Day #5 - Learning Vietnamese

Vietnamese flag

Today it was a day about Vietnam culture and language, learning, learning, learning!! I had an introduction to the program that I am going to work on and also I joined another program on my free time here - all good then.

In the morning I had orientation on Vietnamese culture. Things like Lotus is Vietnamese national flower, that we cannot use white hairband because it's only used in funerals, we cannot stick the chopsticks in rice because means bad luck; we cannot point our feet to sanctuary because is bad luck. Taking pictures of a group of three or a pregnant woman is bad luck (in the group of three it is really bad if you are the one in the middle). Wearing red is a synonym of luck; the Vietnamese flag is composed of red for all the blood shed by the vietnamese to be independent and the golden star is because gold means royal. So many... many, many more things.

I have learned Vietnamese basics and I already practiced when I went shopping for some clothes. It's really nice to be able to say some words to the locals. For example, Portugal in Vietnamese is Tay Ban Nha. How cool is that?? Do you want to know my name? Tên tôi là Juliana!! I am loving this. I can't wait to start using a bit more of these words. 

The program that I have applied for was in the Children Hospital, however as this program is only in the afternoon I asked if I could help in other program in the mornings, so I am going to do community classes. I will help the University students that want to learn English but can't afford it. I am actually looking forward to it. I think it would be great to do this. Language barrier is the worst and I think I can also use this program to learn a bit of Vietnamese. Win - Win for me and hopefully the students will also learn something.

After all this information I went shopping with my colleagues. Working in Vietnam means that you cannot wear anything above your knees, so I went for quick shopping. In Vietnam one of the first things they mention to you is bargain, you need to bargain. Well, I had my first attempt and I failed miserably. Better, I didn't even try. The lady said the price and I paid. This is as much as I bargained. But to be honest, I paid less that 2 pounds for a pair of trousers, so I think it was not a rip off - I can live with this.   

After the shopping we went again for bia in the same bar. You know when you are in your home town and you go to the same bar and the waiter already knows who you are and what you want?? This is exactly the same. The waiter comes to us, knows you want beer, sets up the table and place for you. Don't get over excited. This is a plastic table and chairs on the side walk, but is just cool!! Once the beer finishes I look around to ask for more and as I couldn't find the waiter I just hold the empty bottle of beer and everyone in the bar sees me and start to ask for the waiter to come to see us, and a group of man just say "bring more beer!!", they say it in English. Was just so nice and funny. Everyone is super friendly on the street. They see us and say hi even not knowing us. They just want to say hi to us and wave. I admit that I feel a little like fish in aquarium, being watched all the time but who doesn't want to be called "beautiful" while walking on the street, every once in a while?? And oh, I saw a guy with Portuguese jersey number 9! I have no clue of which player is number 9 but it's good to see that we also have fans around here. I thought on telling him that I was Portuguese, but my Vietnamese skills are not quite there... unfortunately!

Bia @ Tom's bar

I am still trying to get used to some things and there is a couple that I want to try. I want to try bubble tea, egg coffee and sugar cane juice. I am still thinking if I am going to try any of the dog, cat, snake, rat, grass hopper or the eggs that are half egg half duck specialties - I have to say that I am more keen to not to try than the opposite. It's just too hard to think of any of this as delicious food. Apparently, Vietnamese only eat Vietnamese dog. I am not sure what this means but apparently if you have a "crazy" neighbor, he can steal your dog and cook it. Humm, I am still not sure about this one, but I haven't put completely aside yet... However, if you live next to a Vietnamese and you have a dog I advise you to keep your dog shut. You never know if your neighbor gets too upset and might just cook your dog for Sunday lunch (I need more time to absorb this information).

The food? well the food today was just delicious, I have tried the spring rolls in the Vietnamese restaurant in Birmingham but is nothing like this and I also tried the best pineapple ever. It was just perfect. The other volunteers are complaining a bit because they are fed up with Vietnamese food but I have to say that so far, everything is delicious and I am looking forward to try the next meal... and the next... and the next. 

I am also planning to visit the famous caves the weekend after, and other volunteer want to come as well. I came by myself to Vietnam but since I landed in Hanoi I haven't spent much time alone, which is quite cool.

Tomorrow I am going to visit the Hospital where I will work. I am going to work with children with kidney disease. I don't know if I can say this, this way... but I am really looking forward to start. :)