Nineteen weeks

I’m so sorry for my absence, I know it’s been awhile and you deserve better. Since you last read about my latest adventures I have been soaking up all aspects of my new life. Nineteen weeks! I’ve been here for Nineteen weeks!! That’s crazy! I still remember getting off the plane in Saigon, just amazed at the city, and now, it’s my life!

Always good news first I guess. Classes have been good. I have one new class of 9-10 year olds that keep me laughing and my two K classes (5-6 year olds) that keep my heart absolutely happy. I still have my other 9-10 year olds that make me want to pull my hair out but what can I say, 3 out of 4 aint bad. I was covering a senior class the other day and as a warm up game, we played two truths and a lie to get to know each other better. I started off as an example so they could get the gist of it and my three statements were

1. I am 24 2. I am from New Zealand 3. I don’t drive here

One boy, Henry, looks at my three statements and with all the confidence a 13 year old can have, looks me straight in the eyes and says “Teacher there is NO way you are from New Zealand” “Alright little homie” I said, “enlighten me, how am I not from New Zealand” Without skipping a beat he looks me dead in the eyes and says “Teacher, its cause you are white, you can’t be from New Zealand”

Well, what can I say, that stumped me. Does little man even know where New Zealand is? Does he know anything about its History? It’s culture?

I straight up just looked at him and told him to sit down.

It is fair to say the kids keep me on my toes. One day they tell me I am beautiful, the next they tell me I am a potato. It truly is a mixed bag. Apart from school my social life is definitely not lacking. I have an amazing circle of friends both inside and outside of work. Just like home, we have our own little routines. As I work Saturdays and Sunday (at 7.40am might I add) the usual weekend bevies at the pub normally happens on a Sunday night. However as of late I have a new favourite thing about this country, Ladies night.

On Tuesday night at a club called Lush, they have a ladies night. I’m not talking about pink drinks or half price shots; I’m looking at free drinks until midnight. Including Cocktails, spirits and beers if you fancy.

Of course this turns into more of a challenge than promotion. This week’s dabble turned into a real dozy. After my quota of free gin and juices and the clock struck 12, like Cinderella me and my girls were out of the club and on our usual seats at a bar in the backpacker’s street.

With my back teeth floating I had tunnel vision and needed to head to the bathroom ASAP. With my partial impairment weighing me down, I took a bit of a tumble. As the only thing I can seem to commit to is my own self destruction I manage to pull a 2 4 1 deal and roll not one but both of my ankles. Now I’m left hobbling around like a complete invalid. Yet every cloud has its silver lining... Tuesday isn’t far away!

The next bit contains a bit of distressing content, so please be aware of that! I’ve had my bike for a month and have been driving everywhere. I have no qualms and am so used to the traffic now. However one thing has shaken me to my core. On the way to my Wednesday quiz night I took my usual route, through the alley, up the bridal street, straight through one intersection and then a left turn at the second intersection, then it’s a home run to District 1. As I was coming to my second turn it was a stop light. So I waited and when the light turned green I crept forward. In the middle of the intersection there were a few people standing around a bike that looked like it crashed- something not unusual here. So I made sure I passed them slowly to not add insult to injury. And that’s when I saw him. A man, around the age of 50-60. Lying on the ground, blood all over his face and a bigger pile behind his head. The bystanders had placed a rolled up t-shirt under his head but no other effort had been made to stop the bleeding. No one was panicking; no one was comforting him at all. I glance down at him; lying in the fetal position he had the slightest smile on his face. That’s when it all clicked. The reason why no one was panicked, the reason why he wasn’t being comforted. The face that I saw was not one of a man in pain, but one of those who has passed. This doesn’t sink in until I am up the way a little. I pull over take some breaths to compose myself and I am back on my way. It was mad; there was no other way to describe it. I have been quiet lucky in the sense that up until that point in my life I have never seen tragedy like that in real life. I have seen death; I have experienced loss but never in such a raw and exposed way. It was a real shock. That’s a bit heavy and I didn’t want to leave on that note. The next few weeks are really exciting. My parents are here soon! Just after they leave I’m meeting some of my closets mates in Japan for a weekend then showing them the bright lights of Ho Chi Minh City. Then if I wasn’t spoiled with love from my friends enough another really close pal that I haven’t seen in over a year is also popping over for a visit. Don’t get me wrong, I have mates here, really good mates and I love me lifestyle here but nothing can ever take the place of your day one friends. The ones that have seen you in every aspect. High school, university, relationships and heartache. These are the friends that have been there for me and I cannot wait to reunite with them. The fact that my parents are going to be here is even better. For them to see me truly in my element. I know they thought it was touch and go for awhile there. The 4am hysterical crying phone calls probably didn’t help that. That’s all for now! I already have another post in the works so watch this space! Until then, make good choices and for the sake of the world... please recycle!