More training.... and scootering in Saigon

Calm down, calm down, I'm still alive. Sorry it's been awhile team! Life has been hectic! Since we last talked I came back from my wee trip and spent 4 days in a hotel, then moved in to my new spot and let me tell you! She is nice!!! Its modern, has three separate aircon's and a shower with amazing pressure! But we all know a beautiful flat isn't the reason I moved to Ho Chi Minh City. Teaching... about that... MORE TRAINING FIRST The company i work for (ILA) required me to do a full week (7 days for those a little confused) of additional training and boy was it draining. It was very similar to the TESOL course I had just completed just different language which was hard to get my head around. Apart from that, the days were average and I just wanted to crack into teaching to be honest! My very first class is on Tuesday afternoon! I'm teaching the "Jumpstarts". At ILA the classes are broken up into the following groups Jumpstarts Super Juniors Smart teens Adults Jumpstarts are the youngest and range from 4-6 and they are pretty damn cute! I'm looking forward to it but it's fair to say I'm pretty nervous! I'm still completely and utterly in love with my new city. Honestly words cannot describe how happy and at peace I am. Anyone that can come out I highly recommend it! Whether we are close or not I will be your guide because I want you to see the city how I see the city. Like a tall dark and handsome man, I am head over heels. Apart from life inside a classroom monsoon season is well and truley in full swing and every single day the heavens open up and boy does it rain! Only for 30 minutes, but the volume of rain is unbelievable! Its quiet beautiful to watch from inside my beautiful apartment, not so good on the back of a motorcycle. I learnt that lesson the hard and wet way. But speaking of motorcycles that is the next thing on my list. Ya girl is getting a new ride. As terrifying as the streets of Vietnam are, it is time. This is going to be my home for at LEAST the next year, I might as well start now! The road rules of Vietnam are non-existent and licences aren't really a thing here. Pulled over by a police officer will set you back 500,000 dong ($30) and you will be on your way, however you will only get pulled over once every 3 or 4 months so not too bad! Keep your eyes peeled for that installment (or my obituary in the paper 😂) to see how that adventure goes! But learn to crawl before you run and all that! So I signed up for lesson. They give you a bike, teach you the basics then you are on your own on the streets of Saigon! You do follow the instructor around but it's you in control! And surprisingly it wasn't as scary as I thought it would be! Being here for nearly two months, on the back of a bike every day did help with that though! The most important thing is no sudden movements and keeping focused. At the end of the day no one wants to crash into you. With that in mind and my hour behind the bars I'm ready to get a ride!!! A bike here will set you back anywhere between 2,000,000 - 10,000,000 dong ($128-$640 NZD). You do have the option to rent for about 1,500,000 per month which includes all the servicing and what not but its about weighing up your options. Since I'm here for a year (and honestly considering longer!) It would probably be best for me to invest in a bike to own. That way when I do leave, if I leave, I can sell it and get some money back. We get paid monthly so when the 10th of the month rolls around, watch this space!! In the wise words of Mr Gump, that's all I have to say about that. Till next time my loves, stay safe, enjoy life and save the planet 😉