared for when you get to your placement! Even though I'm placed in Saigon, I'm 45 minutes from the centre. Here, people stare at us when we walk down the street, and we have been followed around the supermarket by schoolkids. Don't take it offensively. The Vietnamese are a curious, friendly people. Most likely they just want to say hello, and maybe practice their English on you. Give them a wave and a smile. They'll love it!
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