Barracuda Bar--February 25th

Comfort in My Own Culture?

It has been a stretching few weeks…stolen motorbike, small accident, and visa issues, but I can still laugh at the strange situations that I find myself. I found out on Thursday evening that the university didn’t know how to renew my visa that expires on Monday so I must go to Thailand in a few days so that I can renew my visa in Bangkok. I was feeling a bit confused and wondering what in the world I was doing here. I craved for the comfort of my own culture at which seemed to be the only thing that made sense. I recently became a member of the American Chamber of Commerce in Hanoi in order to network with American businesses in Vietnam to help provide connections for our students completing their MBA. After finding out about my visa on Thursday night, I rushed over to a “Happy Hour” event for new members. A nice hotel, wine, and professional business people, I thought this could be helpful and an escape from the cultural frustration I was experiencing. I had just finished teaching, so I did a make shift “freshening up” session in the small teaching office mirror, hopped on my Dream II motorbike, and made my way to one of the big hotels in Hanoi. I walked into a room filled with men in black suits, chatting with a glass of wine in one hand and handing out their business cards with another. I felt absolutely out of my comfort zone. I dropped off my coat and Nazi bomber helmet with the concierge, straightened out my skirt and took a few deep breaths. I approached a group of people and began in on the small talk. A Vietnamese man who was probably my age and didn’t know anyone either kept on a good conversation and I was relieved that I wasn’t alone. Later, I was talking with the director of an international bank and he was interested in helping provide internships for my students, so I was really excited. We then began talking about the education system (the one subject that I actually know about in Vietnam) and an older, balding, intoxicated man interrupted our conversation as he stood inches away from me, locked in eye contact, and handed me his card. The man I was talking with was a bit embarrassed, as the newcomer didn’t acknowledge him at all, so he quickly ended his conversation with me and left. This man, a lawyer from Pennsylvania, began talking with me and I tried to listen politely. He talked about his wife and how everyone thinks he needs to get a mistress. As it was getting late, I tried to excuse myself. He grabbed my arm and said, “If you ever want to mess around, just give me a call.” I couldn’t believe it. My first thought was, “Are you serious, grandpa?” and my second was, “Do I look like I’m the kind of girl who would be interested…that maybe I was only invited to this meeting for this very purpose?” I responded by saying, “Oh don’t worry, you don’t need me. There are plenty of Karaoke bars for that,” and I turned and walked away. So I left with better feelings of Vietnam (which I needed due to the past events) and a reminder that my culture isn’t always the haven that I seek.

Baile Baile Gringita

The Sheraton, one of the more expensive hotels in Hanoi, offers salsa dancing on Saturday nights. I went with some of my Vietnamese friends to experience the salsa nightlife in Hanoi. I knew not to get my hopes up, but all in all, I ended up having a great time. I was able to get a lot of dancing in as there were one or two Vietnamese “dance instructors” who were good dancers. It was a bit strange to have so many spectators watching as most preferred to watch rather than dance. To top off the night, we couldn’t end things until a group dance session of the Macarena was in order. Wow…only in Hanoi.

Mrs. Cleaver

This weekend, I had 11 junior highers from the international community at my house for an American breakfast and games. It is great to have a kitchen now and the ability to cook…it is my time to show people how domestic I truly am. Mrs. Cleaver by day and rock star by night…I think I like it. The picture attempts to capture the game, “Human Musical Chairs.”

Kin Long: A child after my own heart

Tet Holiday (Lunar New Year)

Tet Holiday (the Vietnamese New Year celebration according to the Lunar calendar) is three days long. This year, it began on the 29th of January. I had the chance to spend the first day of Tet with Tram and some of the other Vietnamese students in Garden Grove ("Little Saigon" in California), hop on a plane that night for an 18 hour flight to Vietnam, and have a traditional Tet meal with Tram's family in Hanoi on my arrival. It was a whirlwind but wonderful to be able to take part in the festivities both in the States and in Vietnam.




In "Little Saigon," we went to a mall that looks a great deal like one of the shopping centers in Hanoi...same products and everything is in Vietnamese. They had the traditional drums and dragon dance and several women dressed up in ao dai (the traditional Vietnamese dress). There was a big festival that night but by the time we found parking, it was time for me to leave for the airport to catch my flight to Hanoi.



Tram's family was waiting for me at the airport...what a warm welcome. I was able to have a few hours to unpack and receive a few phone calls and visits from students who wanted to wish me "many successes and beauty more and more" before going over to have a special Tet meal with Tram's family and my friend, Scot, from Canada. Tram's family told me that it was extra special to not only to have two foreigners share a Tet meal with them, but who represented two different countries. It was a great evening and I feel lucky to have had the opportunity to spend the holiday with them.