Little midnight surprise trip

Hello everyone,


I have been planning and preparing this long post about some Vietnamese cultural habits I have come across in here, but after last night I feel like I need to write about the last two days first.

As I mentioned before, I had the plan to go to Hai Phong, the 4th biggest city in Vietnam, at the start of the week. Waking up on Monday to find out that my friend wouldn't be able to join me after all, I decided to postpone my trip for another day. I was talking with my manager in the evening and he said that our Hai Phong branch is in a need of help as one of their teachers has just left, and that they need a substitute for one of their high schools on the next morning at 7 am. I considered this for less than a minute, I had been planning on going to Hai Phong anyway, and took up the opportunity.

After a quick ride home and some packing, I headed to the high way where I stopped a random bus and hopped on it. The ride down to Hai Phong was exciting because I love driving around in the dark. The bus costs 60 000 dong (though they will always try to rip off tourists), they asked me for more money as well but it is quite easy to brush the workers off once it is clear that you know how much you should be paying.

I met the local manager at the central bus stop and we rode to my hotel. I was given the lesson materials for the rest of the week, and a xe om ride for the next morning at 6.30 am was organised. Xe om is Vietnamese and stands for a motor hug which means a motorbike taxi ride.

So happily, using the roosters as an alarm, I got up at 5.45 am and headed to work. I must say it was almost refreshing to be up so early, last two months have allowed me sleep in a lot as the schedules have not been that hectic. It was lovely to ride to work through the busy streets of Hai Phong, people were opening shops and having breakfast on the streets.

The school I was teaching at is a local public high school. In the morning I had three classes with grade elevens. We were talking about illiteracy. I was personally happy with the topic because I felt like it is easy for me to add some of the international aspect to the topic. My first class was a little bit more quiet, we didn't immediately fall onto the same page, but the two lasts ones went great. I feel that the students really liked me and that I have found a teaching method that (usually) works and that I feel comfortable with.

Hai Phong seems fun, it is much bigger than Ha Long and more lively. There are more foreign people here so I am glad that all the staring and picture taking will cool down for a bit. I am meeting up with my manager for lunch, and after I have a few more classes to teach. I believe we are headed out for dinner later as a group.

Pictures following as soon as I am able to snap some !


Loads of love,


Mira