I MADE IT! To get to Danang, one must take three flights--the first a painful fifteen hours to Hong Kong followed by two shorter jaunts from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City and then on to Danang. I must admit, although I love to travel, in recent years I have become averse to flying; something about recycled air, cramped leg space, and sudden bouts of turbulence disrupts the illusion of understanding and control that keeps me buoyed on terra firma. However, a handful of Ativan and Valerian Root capsules later, I can proudly say that I not only made it through all three flights, but also ENJOYED them! I knew immediately that my pre-trip anxieties and the long journey were worth the trouble when we were greeted at the airport by the program staff with big smiles and the gift of a single rose. (Note: I realize that I have yet to specify the "we" I am talking about. There are three students on the program, myself included. Brendan and Rob both go to school at Brockport and have been really great travel companions thus far!)


A Picture of Hong Kong from the Plane


While in Danang, we live in the lovely program house, fully equipped with all modern luxuries with the added bonuses of wonderful Vietnamese cooking and the persistent humming and honks of motorbikes, the main mode of transportation in Vietnam. The location of our house is ideal, as it is situated on a quiet street right off of a main artery of the city. My room faces the front of the house and there is even a little balcony where I can sit and watch people doing their morning exercises around the small lake across the street. The Vietnamese wake up very early, around 5 am, and tend to go to sleep early as well. As far as this cultural tendency relates to my people watching habit, it makes my room's location enjoyable but also bearable as the noise of friends talking and laughing at the cafe outside my window seems to die down around midnight, allowing me to drift off into much needed sleep.


The View from my Window

Although I have only been here a short time, it feels much longer because every day has been filled with new and exciting experiences. On the first day after we arrived, we took a tour of the city and visited a pagoda with a towering statue of the Buddha. I really hope that I can learn more about Buddhism while I am here, as it is the predominant religion of the country and an integral part of the Vietnamese way of life. After changing some money at a jewelry store (a mere fifty dollars has made me a rich woman in Vietnamese Dong!), we went to a local market to buy some fruit. I have discovered a newfound love for all of the strange fruits here, especially dragon fruit, but decided to play it safe by purchasing some familiar looking apples. In the afternoon, we went to the beach, which is about a ten-minute ride from the house, and swam in water so warm it felt like an infinitely reaching hot tub. Forbes Magazine has rated the beach in Danang as one of the top beaches in the world and with its breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains, I can clearly see why. The beachfront is practically untouched by hi-rise resort hotels and I really hope it remains this way in the future. At night, we went with a group of Vietnamese friends to a place called the Bamboo Bar, a well-worn hangout popular with foreigners.


The Beach!

All who know me well will not be surprised that on my second day in Vietnam, I visited a used clothing store where I picked up some new clothes with the help of my friends, Thao and Map. Meeting people here is effortless because almost everyone I have encountered in Danang thus far is eager to ensure that you are enjoying their country. In the past few days, I have met some of the most caring and generous people in the world, people who are willing to share not only their time but also their personal belongings, their knowledge of the city, and a good laugh. I find that their openness and desire to include foreigners in their daily lives with no hesitation or reservations has inspired me to accept every new (and sometimes scary!) opportunity that comes my way, like bike riding in treacherous traffic, eating seafood (my dad always told me that if I started eating shrimp, I would have to pay him a dollar for each shrimp I ate. Dad, I think I will have to pay you in Vietnamese Dong not Dollars!), or visiting an ornate pagoda overlooking the sea. This list is only just a brief summary of all of the adventures I am having, but I hope it gives at least a little taste of what life is like over here. Class starts tomorrow, so for now, I am relishing my last day of summer!


Lady Buddha Statue at the Pagoda


Thao and Map